Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year GL-Class should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has the most documented problems with a problem score of 12 — driven by 4 recalls, 0 complaints.

Q: What is the best year GL-Class to buy?

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 3, meaning 1 recall and 0 complaints on record.

Q: Which GL-Class has the fewest problems?

The 2007, 2008, 2014 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Mercedes-Benz GL-Class model year (2007–2016) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2016

4 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 12

#2 WORST

2009

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 6

#3 WORST

2010

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 6

Best Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2007

1 recall · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 3

#2 BEST

2008

1 recall · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 3

#3 BEST

2014

1 recall · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 3

Found the right year? Verify that specific GL-Class with a free VIN report.

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2016	4	—	—	12	Avoid
2015	2	—	—	6	Caution
2014	1	—	—	3	Good
2013	2	—	—	6	Caution
2012	2	—	—	6	Caution
2011	2	—	—	6	Caution
2010	2	—	—	6	Caution
2009	2	—	—	6	Caution
2008	1	—	—	3	Good
2007	1	—	—	3	Good

All 10 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Shopping Guide by Era

2013–2017

Best: 2014

Mid-decade GL-Class units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older GL-Class models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year GL-Class should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class if possible. It has 4 recalls, 0 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 12 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year GL-Class to buy?+

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 1 recall and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which GL-Class has the fewest problems?+

The 2007, 2008, 2014 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Check a Specific Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →