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Mercedes-Benz · Midsize / large SUV

2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
41 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns8
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA7
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA18 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the G550, is EPA-rated at 18 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 7 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
G550Gas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo171918$4,300
AMG G63Gas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo131614$5,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43579, 43556.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (8)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

134 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 G 550 and 2019-2022 G63 AMG vehicles that received a replacement door latch during a service visit or prior recall repair. Components within the right-side rear door latch may prevent the rear doors from latching or opening properly.RiskThe rear door may appear closed even when the latch is not fully engaged, allowing the door to open while driving and increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Damaged latch components may prevent the rear door from being opened while inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the right-side rear door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 11, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicles in this recall that were previously repaired under recall 21V-353 will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign 24V659000reported Sep 9, 2024Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

2023070012
143,551 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.RiskA loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
NHTSA campaign 23V445000reported Jun 26, 2023Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Electrical System

2023030005
26,116 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 G550 and AMG G63 vehicles. The front axle wiring harness may chafe against an oil cooler and become damaged, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).RiskA loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and either install a protective sleeve or replace the front axle wiring harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023030005.
NHTSA campaign 23V097000reported Feb 17, 2023Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

See Recall Schedule
242,722 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.RiskA disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.FixThe communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
NHTSA campaign 22V365000reported May 20, 2022Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

2021070032/33
542 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.RiskAir bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.
NHTSA campaign 21V527000reported Jul 12, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

2021080021
4,917 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 G550, AMG G63, E350, E450, AMG CLS53, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, AMG GT63, 2021-2022 CLS450, and AMG E63 vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskAn unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owners notified of the voluntary recall campaign by an interim letter on August 13, 2021. A final letter was mailed on September 24, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign 21V483000reported Jun 25, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

2021060007/14
17,800 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 G550 and G63 AMG vehicles. Components within the door latch may prevent the rear doors from latching or opening properly.RiskThe rear door may appear closed even when the latch is not fully engaged, allowing the door to open while driving and increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Damaged latch components may prevent the rear door from being opened while inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the rear door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Note: Vehicles repaired prior to this recall must return to dealers to have the remedy performed. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2021060007 and 2021060014.
NHTSA campaign 21V353000reported May 14, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Seats

2021040016
8,634 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch may prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.RiskAir bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.FixMBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.
NHTSA campaign 21V230000reported Apr 1, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
7complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 15 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 3

Most-cited components

Electrical System4
Engine4
Vehicle Speed Control1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Suspension1
Forward Collision Avoidance1

What owners describe

“Shortly after purchasing a new Mercedes Benz 2021 G550 on [XXX], the SUV started having electrical problems. During early 2022 the vehicle shut off while at a red light and would not restart until a few minutes later. No warning light or error message was seen and when taken to the dealership they could not find anythi…”Jun 5, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The brakes locked up in the vehicle and computer system nearly causing deadly accident.”Jan 17, 2024 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“Authorization failed Limited access is the reason there recalled I can't pair â�¶”Aug 27, 2023 · Suspension · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other G-Class model years

A

2027 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

3 recalls · 5 complaints

A

2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

F

2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

5 recalls · 6 complaints

F

2022 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

6 recalls · 4 complaints

F

2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

8 recalls · 2 complaints

F

2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

13 recalls · 6 complaints

A

2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

1 recalls · 0 complaints

C

2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

4 recalls · 2 complaints

C

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

4 recalls · 1 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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