YearToAvoid

Mercedes-Benz Best and Worst Years by Model

29 Mercedes-Benz models, 10,469 NHTSA owner complaints and 853 recall campaigns for model years 2010–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Mercedes-Benz models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Mercedes-Benz S5502010–2017133152014, 20152012, 2013Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Mercedes-Benz C3002010–20252,711632010, 2011, 2015, 20162021, 2022, 2024Airbags
Mercedes-Benz E3502010–20251,190402011, 2012, 2013, 20142017, 2021, 2022, 2024Airbags
Mercedes-Benz Glc3002016–2025651532016, 2022, 20232017, 2019, 2024Engine
Mercedes-Benz Gle3502016–2024350512020, 2021, 20222024Engine
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 25002010–2025390922019, 2020, 2021, 20222012, 2013, 2015Engine
Mercedes-Benz GLA 2502014–2025295272015, 2016, 2018—Engine
Mercedes-Benz Cla2502012–2025448272014, 2015, 2016, 20182013Engine
Mercedes-Benz Metris2015–2023212312016, 2018—Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 35002010–2024310892012, 2014, 2016, 20192011, 2018Brakes
Mercedes-Benz E3002016–2019194242017—Engine
Mercedes-Benz Gls4502016–2021139322020, 20212018Electrical System
Mercedes-Benz Glk3502010–2015893122010, 20122011, 2014Airbags
Mercedes-Benz GLB 2502020–2025109252020, 2022—Engine
Mercedes-Benz Gle4502016–202497522016, 20242023Engine
Mercedes-Benz E4002015–2018922620172015Airbags
Mercedes-Benz A 2202019–202277162019—Electrical System
Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC2022–20257252023—Electrical System
Mercedes-Benz Eqs4502022–20246716——Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Mercedes-Benz S 5802021–20236420——Engine
Mercedes-Benz E 4502019–202462342019, 20232021Electrical System
Mercedes-Benz AMG C432016–202461312017, 2018, 2020—Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Mercedes-Benz ML3502010–201545292010, 20112013, 2015Airbags
Mercedes-Benz GL4502010–2017233112011, 20122016Airbags
Mercedes-Benz C2502012–201672692012, 2013—Airbags
Mercedes-Benz GL3502010–201786102010, 2012—Airbags
Mercedes-Benz GL5502010–201751102011, 2012—Airbags
Mercedes-Benz C3502010–2020121112010, 2012—Airbags
Mercedes-Benz E5502010–2017183122010, 2011—Airbags

Mercedes-Benz model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 · 480 complaints · 6 recalls Avoid
  2. 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 · 452 complaints · 6 recalls Avoid
  3. 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 · 381 complaints · 11 recalls Avoid
  4. 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 · 286 complaints · 13 recalls Avoid
  5. 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 · 278 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  6. 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 · 278 complaints · 8 recalls Avoid
  7. 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 · 272 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  8. 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 · 266 complaints · 6 recalls Caution
  9. 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 · 259 complaints · 6 recalls Caution
  10. 2010 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 · 238 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid

How we rank Mercedes-Benz years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.