Short answer
Among Mercedes-Benz G-Class model years through 2024, 2012 and 2024 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2019 has the most (13). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 24 (2002–2025)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 34
- Fewest recalls
- 2012 and 2024 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2019 (13)
- Most recalled system
- Communication (11)
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | Not rated | Electronic stability control (esc), Forward collision avoidance |
| 2024 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2023 | 5 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages, Power train |
| 2022 | 6 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2021 | 8 | Not rated | Latches/locks/linkages, Seat belts, Air bags |
| 2020 | 8 | Not rated | Latches/locks/linkages, Communication, Air bags |
| 2019 | 13 | Not rated | Communication, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2018 | 1 | Not rated | Communication |
| 2017 | 4 | Not rated | Communication, Forward collision avoidance, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2016 | 4 | Not rated | Communication, Forward collision avoidance, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2015 | 2 | Not rated | Communication, Steering |
| 2014 | 3 | Not rated | Communication, Engine and engine cooling, Steering |
| 2013 | 2 | Not rated | Communication, Steering |
| 2012 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2011 | 1 | Not rated | Structure |
| 2010 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 | 2 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Fuel system, other |
| 2008 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2007 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2006 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2005 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2004 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2003 | 2 | Not rated | Electrical system, Exterior lighting |
| 2002 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20252 recalls
- 20240 recalls
- 20235 recalls
- 20226 recalls
- 20218 recalls
- 20208 recalls
- 201913 recalls
- 20181 recall
- 20174 recalls
- 20164 recalls
- 20152 recalls
- 20143 recalls
- 20132 recalls
- 20120 recalls
- 20111 recall
- 20101 recall
- 20092 recalls
- 20081 recall
- 20071 recall
- 20061 recall
- 20051 recall
- 20041 recall
- 20032 recalls
- 20021 recall
Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Mercedes-Benz G-Class recalls are communication (11), latches/locks/linkages (10), exterior lighting (9), fuel system, gasoline (7) and electrical system (5). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
FAQ: Mercedes-Benz G-Class Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2012 and 2024 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Mercedes-Benz G-Class model years have the most recalls?
2019 has the most, with 13 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "G-Class", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy