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2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical 3
Complaints1 crash · 2 fire · 2 injured reported 28
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 18 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLS450 4matic, is EPA-rated at 18 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 28 complaints, most often about the engine.

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class · Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
GLS450 4maticGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo162218$4,550
GLS550 4maticGas4WD4.7L 8-cyl turbo141916$5,150
AMG GLS63Gas4WD5.5L 8-cyl turbo131815$5,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40682, 40761, 40984.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
AMG GLS63, GLS450 4matic, GLS550 4matic3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 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.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement3 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Engine Output

Horsepower362 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows3
Seating capacity7 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds9

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: AMG GL S 63, CLS450, GLS450-4M, GLS550-4M). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length202.0 in
Width (body, without mirrors)76.0 in
Height72.4–72.8 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Track, front65.4 in
Track, rear66.1 in
Curb weight5,335–5,754 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear50/50

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: AMG Gls 63 4-door SUV AWD, Gls 450 4Matic 4-door SUV, Gls 550 4Matic 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

2024040002
116,020 vehicles 84% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GLE 350, 2020-2024 GLE 450, 2020-2023 GLS 580, GLE 580, 2019-2023 GLS 450, 2021-2023 Maybach GLS 600, AMG GLS 63, 2021-2024 AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 53 Coupe, and AMG GLE 63 S vehicles. A 48-Volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connection overheating. Risk An overheated ground connection can increase the risk of a fire. Fix Dealers will inspect and tighten the 48-Volt ground connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024040002.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V207000 reported Mar 15, 2024 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

See Recall Schedule
242,722 vehicles 91% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-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. Risk A 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. Fix The 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V365000 reported May 20, 2022 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

2021020025
1,292,258 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash. Risk Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash. Fix MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
NHTSA campaign 21V058000 reported Feb 5, 2021 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 GLS-Class

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2019 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 GLS-Class →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
28complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

13 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 21,948 GLS-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2019: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 5

Most-cited components

Engine 8
Unspecified 6
Power Train 3
Electrical System 3
Suspension 3
Back Over Prevention 2

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.

I am reporting a serious safety defect in my 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. My vehicle experienced low oil pressure warnings and engine warning lights, which were diagnosed as a faulty oil pump solenoid valve. The repair required removing major engine components, resulting in a cost of $5,000 that I paid personally.
Engine May 22, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11739507
Just financed vehicle from M Auto group nj they sent my vehicle to Mercedes dealer prior to me taking ownership and the dealership advised them of issues with truck they only fixed the water pump .
Suspension Oct 11, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11692845
At first, the parking brake assist would appear when vehicle was put into park or when starting. We would have to release the parking brake each time. Then, the parking brake assist light would not go on, but the parking brake assist would engage and or be sticking while driving causing a burning smell and damage to the rear braking…
Service Brakes Oct 11, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11549440
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service, and it was discovered that the U-joint on front driveshaft was fractured and needed to be replaced.
Power Train at 56,000 miles Sep 2, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11761543
The front vehicle hood keep saying it open but is lock keep getting a message saying is open I am afraid is might come out lock and cause me to an accident
Structure Jun 22, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11745739
Failure of driver side front axle CV assembly. Part #166-330-33-00 with 36,000 miles on the vehicle Noise was heard when driving, pulled over heard noise as moved car forward and made left turn. Car was towed to Highway Tire and Auto near our house on a Saturday morning. Car test driven on their lot and immediately identified as CV axle.
Steering Dec 22, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11561518

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: 8 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 13 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 36 per 100,000 built. Every GLS-Class model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

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

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 5 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 331
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 301 service bulletins, 14 warranty extensions, 9 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Power Train, Exterior Lighting, Suspension, Engine.

  • 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
  • LI18.00-P-073137 Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Engine
  • Complaint Sporadic warning message in instrument cluster "Engine oil pressure, stop switch off vehicle" (or similar) is shown in red on vehicles with low mileage. Cause Directional control valve may stick. Remedy 1‑ Read off oil level in instrument cluster and correct if necessary. 2‑ Perform approx. 10‑15 engine starts, then clear fault codes. 3‑ Perform road test with vehicle. If fault code reoc
  • LI46.10-P-077314 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Steering
  • Complaint Noises in the steering column area when steering. See example file in the attachments area: "MRSM‑Schleifgeräusch_SCCMGrindingNoises. MOV". Cause Under analysis. Remedy Check which area of the steering column the noises occur in. Do the noises tend to occur at the bottom in the driver footwell or do they tend to occur in the area of the steering column switch module (MRSM/SCCM)? If the n
  • 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

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
P06DAManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine2 owner reports

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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class failed the emissions check on 2.0% of first inspections — lower than the 2.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.62% (every 2019 vehicle: 1.7%).

New York inspections 2.0%

failed emissions

975 initial inspections of 951 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2019 GLS-ClassEvery 2019 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check2.0%2.7%970
Failed the safety inspection0.62%1.7%975
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.21%0.20%975
Miles driven a year9,5019,904odometer at inspection
Average odometer69,03472,084odometer 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 2019 vehicle” is every 2019 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 2019 GLS-Class

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 3 recall campaigns for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 24V207000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it C (76/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?

Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 18 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?

Transport Canada measured it at 202.0 in long, 76.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 72.4–72.8 in tall, on a 121.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 5,335–5,754 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, most often about engine, unspecified, power train. Of those, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?

The EPA smog rating for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is 3 out of 10. 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 ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?

The manufacturer has filed 331 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, most often covering electrical system, power train, exterior lighting. 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class failed the emissions check on 2.0% of first inspections — lower than the 2.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.62% (every 2019 vehicle: 1.7%). 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.

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 & configurations3 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates3 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls3NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints28NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratingsnoneNHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins331NHTSA 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 reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA13 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

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.

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