BMW 318I vs Mercedes Benz GL450
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | BMW 318I | Mercedes Benz GL450 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 113 | 281 |
| Model years covered | 1984–2003 | 2010–2017 |
| Worst model year | 1994 | 2011 |
| Best model year | 1993 | 2014 |
| Crashes reported | 11 | 14 |
| Fires reported | 4 | 10 |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 9 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Airbags |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 19.5% | 11.7% |
BMW 318I by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
35
31.0%
Electrical System
17
15.0%
Airbags
11
9.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
9
8.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
7
6.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
7
6.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
6
5.3%
Brakes
5
4.4%
Mercedes Benz GL450 by year
What breaks
Airbags
78
27.8%
Brakes
31
11.0%
Suspension
31
11.0%
Engine & Cooling
27
9.6%
Electrical System
24
8.5%
Other & Unspecified
20
7.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15
5.3%
Seats
13
4.6%