Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 139 owner complaints and 32 safety recalls on file for the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, across 6 model years (2016–2021). The 2020 model year has the most complaints (36). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No GLS 450 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2020 GLS 450: 36 complaints, 22 recalls
- 2017 GLS 450: 35 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2021 GLS 450: 30 complaints, 12 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 45 | 5 | 1 |
| Engine | 25 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 11 | 4 | 3 |
| Power Train | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Suspension | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 GLS 450 | 30 | 12 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2020 GLS 450 | 36 | 22 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2019 GLS 450 | 24 | 3 | — | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2018 GLS 450 | 14 | 3 | — | Service Brakes | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2017 GLS 450 | 35 | 8 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 GLS 450 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2020 (36), 2017 (35), 2021 (30). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450?
Electrical System, with 45 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 have?
32 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.