The most-reported GLS-Class run is 4JGFF5KE6LA (2020 builds) with 9 complaints, 4.7× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 23% of reports; 2020 is the worst model year at 3.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 42 recall campaigns for GLS-Class model years 2016–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has 41 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 33% of every GLS-Class complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4JGFF5KE6LA•••••• | 2020 | 1 | — | |
| 4JGDF6EE9KB•••••• | 2019 | — | 1 | |
| 4JGFF5KE2LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 4JGDF6EE3KB•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 4JGFF5KE3LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 4JGFF5KE1LA•••••• | 2020 | — | 1 | |
| 4JGFF5KE7LA•••••• | 2020 | 1 | — | |
| 4JGFF5KE8LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 4JGFF5KE9NA•••••• | 2022 | 1 | 1 | |
| 4JGFF5KEXLA•••••• | 2020 | 1 | — | |
| 4JGDF6EE6JB•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 4JGFF5KE0LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — |
Each of the other 29 GLS-Class runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 176 GLS-Class VINs so far, most often 2024, 2025, 2026 builds; 17 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class the gap between build years is 2.4×: a 2020 car draws 3.1 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | 7 | — | |
| 2022 | 8 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 37 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 19 | 12 | — | |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2020 at 3.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2023 at 1. The 2023 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class owners report: Electrical System, 23 of 76 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 1 | |
| Engine | 1 | 2 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Power Train | 2 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 42 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2017 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 22V365000 | Electrical System:software | 2017–2022 |
| 24V207000 | Electrical System:wiring | 2019–2023 |
| 21V058000 | Electrical System:software | 2017–2021 |
| 24V118000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module:software | 2020–2023 |
| 23V445000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2021–2023 |
| 22V231000 | Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash | 2020–2022 |
22V365000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2017: 5 years on the road before the recall.
The GLS-Class against its rivals
The GLS-Class draws 1.9 complaints per production run; the Toyota Land Cruiser 1.5, the Kia Telluride 4.9 and the Cadillac Escalade 1.9.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 76 | 41 | 6.6% | |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 188 | 126 | 12.2% | |
| Kia Telluride | 2,001 | 405 | 1.9% | |
| Cadillac Escalade | 1,637 | 872 | 4.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 76 reports on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, 6.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 76 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 5 (6.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 4 (5.3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class share of that is 76 complaints over 41 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 76 NHTSA complaints from 41 GLS-Class runs and 42 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which GLS-Class production run has the most complaints?
4JGFF5KE6LA, a 2020 build, with 9 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical GLS-Class run has 1.9.
Which GLS-Class years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2020 is heaviest at 3.1 complaints per run and 2023 lightest at 1.
Does the GLS-Class get more complaints than the Toyota Land Cruiser?
Yes: 1.9 complaints per production run for the GLS-Class against 1.5 for the Toyota Land Cruiser.
How many GLS-Class complaints involve a crash?
6.6% of 76 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 4 involved a fire.
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