Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Mercedes-Benz G-Class you are looking at. Then check its model year against 37 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixWDCW1N

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

About the Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz has sold the G-Class in the US since the 2002 model year, and there have been two generations. The W461 came first (2002–2018), and the W463 took over for 2018–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 37 vehicle recall campaigns and 69 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the W461. Its 2003 and 2013 model years alone account for 13 of them, with owners bringing up structure and body most often and the brakes after that. EPA rates the W461 at 11–13 mpg combined, while the W463, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 11–18 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2002–2026

GenerationsW461 · W463

NHTSA recall campaigns37

Owner complaints69 at NHTSA

Mercedes-Benz G-Class photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Mercedes-Benz G-Class generations

Two generations since the 2002 model year. The W461 (2002–2018) has the most owner complaints, the W463 (2018–2026) the most recall campaigns (24).

2 / 2

W463

2018–20262nd generation

Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

200220052010201520202025

2018–2026· Generation 2 of 2

W463 · 2nd generation

EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg11–18

NHTSA recalls24

Engines (EPA)

4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2018–2024
5.5 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2018
6.0 L 12-cyl (turbo) · 2018
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, supercharged, mild hybrid) · 2025–2026
4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2025–2026
Electric · 2025–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD
automatic (2018–2026)

Known issues to check

Fuel system (8)Electrical system (7)Engine and cooling (7)6 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 31 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · W463W1NYC6BJ?MX······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550, built in Graz, Austria

Check a G-Class VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which G-Class model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 37 campaigns on file for G-Class model years 2002–2026, and the 2019 shows up in more of them than any other year (13), ahead of the 2020 (8). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mercedes-Benz G-Class owners report

NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2021 (8 of 69). Tap any bar or generation.

69NHTSA complaints, 2002–2026

2mention a crash

2mention a fire

19injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearW463: 31 complaints · most for the 2021 (8)

Top complaint areas · W463

Mentions in 31 complaints, 2018–2026.

Fuel system8

Electrical system7

Engine and cooling7

Forward collision avoidance3

Electronic stability control2

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)2

Crashes 1Fires 1Injuries 18

2018–2026 (W463)

NHTSA data summary

By area, nothing stands out. Fuel system leads with 8, with the electrical system (7) and engine and cooling (7) close behind. Complaints peak with the 2021 (8 of 31).

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner complaints · by model year

G-Class complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid and electric G-Class versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

69complaints, 2002–2026

2mention a crash

2mention a fire

19injuries reported

Most complaints: 2021 (8), 2003 (7), 2013 (6)

2021 · 8 complaints

Crashes 1 · fires 1 · injuries 15

Electrical system5

Engine4

Air bags1

Forward collision avoidance1

Fuel/propulsion system1

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

G-Class CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 56 G-Class versions for model years 2002–2026 (gas, hybrid and electric). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 490 g/mi, for the 2026 hybrid. Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

W4612002–2017

11–13 mpg · CO₂ 660–829 g/mi

W4632018–2026

11–18 mpg · 62 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–829 g/mi

Model year2025

18combined MPG

490CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$4,550EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

4/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasHybridElectric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

G-Class vs Jeep Wrangler vs Land Rover Defender

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2018–2026. NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns for the G-Class, against 48 for the Jeep Wrangler and 18 for the Land Rover Defender. Pick a range to compare.

Mercedes-Benz G-ClassW463

Model years 2018–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 24
NHTSA owner complaints: 31
EPA combined mpg: 11–18
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 5.5 L · 12-cyl 6.0 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo, supercharged, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Fuel system 8
Electrical system 7
Engine and cooling 7

Jeep Wrangler

Model years 2018–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 48
NHTSA owner complaints: 5,924
EPA combined mpg: 14–25
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.6 L · 8-cyl 6.4 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 2,278
Electrical system 1,880
Engine and cooling 1,184

Land Rover Defender

Model years 2018–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 18
NHTSA owner complaints: 298
EPA combined mpg: 16–20
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4, 5.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, supercharged
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 101
Exterior lighting 59
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 55

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a G-Class

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Matte black Mercedes-Benz G-Class (W463A generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The G-Class body-on-frame construction places the VIN on the dashboard plate at the lower driver's windshield, the door jamb sticker, and a frame rail stamp near the front axle. Engine compartment firewall carries an additional stamp. Frame stamp and dashboard plate should always match. The W463 generation starts with the 2018 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (J for 2018) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN questions

Which Mercedes-Benz G-Class model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2021 leads with 8, ahead of the 2003 (7) and 2013 (6). Those first two alone make up 22% of the 69 G-Class complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz G-Class had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 37 vehicle campaigns for model years 2002–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, W463 leads with 24. Then come the W461 (14), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Mercedes-Benz G-Class recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 05V-378, 09V-453, 20V-048, 21V-564, 21V-961 and 24V-170. Do-not-drive advisories came with 22V-937 and 23V-851. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which G-Class generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the W461 is 2002–2018 and the W463 2018–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (J is 2018).

What fuel economy does the Mercedes-Benz G-Class get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2018–2026 W463 at 11–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 11–13 mpg for the 2002–2018 W461 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mercedes-Benz G-Class compare with the Jeep Wrangler and Land Rover Defender on recalls?

For 2018–2026 models the G-Class has 24 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Jeep Wrangler has 48, the Land Rover Defender 18. Complaints run 31, 5,924 and 298 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Check another Mercedes-Benz model

C-Class E-Class GLE GLC S-Class A-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN Number Check

About the Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class generations