MODEL
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
NHTSA safety across every Mercedes-Benz G-Class model year we cover.
Across the 6 model years of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class we cover (2019 to 2024), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. No recalls are on record across those years.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a body-on-frame luxury SUV that has evolved from military utility vehicle into one of the most recognizable status symbols on the road. Sold in the US from around $140,000 and up, it targets affluent buyers who want commanding presence, genuine off-road capability, and a cabin loaded with premium technology. It competes in the ultra-luxury SUV segment against vehicles like the Land Rover Defender and Bentley Bentayga.
From a pure safety-data standpoint, the G-Class presents a notably thin picture for shoppers who rely on federal crash-test results. NHTSA has not crash-tested any G-Class model year in our 2019-2024 coverage window, which means there are no star ratings and no Safety Index scores to reference. For a vehicle that routinely sells north of $140,000, the absence of independent federal crash-test validation is a meaningful gap that buyers should not overlook. On the recall side, the G-Class posts a genuinely clean record across all six model years we cover, with zero recalls filed. That is a notable achievement for a low-volume, highly complex vehicle. The owner complaint picture is modest at 23 total complaints across six years, though the breakdown warrants attention: those filings include 1 reported crash and 16 reported injury allegations. NHTSA treats all complaints as unverified allegations, so these figures do not confirm fault or defect, but they do signal areas worth watching. The bottom line for safety-focused shoppers is straightforward: the G-Class carries no recall baggage and generates very few complaints proportional to its niche volume, but the complete absence of crash-test data means you are buying on faith rather than verified structural performance. That is a real tradeoff at this price point.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally celebrate the G-Class for its iconic squared-off design, a richly appointed interior loaded with premium materials, and a driving character that blends surprising refinement with genuine off-road authority. Most acknowledge the commanding road presence and strong powertrain options while noting that the tall, boxy body style creates a driving experience that feels deliberately old-school compared to more modern luxury SUV alternatives.
- The G-Class has not been crash-tested by NHTSA in any model year from 2019 through 2024, so there are no federal star ratings or Safety Index scores available to evaluate its structural crash protection.
- Across six model years, Mercedes-Benz issued zero recalls on the G-Class, which is a strong record for a low-volume vehicle with complex engineering and high-end electronics.
- Owner complaints total 23 across the covered years, but that group includes 16 reported injury allegations and 1 reported crash. These are unverified by NHTSA, but shoppers should monitor the complaint database as the model ages.
- Because the G-Class sits on a traditional body-on-frame platform rather than a unibody structure, its crash behavior differs fundamentally from most luxury crossovers. Without NHTSA test data, there is no federal benchmark to assess how that platform performs in modern crash scenarios.