Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 d
Completely new aluminium diesel with NANOSLIDE coating and integrated particulate filter. Noticeably quieter and cleaner than the OM651. Few typical faults known to date.
GLA 220d — Best GLA Diesel
140 kW OM654 in the GLA H247: strong torque, quiet running and compact SUV format — that is genuine diesel fun.
Engine Weaknesses 11
Known weak point: the narrow camshaft lobes and rocker arms in the OM654 wear prematurely due to inadequate lubrication. Mercedes issued TSBs.
Symptoms: Ticking or knocking from engine bay, misfires, rough running, engine warning light
Over 800,000 Mercedes diesel vehicles with OM654/OM656 were recalled due to a leaking electric coolant pump. Coolant loss can lead to overheating.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, overheating warning, coolant warning light, engine temperature rises
NOx sensors wear out from soot particles and deliver erroneous readings. Consequence: incorrect AdBlue injection, CEL illumination; if unaddressed, an engine start inhibit may follow. Both sensors can be affected.
Symptoms: CEL, AdBlue warning, fault code P20EE or P204F, message 'No start after X km', rough idle
Early OM654 units had overly soft rocker arms. From engine number 80278367 (10/07/2018) a reinforced version A6540505701 was fitted. Older examples may develop camshaft damage.
Symptoms: Clattering or ticking noise in the valvetrain, poor cold start, increased oil consumption, rough idle
Recall (action code 0591016) affects approximately 10,700 vehicles (built 01/2016–02/2021): individual bolts or chain links wear and can cause chain snap with engine damage.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, sudden power loss and engine damage in the event of chain snap, engine warning light
A blocked DPF or coked EGR increases exhaust back pressure. The pressure pushes the turbo shaft axially into the compressor housing, the thrust bearing wears and the turbocharger fails.
Symptoms: Power loss and boost pressure fault, blue smoke from exhaust, whistling from turbocharger, oil leaking from turbo
With predominantly short-trip use the OM654 DPF does not regenerate fully. Leads to oil dilution from stored diesel fuel and premature DPF blockage.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, rising oil level from fuel dilution, power reduction
EGR valve coking up with frequent short-distance use. Clogged passages cause juddering, fault codes and limp mode. Euro 6d exhaust gas recirculation is heavily loaded by design.
Symptoms: Juddering and power loss at part throttle, CEL, increased fuel consumption, rough idle
DPF does not regenerate fully during short-distance driving. Accumulating soot particles lead to warnings, limp mode and, if neglected, filter replacement or engine damage through oil dilution.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, increased fuel consumption, power reduction, engine oil smells of diesel from post-injection
With frequent short-trip driving unburnt fuel enters the engine oil through DPF post-injection. This dilutes the oil, reduces lubrication, and promotes wear in the valve train.
Symptoms: Oil level rising above maximum (oil increase), frequent DPF regeneration cycles, engine warning light, limp mode after aborted regenerations
The OM654 high-pressure injection system operates at up to 2,050 bar. At high mileage or with poor fuel quality, injectors wear and develop quantity errors.
Symptoms: Juddering and knocking, rough idle, starting problems, elevated fuel consumption, in extreme cases cylinder misfires
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
The 8-speed DCT in the GLA H247 occasionally shows jerky gear changes and delayed response when pulling away, particularly on cold starts in the GLA 180 and GLA 200. Problems increase from 50,000–100,000 km.
The reversing camera on the GLA H247 fails from around 30,000 km due to software errors or defective cable connections. Image appears with a delay, flickers or stays black.
On GLA H247 with power tailgate, sensors or actuators fail from around 50,000 km. Tailgate no longer opens or closes automatically.
Rear camera failures reported after 2–3 years or 25,000–40,000 km. Cause is often software errors or faulty cable connections.
GLA H247 with power tailgate shows sensor or drive motor failures from approx. 50,000 km. The tailgate can then no longer be opened or closed electrically.
In the GLA H247 the MBUX system occasionally restarts twice at the start of a journey. Additionally the brake assist and high-beam assist can deactivate themselves.
Like the predecessor X156, H247 owners report annoying wind noise at motorway speeds. Seals at the A-pillar or doors are usually the cause.
Reports & Tests
3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2020–2025). Most reported: Brakes (2), Powertrain (2), Hydraulic (1).