Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GL Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ GL 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 GL Class vs Toyota Camry: The GL Class averages 62.8 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The GL Class has 29 crash-related complaints versus 171 for the Camry. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GL Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GL Class
The Mercedes-Benz GL Class is a large luxury SUV that shows a moderate complaint rate of about 63 per year over the past decade. The most common owner complaints involve air bag recalls (Takata) and electrical gremlins like a failing instrument cluster. Suspension and brake issues also appear, often with warning lights and strut failures. With zero recalls on record in this data, the complaint pattern suggests owners deal with a mix of safety recalls and mechanical wear items.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year—but also 31 recalls, indicating a more active recall history. Owners report power train problems such as a stuck ignition key and hesitation, plus electrical glitches affecting multiple systems. Brake issues like the electronic parking brake not disengaging and ABS noise are also common. The data shows a broader range of reported faults across many components.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GL Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 628 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 62.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 45 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 GL Class
- 01AIR BAGS154
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM74
- 03ENGINE74
- 04SUSPENSION70
- 05SERVICE BRAKES70
Owners report Takata air bag recalls where parts were unavailable for months, leaving them waiting for a fix. This matters because the recall affects safety and parts delays can prolong exposure.
Complaints include the instrument cluster (odometer) failing while driving, sometimes repeatedly after replacement. Also, shuddering with check engine light and brake pedal issues that required towing. These electrical faults can leave you without basic dashboard information.
Owners describe noises on the right side when first driving and shuddering with the brake pedal depressed, often accompanied by a check engine light. Such symptoms can indicate underlying engine or sensor problems that may be costly to diagnose.
Reports include failed struts and noises from the right side, sometimes with ABS and check engine lights on. Suspension failures affect ride comfort and handling, and may be expensive on a luxury SUV.
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) IN MID OCTOBER OF 2017 AND WAS WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE PART. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES, 14199…”
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Also, hesitation and shuddering while driving with check engine light. These issues can strand you or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints involve multiple systems malfunctioning at once—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. Such widespread electrical glitches can be hard to diagnose and may affect safety features.
Owners describe a several-second delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, sometimes repeatedly. This lag can be dangerous when merging or pulling out, and may indicate electronic throttle or sensor problems.
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not disengage, requiring a tow and manual release; a new switch sometimes doesn't fix it. Also, a clicking/vibrating sound from the brake pedal area attributed to the ABS system. Brake problems are safety-critical and should be addressed promptly.
“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 GL 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 GL Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GL Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 63 vs. 206 for the Camry), but the Camry has many more recalls (31 vs. zero). In practice, the GL Class may see fewer owner-reported issues overall, while the Camry's higher complaint volume and recall count suggest a wider range of potential problems, though recalls can mean free fixes.
Key differences
- The GL Class has zero recalls on record, while the Camry has 31 recalls covering wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
- Camry owners report power train issues like a stuck ignition key and hesitation, which are not seen in the GL Class sample.
- GL Class complaints center on air bag recalls and electrical cluster failures; Camry complaints span multiple systems including brakes and steering.
- The Camry has a much higher complaint rate per year (about 206 vs. 63), but also more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 29).
- Check for open Takata air bag recalls and confirm the remedy has been performed; parts delays were reported.
- Test the instrument cluster and odometer for proper function, and listen for suspension noises or shuddering during a test drive.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are addressed, especially air bag recalls on the GL Class.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting, engine hesitation, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- Have a mechanic inspect the suspension and brakes, including struts and ABS function, for both vehicles.
- For the Camry, test all electronic features like lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, and the parking brake.
- Ask for maintenance records and check for recurring electrical or power train complaints specific to each model.
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 GL Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GL Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ GL Class total complaints
- 628
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ GL Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ GL Class avg complaints/year
- 62.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GL Class
- Mercedes BENZ GL Class top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN