Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ GLS 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 GLS Class vs Toyota Camry: The GLS has 193 complaints over 10 years (19/year) and 0 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints (206/year) and 31 recalls. The GLS reports electrical and engine issues; the Camry reports power train and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLS Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLS Class is a large luxury SUV that, over the past decade, has generated 193 owner complaints—about 19 per year—with no recalls on record. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system, engine, and forward collision avoidance, often showing up as warning lights, limp mode, or braking assist failures. While the overall complaint rate is low, the nature of the issues can be serious and expensive, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan that has accumulated 2,056 complaints over 10 years—roughly 206 per year—and 31 recalls. The most frequent complaints involve the power train, engine, and service brakes, with owners reporting shuddering, delayed acceleration, and brake noises. The high volume of complaints and recalls means buyers should verify that recall work has been completed and check for lingering symptoms.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLS Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 193 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 19.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 10 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 GLS Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER38
- 03ENGINE36
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE19
- 05POWER TRAIN17
Owners report sudden dashboard warnings like 'Active Brake Assist Functions Limited' and 'Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative,' often accompanied by parking brake issues. These glitches can disable safety aids without warning, making the vehicle unpredictable.
Complaints include low oil pressure warnings and engine lights traced to a faulty oil pump solenoid valve, which may require major engine work. Such repairs are costly and can leave the SUV undrivable.
Some owners say the collision avoidance system shuts down repeatedly, and one report describes the radar locking up the wheels at low speed. This raises concerns about unintended braking or loss of driver assistance.
Issues range from a communication module software update that dealers struggled to perform, to water pooling in the passenger footwell causing limp mode and disabling multiple systems. These can lead to expensive electrical repairs.
“As I approached a red light and removed my foot from the gas pedal to brake, my dashboard displayed several alarming messages: “Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Owner's Manual,” “Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative,” “To Deselect P or N Depress Brak…”
“At first, the parking brake assist would appear when vehicle was put into park or when starting. We would have to release the parking brake each time. Then, the parking brake assist light would not go on, but the parking brake assist would engage and or be st…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent problems like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove, and shuddering or hesitation while driving. These issues can strand a driver or signal deeper transmission trouble.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—several seconds before the car moves—and check engine lights with shuddering. This can be a safety risk when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal. Brake problems are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously, and some reports involve subframe or driveline components. These widespread failures can make the car unpredictable.
“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 GLS 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 GLS Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 19 vs. 206 for the Camry) and no recalls, suggesting a lower frequency of reported problems. However, the GLS issues tend to be complex and expensive, while the Camry's higher complaint volume means more chances of encountering a defect. In practice, the GLS may spend less time in the shop, but when it does, the bill could be higher.
Key differences
- The GLS has 193 complaints over 10 years with 0 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls—so the Camry has far more reported issues and recall actions.
- GLS owners frequently report electrical glitches and forward collision avoidance failures, whereas Camry owners report power train shuddering, stuck keys, and brake noises.
- The GLS has 10 crash-related complaints and 10 injuries; the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, though these numbers don't account for vehicle sales volume.
- Camry complaints often involve multiple systems failing at once, while GLS complaints are more concentrated in electrical and engine areas.
- Check for any history of water leaks in the passenger footwell, which can cause electrical shorts and limp mode—look for damp carpets or musty odors.
- Test all driver-assistance features, including active brake assist, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning, to ensure they activate and don't show error messages.
- Verify that all open recalls have been performed, especially those for air bag sensors and seats, by checking the NHTSA recall lookup with the VIN.
- Test the electronic parking brake repeatedly to ensure it engages and disengages smoothly, and listen for any clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm that all recall repairs have been completed, especially for the Camry's air bag and seat recalls.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the electrical system and scan for stored trouble codes, particularly on the GLS for brake assist and blind spot errors.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting and throttle response; shuddering or hesitation could indicate power train issues in the Camry.
- Check for water damage or leaks in the GLS footwells and under the carpet, as this can lead to expensive electrical repairs.
- Test all safety and convenience features—including parking brake, lane keeping, and collision avoidance—to ensure they function without error messages.
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 GLS Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 10 | 64 |
| 2022 | 16 | 61 |
| 2021 | 37 | 157 |
| 2020 | 38 | 274 |
| 2019 | 28 | 395 |
| 2018 | 22 | 744 |
| 2017 | 42 | 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 GLS Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class total complaints
- 193
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class avg complaints/year
- 19.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN