VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Mercedes-Benz GLS2017–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Mercedes-Benz GLS
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Mercedes-Benz GLS Years to Avoid
15 recalls · 37 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 recalls · 34 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: ENGINE
7 recalls · 19 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mercedes-Benz GLS — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 80 | 40 | 66 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 12 | 4 | — | 75 | 55 | 68 | Good |
| 2024 | 0 | 11 | 2 | — | 80 | 68 | 76 | Good |
| 2023 | 3 | 11 | — | — | 85 | 78 | 83 | Good |
| 2022 | 5 | 12 | — | — | 80 | 85 | 82 | Good |
| 2021 | 7 | 19 | 2 | — | 70 | 88 | 76 | Caution |
| 2020 | 15 | 37 | 7 | — | 56 | 87 | 67 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 3 | 13 | 4 | — | 77 | 83 | 79 | Good |
| 2018 | 2 | 17 | — | — | 88 | 77 | 84 | Good |
| 2017 | 5 | 34 | 1 | — | 79 | 70 | 76 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Mercedes-Benz GLS Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the GLS compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2018 (Buyer Score 84).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 76).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year GLS to buy?+
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS scores highest on our Buyer Score (84/100) — combining a reliability score of 88/100 with a value score of 77/100. It has 2 recalls and 17 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which GLS years have the most problems?+
The 2020, 2017, 2021 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2020 GLS leads with 15 recalls and 37 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common GLS problems?+
The most frequently reported Mercedes-Benz GLS issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.