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Model file · Mercedes-BenzUpdated · 16 sources

Selling a junk or broken Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2020 model year appears in 24 of the 40 recall campaigns that list the GLS. No other year comes close; the 2021 is next with 12. The 2020 also has 38 complaints filed with NHTSA, second only to the 2017's 41, counted as of October 10, 2026.

A white Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV (X166 body) seen from the front, parked on a city sidewalk
Photo: Dinkun Chen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Model years (EPA)
2017-2027
Assembled
Mostly at the Mercedes plant in Alabama
Complaints to NHTSA
216
Year with the most complaints
2017 (41)
Recall campaigns
40
Year listed in the most recalls
2020 (24 campaigns)

Many of those campaigns cover the GLE as well, so their vehicle counts belong to both SUVs. If your GLS has electrical faults, a dead engine or damage that isn't worth repairing, we buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

From GL to GLS, and the 2019 redesign

Wikipedia traces the GLS to the GL-Class, sold from 2006 to 2015. The second-generation GL (X166) went on sale in September 2012, and after a 2016 facelift it was renamed GLS. The third generation (X167) debuted at the 2019 New York auto show. Most GLS vehicles are built at the Mercedes plant in Alabama.

Model yearsComplaintsLeading componentsRecall picture
2017-201987Engine, unknown or other, suspensionFew campaigns per year: 8, 4, 3
2020-2026129Electrical system, forward collision avoidance, brakes24 campaigns on the 2020, 12 on the 2021

Complaint counts are what owners filed with NHTSA. They are not a reliability rating.

2017-2019: the renamed X166 years

The 2017 is the busiest year for complaints, with 41. The engine and the unknown-or-other category tie at 7 each, electrical follows with 5, and 6 of the 41 reported a fire. The 2018 has 20 complaints, led by suspension (3). The 2019 has 26.

Recalls are light here. 19V787 corrected the emergency call system's date and time by software on 24,226 vehicles from 2013-2017, the 2017 GLS among them.

2020 and newer: wiring and a long recall list

Electrical complaints take over. They lead the 2020 with 15 of 38 and the 2021 with 13 of 35. Electrical is the GLS's top component overall, at 44.

Two recalls deal with the 48-volt system's ground. 22V231 tightened a ground cable bolt on 2020-2022 GLS450, GLS580, Maybach GLS600 and AMG GLS63 models, 21,306 vehicles counting GLEs. 24V207 inspects the 48-volt ground connection on 2019-2023 GLS450s and others, 116,020 vehicles.

Other campaigns on these years:

  • 22V732: third-row seatback locks that may fail in a crash, 59,574 vehicles. The notice lists only GLS models.
  • 24V118: 2020-2023 GLE 450 and GLS 450 transmissions that may not fully downshift, which can stall the engine. Dealers update the software; 105,071 vehicles.
  • 23V445 and 23V880: fuel pump replacements across many model lines, 143,551 and 79,676 vehicles.
  • 19V709, 22V680 and 23V178: rear door window trim that may come off.
  • 19V587 and 23V177: air conditioner drain hoses installed wrong.

The latest GLS years are still young, so the 2023 (10) and 2025 (10) numbers are likely to grow.

GLS by model year

A campaign that lists several years is counted in each, so the recall column totals more than 40.

Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresRecall campaignsFirst-listed component
201741168Engine (7)
201820134Suspension (3)
201926113Unknown or other (6)
2020383124Electrical system (15)
2021352212Electrical system (13)
2022172110Electrical system (3)
202310005Service brakes (3)
202417400Unknown or other (4)
202510201Service brakes (2)
20262002Unknown or other (1)

Should you repair it?

Set the repair quote against what the SUV sells for once fixed, and check these first.

  1. Run the VIN at NHTSA's lookup. A 2020 may have several open campaigns, and the remedies listed are free at a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
  2. Stalling on a 2020-2023 GLS 450? Ask whether 24V118 has been done.
  3. Electrical faults and warning lights? Our electrical problems guide explains how to get a straight diagnosis.
  4. Engine failure? See blown engine for how to weigh a replacement.

Selling the GLS whole

  1. Have the VIN, mileage and version (GLS450, GLS580, AMG GLS63, Maybach GLS600) ready, plus what's wrong.
  2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
  3. Say where the GLS is and whether it pushes. A big SUV wedged in a tight garage is fine; just tell us.
  4. Leave it complete, all three rows of seats included.
  5. If there's a loan on it, see still owe on the loan before pickup day.

Related pages: GL-Class, GLE-Class, ML-Class, and every Mercedes-Benz model.

Questions people ask

Which GLS model years have the most NHTSA complaints?
On October 10, 2026, the 2017 stood at 41 and the 2020 at 38. The 2021 was at 35. The newest GLS years haven't gathered many reports so far.
What is the 48-volt ground recall on the GLS?
Two campaigns cover it. 22V231 had dealers tighten a ground cable bolt on 2020-2022 GLS450, GLS580, Maybach GLS600 and AMG GLS63 models, among others. Under 24V207, the 48-volt ground connection on 2019-2023 GLS450s and other models gets checked and tightened. Enter your GLS VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is there a recall on the third-row seats?
Yes. Recall 22V732 says the locks on the third-row seatbacks in some 2020-2022 GLS450, GLS580 and 2021 AMG GLS63 models may fail in a crash. Dealers inspect and replace the seatback as needed. The campaign lists only GLS models: 59,574 vehicles.
Will you buy a GLS with electrical problems that won't start?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Tell us it won't start and where it's parked.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. EPA fuel economy data: GLS-Class model years and versions fueleconomy.gov
  2. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 22V231: 48-volt ground cable bolt, 2020-2022 GLE and GLS nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 24V207: 48-volt ground connection, 2019-2024 GLE and GLS nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 22V732: third-row seatback locks, 2020-2022 GLS nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 24V118: transmission downshift and stall, 2020-2023 GLE 450 and GLS 450 nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 19V787: eCall date and time software, 2013-2017 vehicles nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 19V587: air conditioner drain hoses, 2020 GLE and GLS450 nhtsa.gov
  10. NHTSA recall 23V177: air conditioner drain hoses, 2020-2021 GLE and GLS nhtsa.gov
  11. NHTSA recall 19V709: rear door window trim, 2020 GLE and GLS nhtsa.gov
  12. NHTSA recall 22V680: rear window trim bars, 2020-2022 GLE and GLS nhtsa.gov
  13. NHTSA recall 23V178: rear door window trim bars, 2022-2023 GLE and GLS nhtsa.gov
  14. NHTSA recall 23V445: fuel pump, 2021-2023 models including GLS nhtsa.gov
  15. NHTSA recall 23V880: fuel pump, 2021-2024 models including GLS nhtsa.gov
  16. Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class (generations, rename, assembly) en.wikipedia.org