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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS is associated with 22 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Suspension, accounting for 3 reports (14% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 3 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 4.7l 8-cyl, and 5.5l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 19 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS belongs to the 2nd generation / gl facelift (X166) GLS platform spanning model years 2017–2019.

Platform Architecture: 2nd Generation / GL Facelift (X166) • Production Span: 2017–2019 • Lifecycle Note: Renamed & Refreshed (2017–2019)
Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 22 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Suspension (3 / 14%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 1 crash / 3 fire / 0 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: Not rated by NHTSA
  • • EPA Certified Range: 15–19 MPG across 3 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
GLS450 4matic 3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 17 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $4,000 / yr
GLS550 4matic 4.7L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 14 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG — $4,750 / yr
AMG GLS63 5.5L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd 13 MPG 18 MPG 15 MPG — $5,050 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA 5-Star NCAP laboratory crash evaluations are not currently on file for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Not Specified and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Not Specified in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS models.
View complete 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

Summary of 22 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
22
Crash Reports
1
Fire Reports
3
Complaints w/ Injury
0
Total Injuries
0

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Suspension 3 complaints
Powertrain 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints (1 crash)
Electrical System 1 complaint
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS 1 complaint

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS problems & component breakdown (17 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #22V365000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #21V058000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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 #18V539000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080013.
View all 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS

How many safety recalls does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS have?

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS is associated with 4 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

NHTSA records list 22 consumer defect complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Suspension, appearing in 3 filings (14% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Is there an official NHTSA crash safety rating for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

An official NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test rating is not available for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS in AutoUtility's current federal dataset.

NHTSA publishes crash safety evaluations for a selected sample of passenger vehicles each model year. Consult NHTSA.gov for active safety equipment records and vehicle safety bulletins.

Source: NHTSA NCAP Registry

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS range from 15 to 19 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.