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Mercedes-Benz · Midsize SUV

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
B
Safety Signal
89 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 2
Complaints6 crash · 2 fire · 7 injured · 1 died reported 64
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 24 mpg
Starting MSRP8 trims · manufacturer $43,850
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLC300, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 64 complaints, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall. Manufacturer pricing runs from $43,850 to $85,600 across 8 trims.

Mercedes-Benz GLC — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Mercedes-Benz GLC · Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Trims & pricing

Source: manufacturer press kitWhich trim should I buy? → Compare a trim →
TrimPowertrainDriveMSRPHPTorqueWheels
GLC 300 4MATIC CoupeGasAWD$52,500255 hp273 lb-ft19 in
AMG GLC 43 CoupeGasAWD$66,500385 hp384 lb-ft—
AMG GLC 63 S CoupeGasAWD$85,600503 hp516 lb-ft—
GLC 300 SUVGasRWD$43,850255 hp273 lb-ft18 in
GLC 300 4MATIC SUVGasAWD$45,850255 hp273 lb-ft18 in
AMG GLC 43 SUVGasAWD$59,900385 hp384 lb-ft20 in
AMG GLC 63 SUVGasAWD$74,900469 hp479 lb-ft—
AMG GLC 63 S SUVGasAWD$82,500503 hp516 lb-ft—

MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
GLC300GasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222724$3,400
GLC300 4maticGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212824$3,400
GLC300 4matic CoupeGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212723$3,550
AMG GLC43 4maticGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182521$3,900
AMG GLC43 4matic CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo162419$4,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 44707, 44718, 44719, 44918, 44957.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
GLC300, GLC300 4matic, GLC300 4matic Coupe6 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
AMG GLC43 4matic, AMG GLC43 4matic Coupe5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

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Factory warranty running out?

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Exterior Lighting

15,502 vehicles 81% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e, and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles. The headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high and create a glare for oncoming traffic. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Risk Incorrectly aimed headlights can reduce the visibility of oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect the headlight adjustment and correct it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign 24V070000 reported Feb 2, 2024 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

2023070012
143,551 vehicles 92% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-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. Risk A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers 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 23V445000 reported Jun 26, 2023 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific GLC-Class

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2022 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mercedes-Benz publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this GLC-Class →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
64complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 7 injuries · 1 deaths reported

9.2 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 69,889 GLC-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 14

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 22
Steering 14
Electrical System 12
Engine 11
Unspecified 8
Forward Collision Avoidance 4

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC43. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Fuel/Propulsion System Nov 20, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11556025
Steering wheel vibrates when it travels over bumps or road irregularities at freeway speeds
Steering Aug 21, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11539948
There is a constant acceleration failure where the car does not respond. Again today I was almost in a bad crash due to this. It is a known issue to many owners in Mercedes forums. It happens in any drive mode. Eco comfort sport. Extremely dangerous and the car should be recalled
Power Train Nov 24, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11556696
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving out of a parking lot at 5-10 MPH and making a left turn, the windshield wipers and the rearview camera engaged independently.
Vehicle Speed Control at 10,000 miles Sep 13, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11544230
I was driving on driver assistance mode. Instead of following the curve to my left-hand side, the car drove off the road and hit a power line pole on the passenger side. The car was totally destroyed.
Forward Collision Avoidance Aug 13, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11538266
Since I purchased this vehicle 2.5 months ago, the windshield wipers started chattering/making noise and not working properly after about 2 days. I brought the car in and the dealership replaced the wipers. The chattering started again shortly after, then the dealership polished the windshield.
Visibility/Wiper Jan 18, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11502389

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.

Reported by Mercedes-Benz itself: 14 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 16 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 20 per 100,000 built. Every GLC-Class model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Driver-assist crash reports (3)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
3reports filed

2 minor · 1 no injury reported

Jun 2023 to Dec 2024 · 3 with an air bag deployment · 3 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist (1)

Crash partner: Other 1 · Passenger Car 1 · Pole / Tree 1

Filed by: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Dec 2024Level 2Passenger CarminorCA—855-9460
Jul 2024Level 2OtherminorRI46 mph855-8237
Jun 2023Level 2 · DISTRONIC with Active Steering AssistPole / Treeno injury reportedPA—855-5908

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

MBUSA learned during its investigation that the vehicle was sold at auction and therefore cannot conduct an inspection nor continue its investigation. The "Reporting Entity or Manufacturer Investigating?" field has been updated from "Yes" to "No" based on this new information. The customer has been informed of the status
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC report 855-5908 Jun 2023 NHTSA SGO filing
The subject VIN is equipped with L2 ADAS DISTRONIC Plus with active steering assist. The driver of the subject MY 2022 GLC 300 contacted the Mercedes-Benz USA ("MBUSA") Customer Care Center ("CCC") on December [redacted], 2024, and alleged that while she was driving with cruise control on, the traffic in front of her vehicle slowed down and she "touched the…
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC report 855-9460 Dec 2024 NHTSA SGO filing
All prior narratives have been removed due to character limit. Please see reports 855-8237-(1 and 2) to see prior updates. 9/13/2024 Update to 855-8237-2: MBUSA conducted a scene and vehicle inspection on August 14, 2024, which included a physical examination of the vehicle. The subject vehicle was located in a salvage yard.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC report 855-8237 Jul 2024 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 3 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Mercedes-Benz warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 688
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 619 service bulletins, 29 over-the-air updates, 19 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Power Train, Structure, Equipment, Exterior Lighting.

  • LI27.00-P-073124 Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Power Train
  • Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of t
  • LI42.10-P-078779 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Service Brakes
  • Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as
  • LI82.62-P-078631 Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · Structure — Body
  • Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document i
  • LI27.10-P-075869 Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · Power Train
  • Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause Modified oil quality of the transfer case over time Remedy 1. Check initial quick test for faults in the following
  • LI27.00-P-073124 Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Power Train
  • Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of
  • LI42.10-P-063502 Service bulletin
    2026-09-01 · Service Brakes
  • Complaint Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient conditions. Cause Frictional vibrations Remedy The intent of this document is to reduce noise from high performance AMG brakes. AMG brakes are designed for performance under high load and in certain scenarios, can emit noise. Some scenarios are normal and some are induced by driving style like those listed
  • LI46.35-P-067339 Service bulletin
    2026-08-28 · Steering
  • Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to:
  • LI72.20-P-075746 Service bulletin
    2026-08-24 · Structure — Body
  • Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by double‑clicking on the button instead. This reduces the li

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P2402Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →1 owner report

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class failed the emissions check on 1.2% of first inspections — lower than the 1.7% for every 2022 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.77% (every 2022 vehicle: 1.4%).

New York inspections 1.2%

failed emissions

3,398 initial inspections of 3,335 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2022 GLC-ClassEvery 2022 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.2%1.7%3,382
Failed the safety inspection0.77%1.4%3,398
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.29%0.18%3,398
Miles driven a year8,10110,455odometer at inspection
Average odometer34,67344,815odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2022 vehicle” is every 2022 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2022 GLC-Class

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

How much does the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class cost?

Manufacturer pricing runs from $43,850 for the GLC 300 SUV RWD to $85,600 for the AMG GLC 63 S Coupe AWD, across 8 trims. Those are MSRPs from the manufacturer's own press material; they exclude destination, options, taxes and whatever the dealer adds. Every trim and price is listed above.

Does the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 2 recall campaigns for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The most serious on file is 23V445000, covering Fuel System, Gasoline. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

NHTSA gave the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it B (89/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Across the 5 EPA-rated configurations of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 24 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, most often about fuel/propulsion system, steering, electrical system. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 7 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

The EPA smog rating for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class runs 5 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV50, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

The manufacturer has filed 688 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, most often covering electrical system, power train, structure. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class failed the emissions check on 1.2% of first inspections — lower than the 1.7% for every 2022 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.77% (every 2022 vehicle: 1.4%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Which 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class trim is the best value?

$41,750 separates the cheapest of the 8 trims from the most expensive, so the answer depends on which of the differences you would actually use. Every trim has its own page here with the manufacturer's full specification and equipment list, plus a short summary of exactly what it adds over the base trim — worth reading before a dealer frames the walk-up for you. The trim-by-trim ladder shows what every step up costs and what it makes standard.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations5 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates5 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls2NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints64NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins688NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports3NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSAnoneNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWe had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable.
Trims, pricing & equipment8 trimsManufacturer press kitTranscribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

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). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.

JSON for this page · API