OM654 vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the OM654: 39/100 (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 D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

OM654

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

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 5 October 202612 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 D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of OM654 and D5 5 cilindros
Item	OM654	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,950 cm³	2,400 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–272 hp	126–215 hp
Production	since 2016^[1][2]	2001–2015^{[8][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical 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	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €850NOx sensor failure and SCR/AdBlue system warningsPublished figure^[4][12]	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[7]
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][12]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[5][6] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[5][6] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[6][11]
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

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the OM654

With the D5 5 cilindros

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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
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Fiabilité Mercedes GLC (2015-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French