Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse W463
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
500–630 PS
5.5L V12 BiTurbo Benzin
V12 BiTurbo in a Military Box — Maximum Absurdity
Legendary!136–177 PS
3.0L R6 Diesel Diesel
7 weaknesses
Good Choice525–585 PS
5.5L V8 BiTurbo Benzin
11 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse W463 is available with 15 engine variants — from 94 to 630 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Mercedes-Benz G 250 GD (Diesel, 94 PS) has the OM602 (2.5L R5 Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 300 CDI (Diesel, 250 PS) has the OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 300 TD (Diesel, 177 PS) has the OM606 (3.0L R6 Diesel) — rated: "Good Choice", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 320 CDI (Diesel, 224 PS) has the OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC (Diesel, 286 PS) has the OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 350 d (Diesel, 245 PS) has the OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 350 Turbo D (Diesel, 136 PS) has the OM603 (3.0L R6 Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 400 CDI (Diesel, 250 PS) has the OM628 (4.0L V8 CDI) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG G 55 (Benziner, 500 PS) has the M113 (4.3-5.4L V8) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 (Benziner, 544 PS) has the M157 (5.5L V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 11 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG G 65 (Benziner, 612 PS) has the M279 (6.0L V12 BiTurbo AMG) — rated: "Be Careful", 12 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 320 (Benziner, 210–215 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M104 (1994–1997, Be Careful) und M112 (1997–2000, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the G 320!
The Mercedes-Benz G 500 (Benziner, 296 PS) has the M113 (4.3-5.4L V8) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG Kompressor (Benziner, 507 PS) has the M113K (5.4L V8 Kompressor) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz G 65 AMG (Benziner, 612 PS) has the M275 (5.5L V12 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 9 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Window frames and lower door edges rust heavily The W463 rusts structurally at window frames (not painted inside from the factory), lower door edges and sills. This problem runs through all model years up to 2018. Symptoms: Rust bubbles at doors and window frames, rust at sill-to-B-pillar transition, paint flaking off from 120,000 km | High | |
| Ladder frame corrosion at spring seats The steel ladder frame corrodes at spring seats and cross-members. The double-shell construction is insufficiently sealed and traps moisture. Symptoms: Rust on frame members underneath the vehicle, material loss at spring seats from 150,000 km | High | |
| Rust on window frames and tailgate Window frames are not painted on the inside from the factory and rust heavily. Tailgate and frame sections rust due to missing factory treatment. Full rust treatment up to 7,600 EUR. Symptoms: Rust at window rubbers and surrounds, paint blistering on tailgate, rust on frame sections below doors | High |
Alternatives
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 105 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse W463 (1990–2018) — 98 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 3 problem engines: OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel), M157 (5.5L V8 BiTurbo), M275 (5.5L V12 BiTurbo). Typical issues affect Rust, Suspension, Electronics. Considered reliable: OM606 (3.0L R6 Diesel).
G-Klasse (OM602, 1990–1992) — Be Careful: Bosch VE pump: fuel leak in cold weather, Glow plugs seized in head, Head Gasket Leaks Due to Head Warp. Power: 94 PS.
G-Klasse (OM603, 1992–1997) — Be Careful: Chain tensioner: wear leads to engine damage, Vacuum pump: bearing failure with timing chain damage, Vacuum Pump: Radial Shaft Seal Leaking. Power: 136 PS.
G-Klasse (OM628, 2001–2005) — Be Careful: Timing chain and tensioner worn, Bi-turbo failure (right turbocharger preferentially), Coolant loss through cylinder head. Power: 250 PS.
G-Klasse (OM642, 2005–2008) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 224 PS.
G-Klasse (OM642, 2008–2012) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 250 PS.
G-Klasse (OM642, 2010–2018) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 245 PS.
G-Klasse (OM642, 2012–2018) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 286 PS.
G-Klasse (M104, 1994–1997) — Be Careful: Head Gasket Leaking — Coolant Loss, Chain Tensioner Leaking — Oil at Timing Cover, Distributor Cap and Rotor Wear Out. Power: 211–215 PS.
G-Klasse (M112, 1997–2000) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Wiring Harness, Intake Manifold Vacuum Hose Breaks, Valve Cover Gasket and Front Cover Gasket Leaking. Power: 211–215 PS.
G-Klasse (M113, 1998–2008) — Be Careful: Vibration Damper/Pulley — Rubber Hardens, Rear Crankshaft Seal Leaking, Engine Mounts Worn Prematurely. Power: 296 PS.
G-Klasse (M113, 2004–2012) — Be Careful: Vibration Damper/Pulley — Rubber Hardens, Rear Crankshaft Seal Leaking, Engine Mounts Worn Prematurely. Power: 500–507 PS.
G-Klasse (M113K, 2004–2012) — Be Careful: Supercharger Bearings — Wear at High Mileage, Cooling System — Hoses and Thermostat Age, Supercharger Magnetic Clutch — Wear and Slipping. Power: 500–507 PS.
G-Klasse (M157, 2012–2018) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretch — M157 BiTurbo V8, Oil Consumption from Piston Ring Wear, High-Pressure Fuel Pump Fails — No Fuel Pressure. Power: 544 PS.
G-Klasse (M275, 2012–2018) — Stay Away!: Ignition module bank failure (two banks at ~€1,400 each), Turbocharger wear and wastegate wear, ABC hydraulic lines and engine mounts — double defect. Power: 612 PS.
G-Klasse (M279, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Ignition module bank failure — two potted units at ~€1,400 each, Turbocharger bearing wear — full turbo pair replacement, Oil cooler gasket leaking in the V-valley. Power: 612 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee