2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Safety Report

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class exhibits a relatively low volume of NHTSA complaints, with only 5 total reports. However, these complaints include 1 reported crash and 1 reported fire, resulting in 15 injuries, though no fatalities have been reported. The overall safety picture is somewhat obscured by the lack of NHTSA crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A), which means its performance in controlled crash scenarios is not publicly available from this source. Common complaint patterns suggest issues with the electrical system, engine, and braking components. For instance, one complaint details the vehicle shutting off at a red light due to electrical problems, and another describes brakes locking up, nearly causing an accident. The recall history for the 2021 G-Class is clean, with 0 recalls issued by NHTSA. This indicates that no widespread safety defects requiring manufacturer-initiated corrective action have been identified or mandated by regulators. Despite the low complaint count, the nature of some issues, such as sudden vehicle shutdown or brake lock-up, points to potentially serious safety concerns that warrant attention, especially given the high injury count relative to the total complaints. Specific complaints highlight critical failures: one instance of the vehicle shutting off and losing power steering and throttle in traffic, another where the vehicle experienced electrical problems and shut off at a red light, and a third involving brakes locking up. These incidents, while few, underscore the potential for significant safety hazards. The lack of crash test data makes it difficult to assess the vehicle's passive safety performance, relying solely on the active safety system and component reliability indicated by complaints.

Our recommendation: Given the low complaint volume but serious nature of reported electrical and brake issues, potential buyers should prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these systems, especially since no crash test data is available.