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
0 recalls · 13 complaints
Top issue: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
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 | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 30 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 42 | 80 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 13 | — | 87 | 58 | 77 | Avoid |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 72 | 90 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 82 | 94 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 88 | 96 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 84 | 94 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 74 | 91 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 62 | 87 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | — | 100 | 50 | 83 | Excellent |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). 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: 2021 (Buyer Score 96).
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 83).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year GLS to buy?+
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS scores highest on our Buyer Score (96/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 88/100. It has 0 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which GLS years have the most problems?+
The 2024, 2017, 2018 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2024 GLS leads with 0 recalls and 13 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: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE. 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.