2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLS450 4matic, is EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 22 complaints, most often about the service brakes.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLS450 4matic | Gas | 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,100 |
| GLS550 4matic | Gas | 4WD | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,850 |
| AMG GLS63 | Gas | 4WD | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 13 | 18 | 15 | $5,150 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39104, 39105, 39106.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 (4)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseElectrical System
2021020025Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2018080013Latches/Locks/Linkages
2018010009Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported
Filed per year: 2018: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 1
Most-cited components
What owners describe
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 NCAPNHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.
Other GLS-Class model years
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
2 recalls · 2 complaints
A2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
1 recalls · 10 complaints
A2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
0 recalls · 19 complaints
F2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
5 recalls · 10 complaints
F2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
10 recalls · 15 complaints
F2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
12 recalls · 37 complaints
F2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
24 recalls · 38 complaints
C2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
3 recalls · 28 complaints
F2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
10 recalls · 42 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.