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ProblemsByVin Model / MERCEDES-BENZ GL-CLASS
10 model years · 2007–2016

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliability by year

0 recalls and 622 owner complaints across 10 model years. Best year to buy: 2016. Year to avoid: 2007.

Best year to buy
2016
8.6/10
0 recalls · 20 complaints
See the 2016 GL-Class →
Year to avoid
2007
7.6/10
0 recalls · 123 complaints
See the 2007 GL-Class →

Worst model years to avoid → — the single year to avoid for every model line we track, ranked side by side.

At-a-glance: every year color-coded

Each cell shows the last two digits of the model year and its 0–10 reliability score from NHTSA data. Click any year to see the full record. best year · year to avoid.

Year-by-year reliability 10 model years · newest first

2016
8.6/10
0 recalls · 20 complaints
OK
2015
8.4/10
0 recalls · 34 complaints
OK
2014
8.2/10
0 recalls · 38 complaints
OK
2013
8.2/10
0 recalls · 52 complaints
OK
2012
8.0/10
0 recalls · 76 complaints
OK
2011
7.8/10
0 recalls · 97 complaints
OK
2010
8.0/10
0 recalls · 66 complaints
OK
2009
8.4/10
0 recalls · 29 complaints
OK
2008
7.8/10
0 recalls · 87 complaints
Caveats
2007
7.6/10
0 recalls · 123 complaints
OK

Common trouble spots across the GL-Class aggregated across 10 model years

airbags
137 complaints across 5 years · avg $1,100
suspension
59 complaints across 8 years · avg $900
steering
55 complaints across 5 years · avg $700
electrical
54 complaints across 8 years · avg $850
engine
51 complaints across 8 years · avg $3,100
brakes
49 complaints across 7 years · avg $450

Common questions

What's the best year to buy a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume and severity weighting, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class scores 8.6/10 — the strongest in the 2007–2016 range. 20 complaints on file, 0 active recalls. Reliability scores reflect the federal complaint record, not subjective owner reviews.

Which Mercedes-Benz GL-Class year should I avoid?

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class scores 7.6/10 — the weakest in the lineup. 123 owner complaints with NHTSA, 0 active recalls. That doesn't mean every 2007 is a problem — it means failure rates run higher than peer model years on the same platform.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class should I avoid?

No Mercedes-Benz GL-Class model year currently rises to an "avoid" or "high-risk" verdict on the NHTSA data — either the record is clean or sample sizes are still too thin for a confident call. The year-by-year breakdown below shows what's on file regardless.

How many years of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class are tracked?

10 model years (2007 through 2016) with NHTSA records on file. Total across the lineup: 0 recalls and 622 owner complaints.

What's the most-reported problem on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?

airbags is the most-reported category — 137 complaints across 5 model years. Average shop repair runs about $1,100.

Year-over-year reliability scores derived from NHTSA recall and owner complaint volume, severity weighted by reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Best/worst year calls require a minimum complaint sample per year so single-data-point years aren't crowned by chance. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz.
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