Mercedes BENZ G Class Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercedes BENZ G Class options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercedes BENZ G Class has 27 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2019 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mercedes BENZ
- Model
- G Class
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 27
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2019 (6 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Good
By model year
Mercedes BENZ G Class: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe MERCEDES BENZ G CLASS has 27 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 27 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 27 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
27 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
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 seen and when taken to the dealership they could not find anything wrong. Several months later the vehicle stopped/stalled almost causing an accident on the highway. This time the dealership did find something wrong and repaired or replaced it. Not sure exactly what it was but they mentioned something electrical Several months after this error messages began to appear on the dashboard and the car would not start. A tow truck had to take it back to the dealership. The vehicle has now been at the dealership for 4 months since February 8, 2024. They tell us they are awaiting parts or some type of harness from Germany . We are requesting more detailed repair reports from the dealership. The car only has 12,000 miles driven. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The brakes locked up in the vehicle and computer system nearly causing deadly accident.
Authorization failed Limited access is the reason there recalled I can't pair ⁶
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 a sharp right handed turn onto up coming Shopping Center, that was two lights away. I had turned on my 21 MB G550 air conditioner to auto (off prior). While I was attempting to switch on my turn signal the car suddenly turns-off completely in mid-drive. All warning lights illuminated, steering this 6,000 lbs Mercedes-Benz Beast of a SUV became extremely difficult, as I was already in the sharp right handed turn! I immediately switched on my Mercedes-Benz hazards. I couldn’t apply my breaks immediately, because other vehicles were less then a car length behind my G550 in this single right handed sharp turn with no exterior lighting. I had to wait until my G-Wagon came to a complete stop on it’s own! It lost momentum pretty fast. If I would have panicked & had hit the breaks, I would have gotten into a very serious accident! Luckily, there was no one in front of my G 550 path! I then restarted my Mercedes-Benz-G, placed my 2021 G550 into drive! I proceeded to accelerate but my benz wasn’t moving! Less than 15 secs from the restart my Mercedes G550 jerked, then proceeded to get momentum again. G550 engine yellow light remained on until I got home! When I had restarted my Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon for the MBUSA tow truck, no engine light Illuminated! Then Decided to get towed in the am instead. Was extremely shaken-up, even hours later. An hour earlier that evening, My Mercedes G Wagon was parked for about 8 hours. When I started my Mercedes-Benz G 550, it had died before I could close the door! A month prior, 110 miles less, my Mercedes G550 died in mid-Drive twice in one day while attempting to stop for a red light (Engine auto on/off was enabled) Then died again while I was attempting to park.
While pulling away from a red light, the vehicle jolted a small amount, then it shut down, only providing power to the dashboard, which produced an array of safety warnings. Power steering and throttle were completely dead leaving me powerless in traffic. I pulled to the shoulder of the road, placed the vehicle in park (as it seems that the failure put the car into neutral). I was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving home with no warning lights or issues. (Several other owners are having this same issue-I found them by googling the problem). My vehicle has under 5k miles on it and is always stored indoors in a climate controlled environment.
The driver-side door latch on my 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 is malfunctioning. The door fails to securely close or stay latched, even when shut firmly. This poses a serious safety hazard while driving, as the door may open unexpectedly during motion or remain partially ajar. I have not been involved in any accidents, and the vehicle is well maintained. The issue seems mechanical in nature and affects the structural integrity of the door and its latching mechanism. I contacted an authorized Mercedes-Benz service center and was informed there is no recall. I also contacted Mercedes-Benz USA and am awaiting further response. This is a high-end, relatively new vehicle, and a door latch failure of this kind could lead to injury or worse. I am submitting this complaint to ensure this matter is officially recorded and to urge NHTSA to investigate whether this is a wider defect.
Read 14 more owner reports
Windshield cracked on its own with no motive
This is the second windshield that has cracked from a very minor FOD. Most times if a windshield gets a rock chip it's small repairable damage. Both times this windshield has been stuck by a rock it has cracked from top to bottom...no signs of an actual chip from a rock. After searching the internet I came across several situations with the very similar results. The windshield is a concern at the moment and the safety of it is sub standard.
Lock Differential error message. Mercedes Benz attempted to fix twice but it’s still reporting the error.
MY 2019 G550 HAS BEEN TO MERCEDES DEALERS TWICE FOR A "FRONT/REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" ERROR APPEARING ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN. ALONG WITH THIS IT SHOWS THE ABS AND ESP ARE BE INACTIVE. EACH TIME AT A MERCEDES DEALER THEY REPLACE PARTS AND SAY IT IS FIXED. IT IS NOT FIXED. THIS WEEK I BECAME STRANDED WHEN I PICKED MY DOG UP FROM THE VET AND THIS ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED, ALONG WITH 'ACTIVE DISTANCE ASSIST INOPERATIVE', 'ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTIONS LIMITED', 'BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE', 'STEERING MALFUNCTION INCREASED PHYSICAL EFFORT' ERROR MESSAGES. THE CAR COULD NOT BE STEERED. I TRIED TO TRADE IT IN AT A MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR, SO THEY CAN'T EVEN TAKE THE CAR IN TRADE. THE RECALL # IS 2020020019. NHTSA RECALL # 20V090. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. MERCEDES OF NORTH ORLANDO OFFERED TO LOOK AT IT FOR A THIRD TIME BUT THEY ALSO SAID THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS RECALL, AND WERE UNABLE TO OFFER ME ANY SOLUTIONS. THE ERROR MESSAGES COME ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. USUALLY WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. THIS LAST TIME THE STEERING WAS INACTIVE, I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. THE DEALERS HAVE REPLACED PARTS FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL BUT IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ G550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V090000 (POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE THEN OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ OF ONTARIO (3787 E GUASTI RD, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (909) 212-8400), WHO STATED THAT THE LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST WAS ENGAGED AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER READING ABOUT THE FEATURE, THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVE THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MOVE THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE EXPECTED LANE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE BRAKES BEING ACTIVATED WHILE THE FEATURE WAS IN OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKES BEING ACTIVATED WAS NOT A PART OF THE LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST FEATURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Dear NHTSA Please consider this a formal complaint against Mercedes-Benz for completely defective ABS and EPS systems which control handling, dynamic stability, and anti-lock braking. The “Defective” designation is theirs, rather than a notice to service or that the systems were merely off-line or required repair. The failure notice was issued by the car itself. These critical system failures were only one of many Distonic (radar, cruise control, vehicle spacing, automatic braking), front and rear sensors, rear camera, and navigation failures. But this one is reported to you separately because of its severity, and the frequent failure of the Mercedes-Benz computer systems to even record and log failures like this. The full explanation and documentation is covered in the 3 documents attached to this complaint. [xxx] Mercedes-Benz 2017 G63 AMG VIN [xxx] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *cc
PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ FOR ONGOING SENSOR AND BACKUP CAMERA SAFETY FAILURES. REAR CAMERAS AND SENSORS CONTINUE INTERMITTENT FAILURE EVEN AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE BY MERCEDES BENZ AND HAVE ACTUALLY CAUSED 1 ACCIDENT. FULL EXPLANATION AND DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED IN 4 ATTACHMENTS.
MERCEDES BENZ ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE NHTSA RECALL 21V058 ... NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MERCEDES BENZ CAN PROVIDE THE FIX ... NOR WILL PROVIDE A PATH OR DATE TO THE REPAIR. SEE ATTACHED FILES. FULL DESCRIPTION OF THIS COMPLAINT CONTAINED IN THE PDF FILE.
DUE TO A TRACTION CONTROL SOFTWARE ERROR IN MANUFACTURING, AND PERHAPS OTHER ERRORS THAT TRIGGER ERROR CODES, MY CAR WITH ONLY 650 MILES IS UNDRIVEABLE AND UNSAFE. A REPLACEMENT MODULE MUST BE BUILT IN GERMANY WHICH WILL TAKE OVER ONE MONTH TO BE SENT TO THE U.S. DEALERSHIP,AS WELL AS OTHER POSSIBLE FIXES MAY HAVE TO BE MADE,.
I was badly burned by the exhaust when exiting the back left passenger seat.
Was driving the vehicle on the street when it turned off without notice. I pressed the gas pedal and noticed the vehicle did not accelerate. The cluster showed “see manual” , a red exclamation ️and all the warning lights were illuminated. I had to bring the vehicle to a complete stop in traffic, set it back in Park and had to press the start button 2-3 times before the engine came Back on and quickly shift back in to Drive because I was blocking traffic
Recall notice was provided on December 15, 2023. As of today May 8, 2024, there are still no remedy in place or any update from the manufacturer. I left several messages to the local Mercedes Benz dealership but did not get a reply.
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V851000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Do Not Drive Vehicle” message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
Hello I’ve taken my vehicle to two Mercedes benz dealerships to get my vehicle fixed for the recall they both said they cannot fix the vehicle it’s been going on a month and a half now and this vehicle is my form of income ! And now this issue is messing with my lively hood and this is unacceptable!! They are saying the issue may linger until June July of the summer time. That is unacceptable and i need the issue fixed asap !!!
Showing 20 of 27 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercedes BENZ G Class
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mercedes BENZ G Class, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercedes BENZ G Class has 27 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercedes BENZ G Class has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the Mercedes BENZ G Class's 27 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercedes BENZ G Class vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mercedes BENZ G Class vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercedes BENZ G Class has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Mercedes BENZ G Class.
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Mercedes BENZ G Class reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes BENZ G Class reliable?
Good. The Mercedes BENZ G Class has 27 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercedes BENZ G Class years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2019 (6 complaints), 2023 (6 complaints), 2021 (5 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mercedes BENZ G Class problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (6 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints).
Does the Mercedes BENZ G Class have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Mercedes BENZ G Class. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.