Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ G Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ G Class and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercedes BENZ G Class vs Toyota Camry: The G-Class has 28 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls. The G-Class reports engine shutdowns and electrical faults; the Camry reports key-stuck and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ G Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ G Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a luxury SUV with a low complaint rate—28 over 10 years—but owners report serious issues like engine shutdowns and electrical glitches that can leave them stranded. With 16 injuries and 1 crash tied to these complaints, the problems are rare but potentially severe. No recalls are on record, which may mean fixes come out of pocket or are handled quietly by dealers.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—2,056 over 10 years—but many are for less critical issues like brake noise or key removal. However, 171 crashes and 1 death linked to complaints, plus 31 recalls, show that some problems can be serious. The high volume reflects how many Camrys are on the road, but buyers should still check for recurring power train and brake complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ G Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercedes BENZ G Class
- 01ENGINE6
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
Owners report the engine shutting off while driving at low speeds, such as at a red light, and sometimes not restarting for minutes. This can be dangerous in traffic and may be linked to electrical faults.
Complaints include the vehicle shutting off and displaying errors like 'front/rear differential lock system malfunction' along with ABS and ESP inactive warnings. These glitches can disable safety aids and require dealer visits.
Some owners describe the car stalling or refusing to restart, with one mentioning Mercedes not providing a fix for 8 months. This points to potential fuel delivery or propulsion issues that can strand drivers.
Reports mention a safety recall with no parts available for months, leaving owners unable to get repairs. This suggests that even when a defect is acknowledged, fixes may be delayed.
“Driving 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-550 for approximately 8min. Preceding East on a 3 lane South Florida Highway no more than 40 mph. Gas tank 75% full with V-Power From Shell. (filled-3 days prior). Proceeded from the middle lane to the right lane in-order to make…”
“Shortly after purchasing a new Mercedes Benz 2021 G550 on [XXX], the SUV started having electrical problems. During early 2022 the vehicle shut off while at a red light and would not restart until a few minutes later. No warning light or error message was see…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove, and hesitation or shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These issues can affect daily usability and may indicate transmission or engine problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the gas and waiting several seconds for the car to move—and shuddering at various speeds. This can make merging or accelerating unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area, which dealers call normal for the ABS. These issues can lead to unexpected repair costs.
Multiple safety systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once, according to one report. This could compromise driver assistance features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercedes BENZ G Class
No recalls on record.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ G Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has far fewer complaints per year (2.8) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the G-Class issues tend to be severe, like engine shutdowns. The Camry’s higher volume includes many minor complaints, yet it also has more crashes and recalls. In practice, the G-Class may have fewer problems overall, but when they occur, they can be more dangerous.
Key differences
- The G-Class has 28 complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056—but the G-Class complaints include engine shutdowns and electrical failures that can strand you.
- The Camry has 31 recalls, including air bag sensors and seat issues, while the G-Class has none, meaning the Camry’s defects are more likely to be officially addressed.
- Camry owners report key-stuck and brake problems that are annoying but often fixable; G-Class owners report sudden shutdowns and unresolved safety recalls.
- The G-Class has 16 injuries and 1 crash in complaints; the Camry has 158 injuries and 171 crashes, but the Camry’s higher sales volume means rates may be lower per vehicle.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or electrical shutdowns, especially at low speeds or idle—ask for service records related to the engine and electrical system.
- Inspect the differential lock system and ABS/ESP warnings; test all electronic features and look for error messages on the dashboard.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train defect requiring battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly; these are common complaints.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and any dealer service records, focusing on engine, electrical, and brake repairs.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, shuddering, or delayed acceleration, and check for warning lights.
- Verify that all recalls have been performed, especially for the Camry (air bags, seats) and any pending for the G-Class.
- Have a mechanic inspect the specific components mentioned in complaints: for the G-Class, engine and electrical; for the Camry, power train and brakes.
- Ask the seller directly about any stalling, key-stuck, or brake noise issues and whether they have been fixed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mercedes BENZ G Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 6 | 64 |
| 2022 | 4 | 61 |
| 2021 | 6 | 157 |
| 2020 | 2 | 274 |
| 2019 | 6 | 395 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 2017 | 4 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercedes BENZ G Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ G Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ G Class total complaints
- 28
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ G Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ G Class avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ G Class
- Mercedes BENZ G Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN