Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLB Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ GLB 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 GLB Class vs Toyota Camry: The GLB has 89 complaints over 7 years (about 13 per year) and 0 recalls, while the Camry has 2056 complaints over 10 years (about 206 per year) and 31 recalls. The GLB's issues often involve sudden power loss, while the Camry's are more varied. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLB Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLB Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLB Class is a compact luxury SUV that, based on NHTSA data, has a relatively low complaint rate of about 13 per year over seven years, with no recalls on record. However, owners report serious issues like transmission slipping into neutral at highway speeds, engine limp mode, and electrical glitches with the hood latch and wipers. These problems can leave a driver without power or visibility, making the GLB a vehicle that demands careful inspection before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year over ten years—and 31 recalls, but it also sells in far greater numbers. Owners frequently report power train problems such as stuck ignition keys and shuddering, as well as brake issues like the electronic parking brake failing to disengage. While the Camry has a broader range of complaints, many are less severe than the GLB's sudden loss of power or visibility.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLB Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 89 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 12.7 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 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 GLB Class
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
- 02STRUCTURE17
- 03ENGINE16
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 05SUSPENSION9
Owners report the car losing power, the check engine light coming on, and the vehicle entering limp mode, sometimes requiring a tow. This can happen while driving, creating a risk of being rear-ended if you cannot accelerate.
Complaints describe the hood-open warning appearing while driving and windshield wipers cutting in and out or shutting off unexpectedly. This can impair visibility and distract the driver, especially in bad weather.
Some owners cite rear spoiler detachment, referencing a recall that may not cover their VIN, and others report delays in getting safety recall remedies. A detached spoiler could become a road hazard or affect vehicle stability.
Reports include the power liftgate sensor failing to retract, which could trap someone reaching into the trunk, and the transmission slipping into neutral at highway speeds with a 'transmission malfunction' warning. These issues can strand or endanger occupants.
“Power Liftgate (via key fob – SmartKey). Mercedes GLB250. Was told by Mercedes employees that all cars operate the same. oSensor that automatically stops liftgate if it detects an obstruction does not retract to allow someone reaching in the trunk to safely e…”
“When driving on the highway going 65mph the car slipped in neutral and error showed on dashboard "transmission malfunction stop." I could steer and break, but not accelerate. Pulling over on side of highway, I was able to put in park and then drive. I pulled…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can affect drivability and safety.
Complaints include the electronic parking brake not disengaging, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that dealers call normal. A parking brake that won't release can leave you stranded or cause rollaway risk.
Some owners experience a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, which could be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. This hesitation may be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have malfunctioned simultaneously, according to one report. Such failures can overwhelm a driver and reduce critical safety aids.
“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 GLB 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 GLB Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 13) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the GLB's issues often involve sudden loss of power or visibility, while the Camry's are more varied and sometimes less immediately dangerous. In practice, the GLB may be less likely to leave you stranded overall, but when it fails, it can fail more severely.
Key differences
- The GLB has no recalls on record, while the Camry has 31 recalls covering wheels, seats, and air bag sensors, meaning the Camry has had more official safety actions.
- GLB owners report sudden transmission slippage into neutral and engine limp mode, which can cause immediate loss of power; Camry owners more often report stuck ignition keys and brake noise, which are inconvenient but less likely to cause a crash.
- The GLB's electrical complaints include hood latch warnings and wiper failures that impair visibility, whereas the Camry's electrical issues involve multiple driver-assist systems failing at once.
- The Camry has a much higher complaint volume but also sells in far greater numbers, so the per-vehicle risk may be lower than the raw counts suggest.
- Check for any history of transmission slipping or 'transmission malfunction' warnings, especially during a test drive at highway speeds.
- Test the hood latch warning and windshield wipers thoroughly, and inspect the rear spoiler for any signs of looseness or detachment.
- Try removing the ignition key multiple times to ensure it doesn't stick, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Test the electronic parking brake to confirm it disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Camry's air bag and seat issues.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the GLB, and the power train and brakes for the Camry.
- During a test drive, specifically test the features mentioned in complaints: highway acceleration, wipers, hood latch, key removal, and parking brake.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any recall remedies have been applied, particularly for the Camry.
- Consider an extended warranty for either vehicle, as both have reported issues that could be costly to repair.
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 GLB Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 13 | 64 |
| 2022 | 13 | 61 |
| 2021 | 2 | 157 |
| 2020 | 61 | 274 |
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 GLB Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLB Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ GLB Class total complaints
- 89
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ GLB Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ GLB Class avg complaints/year
- 12.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLB Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLB Class top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN