Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLE Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ GLE 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 GLE Class vs Toyota Camry: The GLE averages 46.5 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The GLE's top issues are electrical and engine; the Camry's are power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLE Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLE Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Class is a luxury SUV that averages about 46.5 owner complaints per year over the past decade, with no recalls on record. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system and engine, each with 107 complaints, followed by unknown or other issues, power train, and vehicle speed control. Owners frequently report 12-volt battery warnings, blank instrument clusters, and oil pump solenoid codes, which can leave you without speedometer or safety features. With 31 crash-related complaints, 24 injuries, and 1 death reported, these issues can have serious consequences if ignored.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan that averages about 205.6 owner complaints per year over the past decade, with 31 recalls on record. The most common trouble spots are the power train (385 complaints), unknown or other (323), engine (315), service brakes (285), and electrical system (237). Owners report stuck ignition keys, hesitation and shuddering, brake pedal noises, and multiple system malfunctions. With 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death reported, the higher complaint volume means you are more likely to encounter a problem, but the many recalls show some issues are being addressed.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLE Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 465 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 31 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 46.5 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 GLE Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM107
- 02ENGINE107
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER82
- 04POWER TRAIN49
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL44
Owners report 12-volt battery warnings that appear while driving and instruct them to pull over, as well as instrument clusters going completely black, leaving no speedometer, gas gauge, or blind spot monitoring. These failures can happen suddenly and compromise basic driving information and safety aids.
A common complaint involves the P06DA00 code for a faulty oil pump solenoid, often linked to a wiring harness issue. Owners also describe check engine lights that come on repeatedly, sometimes with no immediate drivability change, but the underlying problem can lead to bigger engine trouble if not fixed.
Some owners report rough acceleration, noises during acceleration, and a jolting or lurching sensation when the vehicle is in Park with the engine running. Another complaint describes the vehicle moving forward on its own while in Park, which is a serious safety concern.
With 44 complaints, this area likely involves unintended acceleration or cruise control issues, though specific owner text is not provided. Any speed control problem is critical because it can lead to loss of control.
“I have been getting Battery Monitor - Charge status very low warnings for the past month and they occur at any moment, including while driving the car. The warning then states for me to stop and pull the car over so it can charge up. MESSAGE: 12V Battery The…”
“My instrument cluster has gone black twice. Meaning I have no speedometer, gas gauge, etc. My blind spot monitoring, front parking, and other safety features do not work when this happens. It stays this way for several hours and then displays again, usually o…”
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 though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park; the only workaround is disconnecting the battery. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often accompanied by a check engine light.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, making the car feel unresponsive when trying to move. This hesitation can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer, and a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area that is attributed to the ABS system. These issues can affect stopping reliability and daily usability.
Multiple systems—smart stop, vehicle stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping assist—have malfunctioned simultaneously. Such widespread electrical failures can disable key safety features without warning.
“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 GLE 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 GLE Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Class has far fewer complaints per year (46.5 vs. 205.6) and no recalls, while the Toyota Camry has many more complaints and 31 recalls. In practice, the GLE owner may face fewer overall trips to the dealer, but the Camry's higher volume means problems are more widely reported and some are addressed through recalls. Neither vehicle is problem-free, but the GLE's lower complaint rate suggests a less frequent, though still potentially serious, ownership experience.
Key differences
- The GLE averages 46.5 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls.
- GLE owners most often report electrical issues like battery warnings and blank instrument clusters; Camry owners most often report power train issues like stuck ignition keys and hesitation.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 31) and injuries (158 vs. 24), but also more recalls that may fix safety defects.
- Both have 1 reported death, but the GLE's issues often involve sudden loss of dashboard information, while the Camry's involve brake and throttle response problems.
- Check for any history of 12-volt battery warnings or instrument cluster blackouts; test all electrical functions, including blind spot monitoring and parking sensors.
- Listen for rough acceleration or noises from the engine and power train, and ask if the oil pump solenoid or wiring harness has been replaced.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and ensure the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly without noise or delay.
- Check for hesitation or shuddering during acceleration and confirm that all safety systems (stability control, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping) are functioning.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Camry.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the electrical and power train systems.
- Test drive the vehicle in various conditions, including stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds, to feel for hesitation, shuddering, or brake noises.
- Verify that all dashboard warning lights illuminate and then go out after starting, and that no warning messages appear while driving.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for any repairs related to the common complaints listed above.
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 GLE Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 31 | 64 |
| 2022 | 63 | 61 |
| 2021 | 83 | 157 |
| 2020 | 123 | 274 |
| 2019 | 34 | 395 |
| 2018 | 56 | 744 |
| 2017 | 75 | 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 GLE Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class total complaints
- 465
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class avg complaints/year
- 46.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN