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 27 complaints over 10 years (2.7/year) and 0 recalls, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints (214.3/year) and 31 recalls. G-Class issues include engine shutdowns and electrical faults; Camry issues include sudden acceleration and brake failure. 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 low-volume luxury SUV with only 27 complaints over 10 years, averaging 2.7 per year. Owners report serious issues like engine shutdowns, electrical glitches, and fuel system problems, often leaving them stranded. With 16 injuries and 1 crash-related complaint, these incidents can be dangerous. No recalls are on record, but the complaints suggest persistent unresolved faults.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with 2,143 complaints over 10 years, averaging 214.3 per year. Owners report power train failures, sudden acceleration, brake loss, and electrical issues, leading to 181 crashes and 1 death. With 31 recalls, many problems are addressed, but some owners still face dangerous defects. The high complaint count reflects both popularity and recurring safety concerns.
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 | 27 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 Better | 163 |
| 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 SYSTEM5
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
Owners report the engine shutting off while driving, such as at a red light or on the highway, and sometimes failing to restart. This can leave you stranded in traffic and is a serious safety risk.
Complaints include electrical problems that cause the vehicle to shut off and display errors like 'front/rear differential lock system malfunction' along with ABS and ESP inactive warnings. These glitches can disable safety aids and confuse the driver.
Owners describe fuel system issues that contribute to engine stalling and a refusal by Mercedes to fix the problem, with one owner saying they don't feel safe driving. This can lead to sudden loss of power.
Some complaints mention a serious safety recall with no parts available for months, leaving owners with an unrepaired vehicle. This means you could buy a car with a known defect that can't be fixed promptly.
“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 TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission and sudden acceleration, including one case where the car crashed and was totaled. Transmission replacements are common, and parts may be backordered.
Complaints include brake pedal going to the floor with no response, such as when driving down a steep hill. This can cause a complete loss of braking and a crash.
Sudden uncontrollable acceleration is reported multiple times, leading to crashes. Also, coolant valve bypass issues trigger engine maintenance lights, but some VINs are not covered by recalls.
Owners report AC condenser damage from rocks and persistent mildew odors from the vents. While not safety-critical, these are annoying and costly to fix.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ G Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has far fewer complaints per year (2.7 vs. 214.3), but its issues often involve sudden engine shutdowns and electrical failures that can be dangerous. The Toyota Camry has many more complaints, but also more recalls, meaning some problems get fixed. In practice, the G-Class may leave you stranded less often, but when it fails, it can be severe; the Camry has widespread issues but a better chance of a recall remedy.
Key differences
- The G-Class averages 2.7 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 214.3, but the G-Class has 0 recalls versus 31 for the Camry.
- G-Class owners report engine shutdowns and electrical glitches that can disable safety systems; Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failure that can cause crashes.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death, while the G-Class has 1 crash-related complaint and 0 deaths, though injury counts are 163 vs. 16.
- Camry complaints often lead to recalls (e.g., air bags, seats), but G-Class complaints have no recall remedy, leaving owners stuck with unresolved safety issues.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or electrical shutdowns, especially during test drives; ask if the differential lock or ABS/ESP warnings have appeared.
- Inspect for fuel system issues that may cause stalling, and confirm whether any open safety recalls exist despite the 'no recalls' record—ask for a VIN-specific check.
- Test the transmission for grinding noises or delayed engagement, and ask if the transmission has been replaced or is on backorder.
- Check brake pedal feel for any sponginess or failure to respond, and verify if the coolant bypass valve recall applies to the specific VIN.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and steep hills to check for stalling, acceleration, and brake response.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, electrical system, and brakes for signs of the reported issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to stalling, transmission, or brake problems.
- For the G-Class, specifically test all electronic features and warning lights; for the Camry, listen for transmission noises and check AC operation.
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 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 6 | 62 |
| 2022 | 4 | 59 |
| 2021 | 5 | 155 |
| 2020 | 2 | 270 |
| 2019 | 6 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 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
- 27
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mercedes BENZ G Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ G Class avg complaints/year
- 2.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ G Class
- Mercedes BENZ G Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN