SiriusXM favourites no longer accessible
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2026 CLE 450
SiriusXM favourites no longer accessible
Hi all,
Looking to confirm whether this is a known MBUX software issue or something specific to my vehicle.
Vehicle: 2026 Mercedes-Benz (W214) (latest-gen MBUX)
When I first picked up the car, SiriusXM favourites worked correctly:
Current behaviour:
Dealer response so far has been inconclusive — they are questioning whether SiriusXM favourites are supposed to appear in the global favourites list or be scrollable via the steering wheel, but this functionality definitely worked on day one.
Looking to confirm whether this is a known MBUX software issue or something specific to my vehicle.
Vehicle: 2026 Mercedes-Benz (W214) (latest-gen MBUX)
When I first picked up the car, SiriusXM favourites worked correctly:
- XM channels could be saved as favourites
- SiriusXM favourites appeared in the main favourites list
- I could scroll only through my XM favourites using the steering wheel controls while in SiriusXM mode
Current behaviour:
- SiriusXM channels can still be added as favourites
- They appear correctly within the SiriusXM screen
- HOWEVER:
- The ⭐ favourites list now only shows FM favourites
- When tuned to SiriusXM, the steering wheel scrolls numerically by channel/time, not through saved XM favourites
- XM favourites no longer appear in the global favourites list at all
- The ⭐ favourites list now only shows FM favourites
- Deleted all FM favourites
- Re-added SiriusXM favourites
- Soft reset of the MBUX head unit
- Deleted driver profile and recreated it
- Removed and re-paired Mercedes me profile/app
Dealer response so far has been inconclusive — they are questioning whether SiriusXM favourites are supposed to appear in the global favourites list or be scrollable via the steering wheel, but this functionality definitely worked on day one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
One of my many gripes about the dismal UI in these cars, and a major step backwards from the W213 (where there were no issues combining FM and SXM presets and scrolling thru all of them).
I started with FM presets so SXM presets never worked correctly for me.
I started with FM presets so SXM presets never worked correctly for me.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 533
Likes: 224
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
I wouldn’t worry too much about ability to scroll from the steering wheel since the tiny 4-way touch thing on the steering wheel is nearly impossible to get to obey your commands - if the car is stopped and the wind is just right and you have clean hands and a laser alignment tool you miiiiight be able to get it to go “right” instead of “down”. It’s atrocious.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
^ I do not use the steering wheel controls for that reason (never did on my 213 either), but the fixed L/R arrows at the bottom of the screen also only work for FM favorites, which is stupid.
There is no way to scroll thru SXM favorites; to do so requires a press to get to the favorite menu, then a press to select each time to change a channel. With 10,000 or whatever SXM channels, that is stupid.
And it takes multiple steps to go from SXM favorites to CarPlay maps. It's infuriating and dangerous.
There is no way to scroll thru SXM favorites; to do so requires a press to get to the favorite menu, then a press to select each time to change a channel. With 10,000 or whatever SXM channels, that is stupid.
And it takes multiple steps to go from SXM favorites to CarPlay maps. It's infuriating and dangerous.
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 45
From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
This has been a long standing issue with the W214, FM favorites and Sirius favorites are not combined as they are in the W213. Many people have complained about this, so far MB has not addressed it.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 15
From: DC Area
2026 e350
E53DadWagon hit the nail on the head. The little upper middle scroll button on the right side of the steering wheel is worthless. The only way I can truly access my XM favorites (or iTunes library) is manually on the center screen, and that isn't easy too. Distracts from driving attention. The media controls in a Mercedes are the poorest design of any car I've owned. That's my only gripe about my '26 E350. No easy steering wheel scrolling or changing stations, and it's a BIG deal to me. But, I can't expect a car made on another continent to match American made way of doing business that I've been used to.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 533
Likes: 224
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
You cannot scroll XM favorites in the 214 with the 'hard' screen arrows or the steering wheel controls. They can only be used to scroll backwards or forwards to the next XM channel.
You must go to the favorites screen, select a channel which takes you away from the favorites screen, then select the favorites screen again, select another channel, etc. Stupid, cumbersome, and unsafe.
You must go to the favorites screen, select a channel which takes you away from the favorites screen, then select the favorites screen again, select another channel, etc. Stupid, cumbersome, and unsafe.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 15
From: DC Area
2026 e350
You can scroll through XM favorites using the upper middle "ok" button (with the 4 arrow) on the right side of the steering wheel. First make your way to the XM screen. Using that ridiculous OK button, swipe down to the 3 horizontal lines next to the search box, to highlight the 3 lines. Press it, and your favorites come up. Using that same OK button, you can swipe up or down to select the channel you want and press OK to play it. You will notice when you play a channel, the 3 horizontal lines remain highlighted, so to change a channel hit OK again, and your favorites list comes back up. Scroll to the channel you want. This is horribly cumbersome and takes attention away from the road. I hate those swipe controls; I find the volume swipe isn't the best either.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
^ That is not scrolling...it is the same routine I outlined in the post prior but using the steering wheel interface instead of the screen.
Scrolling is using one button push or swipe to reach the next favorite. It does not exist in the 214 for SXM, or FM/SXM combo (like it did with the 213)...only FM (I don't listen to AM).
Scrolling is using one button push or swipe to reach the next favorite. It does not exist in the 214 for SXM, or FM/SXM combo (like it did with the 213)...only FM (I don't listen to AM).
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 738
Likes: 175
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
You cannot scroll XM favorites in the 214 with the 'hard' screen arrows or the steering wheel controls. They can only be used to scroll backwards or forwards to the next XM channel.
You must go to the favorites screen, select a channel which takes you away from the favorites screen, then select the favorites screen again, select another channel, etc. Stupid, cumbersome, and unsafe.
You must go to the favorites screen, select a channel which takes you away from the favorites screen, then select the favorites screen again, select another channel, etc. Stupid, cumbersome, and unsafe.
You can scroll through XM favorites using the upper middle "ok" button (with the 4 arrow) on the right side of the steering wheel. First make your way to the XM screen. Using that ridiculous OK button, swipe down to the 3 horizontal lines next to the search box, to highlight the 3 lines. Press it, and your favorites come up. Using that same OK button, you can swipe up or down to select the channel you want and press OK to play it. You will notice when you play a channel, the 3 horizontal lines remain highlighted, so to change a channel hit OK again, and your favorites list comes back up. Scroll to the channel you want. This is horribly cumbersome and takes attention away from the road. I hate those swipe controls; I find the volume swipe isn't the best either.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
But still what? With either steering wheel or ‘hard buttons’ on the screen you can scroll thru FM favorites or you can scroll thru XM channels, but you cannot scroll thru XM favorites (nor can you combine FM and XM favorites).
It’s terrible UI.
It’s terrible UI.
Last edited by Alan Smithee; Mar 29, 2026 at 04:15 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 533
Likes: 224
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
It is sort of fascinating that Mercedes, with all of its engineering wisdom, was able to produce an interface this awful. There is nobody here that suggests it is even OK. Does Mercedes even develop this software? Or is it outsourced? Regardless, they are responsible for this sort of quality control.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 665
From: Tennessee
W214 E450
It is sort of fascinating that Mercedes, with all of its engineering wisdom, was able to produce an interface this awful. There is nobody here that suggests it is even OK. Does Mercedes even develop this software? Or is it outsourced? Regardless, they are responsible for this sort of quality control.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
Charging, HVAC, and entertainment are all flawed. I like a lot about the W214, but honestly would not have let my W213 go had I spent time with the UI first. I knew I’d be giving up the touch pad and volume wheel, but I didn’t expect the screen and app logic to be non-existent.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
That is a ridiculous workaround. I know within a beat or two if I want to continue scrolling or land on a channel; sometimes I’ll go thru two or three. If it’s FM I will change again at a commercial break. I should talk to my car for thirty seconds every 5-10 minutes for a task that should take 3-5 seconds?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 738
Likes: 175
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
Today made me think that there does seem to be a little disconnection between OTAing "graphic goodies" (the rose petals and Easter eggs for Easter Sunday), and the ability to make the XM and radio favorites function at least as effectively as they did in the previous version of MBUX. Not talking about the technical side so much as the effort made.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 533
Likes: 224
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
Today made me think that there does seem to be a little disconnection between OTAing "graphic goodies" (the rose petals and Easter eggs for Easter Sunday), and the ability to make the XM and radio favorites function at least as effectively as they did in the previous version of MBUX. Not talking about the technical side so much as the effort made.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 738
Likes: 175
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
It is a little like eating at a restaurant with great atmosphere and impeccable service, but the steak is tough and the potatoes cold. 'Nuf said.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 533
Likes: 224
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
