vinkodex.

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 400 d 4MATIC common faults.

2019–2023, SUV, diesel, 330 HP.

The fault list covers: OM656D29RSCR engine, MB7250 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 14 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

critical1

OM654 / OM656: vacuum controlled coolant pump leak, fire risk

critical

On the OM654 and OM656 diesels the maker started a recall over the vacuum controlled coolant pump (maker action code: 2090008). The fault: a leak can develop between the coolant and the vacuum circuit; if coolant reaches the electric switching valves, an electrochemical reaction can raise the temperature of the part, and a fire risk cannot be ruled out.

Show the rest

The fix: replacing the electric switching valve and a software update. The campaign started at the end of 2021; the affected group is the C-Class, E-Class and other OM654/OM656 models.

A recall on the model does not mean it was carried out on this car. Only the franchised dealer can tell you, by VIN.

What to check

  • Ask the franchised dealer by VIN: is action 2090008 OPEN or CLOSED
  • Check the coolant level and look around the vacuum system for leaks
  • Ask for the service sheet: a switching valve replacement plus a software update is part of the campaign
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

OM654 / OM656 diesel: roller finger follower wear and DPF driven oil dilution

expensive

The modern OM654 four cylinder diesel (and the modular OM656 six cylinder) carries two weaknesses on the used market that reinforce each other.

Show the rest

1) Roller finger followers (Rollenschlepphebel). According to the German technical press, on some cars the followers wear early at around 100,000 to 120,000 km. On 10 July 2018 the maker introduced a strengthened follower from engine number 80278367 (new part number A6540505701 in place of the old A6540501100). On early built cars the risk is higher. A faulty follower develops so much heat that the removed metal shows blue discolouration (Anlaufspur).

2) Oil dilution. The post injection needed to regenerate the particulate filter puts diesel fuel into the engine oil. With short urban use the engine does not get warm enough, the fuel does not evaporate, the oil thins out, and the follower and valvetrain are exactly what suffers most from poor lubrication.

The timing chain sits on the gearbox side: if it stretches, the replacement is labour intensive. There are few complaints of a broken chain, but on the early series about 5,000 cars were recalled for a weak chain, and the Tritan 15 coating was changed to Tritan 18.

between 80,000 and 160,000 km

What to check

  • Listen to the engine on a cold start: metallic ticking or rattling from the follower or the chain is suspect
  • Ask for the engine number: cars below 80278367 (before July 2018) are the old follower group
  • Check the service book: how often and with what oil (MB 229.52 is recommended) it was changed. Long intervals plus urban use is the worst pairing
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 400 d 4MATIC

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall14 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 15 March 2024

24V207000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING15 March 2024 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GLE 350, 2020-2024 GLE 450, 2020-2023 GLS 580, GLE 580, 2019-2023 GLS 450, 2021-2023 Maybach GLS 600, AMG GLS 63, 2021-2024 AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 53 Coupe, and AMG GLE 63 S vehicles. A 48-Volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connection overheating.

Risk: An overheated ground connection can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the 48-Volt ground connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024040002.

The authority's notice

24V118000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWAREPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE16 February 2024 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 GLE 450 and GLS 450 vehicles. The transmission may not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.

Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the transmission control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

The authority's notice

23V445000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP26 June 2023 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.

The authority's notice

23V177000VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMVISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM17 March 2023 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, 2021 AMG GLE53, AMG GLE63, Maybach GLS600, AMG GLS63, and 2020 GLE580 vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.

Risk: Water intrusion into the foot wells may cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components, increasing the risk of fire. In addition, the emergency call (eCall) feature may be disabled and the doors may not unlock, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the engine may not start or may enter a limp-home mode, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 21V-288 and 19V-587. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023030014 and 15.

The authority's notice

22V732000SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLYSEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY30 September 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 AMG GLS63, 2020-2022 GLS450 and GLS580 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the locks on the third-row seatbacks may fail in the event of a crash.

Risk: A seat with a seatback lock failure may not properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the third-row seatback, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100011.

The authority's notice

22V680000STRUCTURE:BODYSTRUCTURE:BODY12 September 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, 2021-2022 AMG GLE53, 2020-2021 GLE580, GLS580, and 2021 GLE400e, AMG GLS63, AMG GLE63 S, and Maybach GLS600 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the rear door window trim bars may detach.

Risk: Detached trim bars may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the rear window trim bars, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022090010.

The authority's notice

22V231000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASHELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH8 April 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 GLE450, GLS450, 2021-2022 AMG GLE53, 2020-2021 GLE580, GLS580, 2021 AMG GLE63, Maybach GLS600 and AMG GLS63 vehicles. A ground cable bolt for the 48V ground connection under the front passenger seat may not be secured properly, which can cause the electrical cable to overheat.

Risk: An overheated electrical cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the ground cable bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040017.

The authority's notice

21V832000VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REARVISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR22 October 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 GLE 350, GLE 580, GLS 450, GLS 580, AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 63 S, and AMG GLS 63 S vehicles. The rear window may be insufficiently bonded to the tailgate, which could allow the rear glass to detach.

Risk: Detached rear glass can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear window, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

The authority's notice

21V354000BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERABACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA14 May 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

The authority's notice

20V089000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL14 February 2020 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA250, CLA250 4MATIC and CLA35 AMG 4MATIC, 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLE450 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC and GLS580 4MATIC and 2021 GLE53 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG 4MATIC, GLS63 AMG 4MATIC and Maybach GLS600 4MATIC vehicles. The instrument cluster software may deactivate the illumination of certain interior switches (switch bar, overhead control unit, steering wheel) if the hazard lights are turned on and the ignition switch is in the 'off' position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Risk: If the interior switches are not illuminated, they may be more difficult to find and operate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030019.

The authority's notice

A12/00045/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00149/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Insufficient fastening of the bolts can cause the steering coupling to come loose from the steering spindle. This affects the steering capacity of the vehicle, creating a the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00700/23Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The air conditioner may be faulty, which can lead to short circuits and/or fire. The automatic emergency call (eCall) may fail and the vehicle may not unlock and/or start. The emergency engine operation mode can be activated while driving. These errors create risks of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00754/22Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The bolt for the 48V ground connection under the passenger seat may have been secured with insufficient torque. As a result, the electrical resistance of the connection could increase and the temperature may therefore rise in this area, posing a risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

OM656D29RSCR

210–243 kW (286–330 HP) · diesel

MB7250 · 9G-Tronic, longitudinal (Mercedes 725.0 / NAG3)

automatic · 9 speed

Torque limit700 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
GLS 400 d 4MATIC
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2925 cc
Power
243 kW (330 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2019–2023

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All X167 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms