2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 18, 2026.

Fuel economy
14 mpgcombined; city 13, highway 15–17; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$28,750U.S. average; Ohio $27,080 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
Not ratedNHTSA has no overall rating for this year
Recall campaigns
8over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
2filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2020 G-Class. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 G-Class. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine1000
Unknown or other1000
What the columns count

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 20060
  2. 20072
  3. 20080
  4. 20090
  5. 20100
  6. 20112
  7. 20120
  8. 20136
  9. 20142
  10. 20153
  11. 20163
  12. 20174
  13. 20180
  14. 20196
  15. 20202
  16. 20219
  17. 20224
  18. 20236
  19. 20240
  20. 20255
  21. 20260

Every G-Class year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2020 G-Class over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Latches/locks/linkages: doors

NHTSA campaign 24V659000 · reported Sep 9, 2024 · 134 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side rear door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 11, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicles in this recall that were previously repaired under recall 21V-353 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 G 550 and 2019-2022 G63 AMG vehicles that received a replacement door latch during a service visit or prior recall repair. Components within the right-side rear door latch may prevent the rear doors from latching or opening properly.

Risk: The rear door may appear closed even when the latch is not fully engaged, allowing the door to open while driving and increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Damaged latch components may prevent the rear door from being opened while inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 23V097000 · reported Feb 17, 2023 · 26,116 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and either install a protective sleeve or replace the front axle wiring harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023030005.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 G550 and AMG G63 vehicles. The front axle wiring harness may chafe against an oil cooler and become damaged, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).

Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Communication: auto crash notification; Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 22V365000 · reported May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

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.

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.

Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: sensor

NHTSA campaign 21V527000 · reported Jul 12, 2021 · 542 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.

Risk: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Latches/locks/linkages: doors

NHTSA campaign 21V353000 · reported May 14, 2021 · 17,800 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Note: Vehicles repaired prior to this recall must return to dealers to have the remedy performed. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2021060007 and 2021060014.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 G550 and G63 AMG vehicles. Components within the door latch may prevent the rear doors from latching or opening properly.

Risk: The rear door may appear closed even when the latch is not fully engaged, allowing the door to open while driving and increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Damaged latch components may prevent the rear door from being opened while inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Communication: auto crash notification; Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 21V058000 · reported Feb 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

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.

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.

Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Equipment: other; Latches/locks/linkages

NHTSA campaign 20V247000 · reported May 1, 2020 · 6,659 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a label on the rear doors with the correct operating direction, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020050034.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 G550 and G63 vehicles. The embossed lock symbol for the child safety lock on the rear doors may indicate the incorrect lock status of the child safety lock.

Risk: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electronic stability control (ESC); Power train: driveline; Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA campaign 20V090000 · reported Feb 14, 2020 · 6,300 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the differential locking modules and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020070005.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 G550 4MATIC and G63 AMG 4MATIC vehicles. An electrical resistor within the differential locking module may malfunction, interrupting communication between the control unit and the differential locking actuator, possibly resulting in the deactivation of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) while driving.

Risk: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or anti-lock brakes may increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 183 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2020 G-Class, the latest on Sep 26, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (64), power train (29), engine (25), equipment (14), service brakes (14).

NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2020 G-Class.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Specs

EPA class: standard sport utility vehicle. EPA greenhouse gas score: 1 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
AMG G63
4-Wheel Drive
4.0 L, 8 cyl, turboAutomatic 9-spdPremium Gasoline13 / 15 / 14
G550
4-Wheel Drive
4.0 L, 8 cyl, turboAutomatic 9-spdPremium Gasoline13 / 17 / 14

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data