Model year 2016 · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class at 12–13 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for this model year.

Safety recalls

4

EPA combined mpg

12–13

NHTSA overall rating

—

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as AMG G65, G550, G63.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, newest first.

Communication

NHTSA 19V787000 Reported Nov 1, 2019
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 2019120008)
Units affected
24,226 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control and 1 more component

NHTSA 17V713000 Reported Nov 14, 2017
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 2017110012)
Components
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control; Vehicle speed control: Cruise control
Units affected
8,043 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 G550 4Matic, G63 AMG, and G65 AMG vehicles. A malfunction of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), while Distronic Plus is engaged, may cause the engine to not reduce power, regardless of the vehicle's speed, driving situation or brake application.
Risk
Increased braking effort and/or shifting to neutral would be needed to stop the vehicle, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ESP control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017110012.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Steering

NHTSA 17V250000 Reported Apr 11, 2017
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 2017060004)
Units affected
10,832 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.(MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2016 G550 and G63 AMG vehicles and 2016 G65 AMG vehicles. The steering coupling may have been insufficiently tightened, resulting in the steering connection wearing.
Risk
The steering coupling wear may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering coupling, free of charge. The remedy is currently unavailable. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Latches/locks/linkages: Doors: Latch

NHTSA 17V178000 Reported Mar 14, 2017
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Units affected
26 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 G550 4MATIC and G63 AMG vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the cable that unlatches the door when the inner door handle is pulled may break if the door is difficult to release, such as could occur after a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Risk
If the cable breaks and the door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle after a crash, the occupant is at an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners and dealers will replace the cable that connects the inner door handle and the door lock on all four doors, free of charge. The recall began on April 28, 2017. Owners can contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
AMG G635.5L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-spd4-Wheel DrivePremium12/14/13 mpg$6,300696
AMG G656.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic 7-spd4-Wheel DrivePremium11/13/12 mpg$6,850762
G5504.0L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-spd4-Wheel DrivePremium13/14/13 mpg$6,300663

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, most recently on Nov 7, 2023. 0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Air bags2
Latches/locks/linkages1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Mercedes-Benz G-Class model years

Mercedes-Benz G-Class by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 G-Class15 mpg · 71 MPGe———
2026 G-Class15–18 mpg · 62 MPGe———
2025 G-Class15–18 mpg · 62 MPGe35—
2024 G-Class11–14 mpg———
2023 G-Class11–14 mpg56—
2022 G-Class14–16 mpg64—
2021 G-Class14–18 mpg89—
2020 G-Class14 mpg82—
2019 G-Class14 mpg136—
2018 G-Class11–13 mpg10—
2017 G-Class11–13 mpg44—
2015 G-Class13 mpg23—

All Mercedes-Benz G-Class years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 Mercedes-Benz models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz.