Mercedes-Benz GLS450 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mercedes-Benz GLS450 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (14) and the 2020 the most (36).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 3 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
24 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
30 | 12 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
35 | 8 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2020 Among the most complaints |
36 | 22 | Electrical system | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mercedes-Benz GLS450 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 36 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 18 (50%); Engine 9 (25%); Forward collision avoidance 7 (19%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. 22 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 35 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 8 (23%); Engine 8 (23%); Exterior lighting 6 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 6 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 13,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 30 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 14 (47%); Engine 3 (10%); Lane departure 3 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 fires, 1 injury. 12 recall campaigns listed.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS450 years with the fewest complaints
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 3 (21%); Suspension 3 (21%); Electrical system 2 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 3 fires. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (13%); Engine 3 (13%); Engine and engine cooling 3 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 30 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 14 (47%); Engine 3 (10%); Lane departure 3 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 fires, 1 injury. 12 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mercedes-Benz GLS450 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 35 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 13,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mercedes-Benz GLS450 recalls
- Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency Services (2017–2021 model years; 1,292,258 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2021; 21V058000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2020–2021 model years; 343,191 vehicles across all models; filed May 2021; 21V354000)
- Disabled Emergency Call System (2017–2021 model years; 242,722 vehicles across all models; filed May 2022; 22V365000)
- Rear Door Window Trim Bars May Detach (2020–2021 model years; 161,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2022; 22V680000)
- Loss of Drive Power from Fuel Pump Shutdown (2021 model year; 143,551 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2023; 23V445000)
All 32 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 recall campaigns · Mercedes-Benz GLS450 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mercedes-Benz GLS450 years FAQ
Which Mercedes-Benz GLS450 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (14). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mercedes-Benz GLS450 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2020, 2017 and 2021 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz GLS450 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (45 of 139 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz GLS450 have?
NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns covering the Mercedes-Benz GLS450. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mercedes-Benz GLS450 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.