OM654 vs VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD carries less risk than the OM654: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The OM654 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain wear or breakage (2016 to 2021 units)»; the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)».

Risk index

OM654

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 8 October 202618 sources How we work

Is the OM654 reliable?

The OM654 is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with which Mercedes-Benz replaced the OM651 from 2016, fitted to most of its passenger cars and mid-size vans. It has a reputation for reliability: we found no mechanical faults as serious and widespread as on the brand's earlier diesels, although there were recalls for the timing chain (units from 2016 to 2021) and the coolant pump, and the NOx sensor or AdBlue system fail with some frequency.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the OM654 faults

Is the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD reliable?

The VM Motori 2.8 CRD (four-cylinder) and 3.0 CRD V6 diesels from Jeep, Chrysler and Lancia show no systemic fault in open sources: they describe injector wear, a dirty EGR and a high-mileage turbo, and AUTO BILD says durability complaints about the 3.0 are very rare. The UK DVSA identifies only one engine campaign for the 3.0 (2025).^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of OM654 and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Item	OM654	VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,950 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	—
Power	116–272 hp	150–250 hp
Production	since 2016^[1][2]	2003–2020^{[9][10][11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage (2016 to 2021 units) Critical severity: Leak in the vacuum-operated coolant pump (overheating risk) High severity: Wear of the turbocharger and charge-air intercooler	High severity: Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD) Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hoses
Most expensive documented repair	up to €850NOx sensor failure and SCR/AdBlue system warningsPublished figure^[4][15]	up to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure^[16][17]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	OM654 first generation (2016-2021)^[3][4] OM654 M, with 48 V mild hybrid (since 2021)^[3][4][15]	2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)^[5][16] 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)^[5][18] 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)^[5][18] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)^[6][8] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)^[6][7]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

OM654

See the 9 models with the OM654

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 10 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Other comparisons

With the OM654

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Mercedes-Benz OM654 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes-Benz OM 654Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253): Alle typischen Probleme & MängelGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mercedes Classe E (2016-2023)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 con kilometraje: se puede comprar, pero con maticesZa Rulyom (zr.ru) · Motoring press · published 28 April 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiabilité Mercedes GLC (2015-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German