Mercedes-Benz GLS VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Mercedes-Benz GLS VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 41 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2017–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefix4JG

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

Mercedes-Benz GLS

About the Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz has sold the GLS in the US since the 2017 model year, and there have been two generations. The X166 came first (2017–2019), and the X167 took over for 2019–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 41 vehicle recall campaigns and 225 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the X167. Its 2020 and 2021 model years alone account for 75 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and engine and cooling after that. EPA rates the X166 at 14–19 mpg combined, while the X167, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 15–21 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 years2017–2026

GenerationsX166 · X167

NHTSA recall campaigns41

Owner complaints225 at NHTSA

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

Generations

Mercedes-Benz GLS generations

Two generations since the 2017 model year. The X167 (2019–2026) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (32).

2 / 2

X167

2019–20262nd generation

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

201720202025

2019–2026· Generation 2 of 2

X167 · 2nd generation

EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg15–21

NHTSA recalls32

Engines (EPA)

3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2019
4.7 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2019
5.5 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2019
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2020–2024
4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2020–2026
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, supercharged, mild hybrid) · 2025–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD
automatic (2019–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (50)Engine and cooling (35)Forward collision avoidance (27)6 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 161 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · X1674JGFF5KE?LA······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS450-4M, built in Vance, Alabama

Check a GLS VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which GLS model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 41 campaigns on file for GLS model years 2017–2026, and the 2020 shows up in more of them than any other year (24), ahead of the 2021 (12). 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 GLS owners report

NHTSA data

Between them, the 2017 and 2020 hold 80 of the 225 complaints, or 36%. Tap any bar or generation.

225NHTSA complaints, 2017–2026

16mention a crash

16mention a fire

16injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearX167: 161 complaints · most for the 2020 (38)

Top complaint areas · X167

Mentions in 161 complaints, 2019–2026.

Electrical system50

Engine and cooling35

Forward collision avoidance27

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)15

Fuel system14

Brakes12

Crashes 14Fires 7Injuries 14

2019–2026 (X167)

NHTSA data summary

The 2020 stands out. On its own it has 38 of the X167’s 161 complaints (24%), and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (50 mentions), then engine and cooling (35). Of all GLS complaints, 72% are for the X167.

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

Owner complaints · by model year

GLS complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid GLS versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

225complaints, 2017–2026

16mention a crash

16mention a fire

16injuries reported

Most complaints: 2017 (42), 2020 (38), 2021 (37)

2017 · 42 complaints

Crashes 1 · fires 6 · injuries 2

Unknown or other10

Engine9

Electrical system8

Exterior lighting6

Fuel/propulsion system6

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

EPA fuel economy & emissions

GLS CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 35 GLS versions for model years 2017–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 414 g/mi, for the 2021 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

X1662017–2018

14–19 mpg · CO₂ 477–615 g/mi

X1672019–2026

15–21 mpg · CO₂ 414–601 g/mi

Model year2025

21combined MPG

428CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,900EPA 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

GasHybrid

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. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

GLS vs BMW X7 vs Cadillac Escalade

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2019–2026. NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns for the GLS, against 33 for the BMW X7 and 23 for the Cadillac Escalade. Pick a range to compare.

Mercedes-Benz GLSX167

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 32
NHTSA owner complaints: 161
EPA combined mpg: 15–21
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 4.7, 5.5 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, supercharged
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 50
Engine and cooling 35
Forward collision avoidance 27

BMW X7

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 33
NHTSA owner complaints: 310
EPA combined mpg: 17–23
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 92
Electrical system 67
Engine and cooling 51

Cadillac Escalade

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 23
NHTSA owner complaints: 774
EPA combined mpg: 13–23
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 6.2 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel, supercharged
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 609
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 127
Electrical system 94

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 GLS VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a GLS

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

White Mercedes-Benz GLS (second generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

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

Illustration: VinNumber.net

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

Two critical VIN cross-check locations on the GLS: the dashboard plate through the windshield and the cargo area sticker near the rear floor. Door jamb sticker, B-pillar label, and engine bay stamp complete the set. The X167 generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) 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 GLS VIN questions

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

The 2017 leads with 42, ahead of the 2020 (38) and 2021 (37). Those first two alone make up 36% of the 225 GLS complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz GLS had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 41 vehicle campaigns for model years 2017–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, X167 leads with 32. Then come the X166 (12), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLS recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 18V-272, 24V-207, 19V-587, 21V-288, 21V-961, 22V-231 and 23V-177. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which GLS generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the X166 is 2017–2019 and the X167 2019–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).

What fuel economy does the Mercedes-Benz GLS get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2026 X167 at 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 14–19 mpg for the 2017–2019 X166 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mercedes-Benz GLS compare with the BMW X7 and Cadillac Escalade on recalls?

For 2019–2026 models the GLS has 32 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW X7 has 33, the Cadillac Escalade 23. Complaints run 161, 310 and 774 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 GLS VIN Number Check

About the Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS generations