FaultScore

Freightliner Columbia 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 Freightliner Columbia Mercedes Benz GL450
Complaints on file 110 273
Model years covered 2000–2010 2007–2009
Worst model year 2005 2007
Best model year 2007 2009
Crashes reported 8 19
Fires reported 8 47
Injuries reported 22 31
Deaths reported 2 0
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Seats
Share of complaints involving harm 36.4% 35.5%

Freightliner Columbia by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 32 29.1%
Body & Structure 7 6.4%
Brakes 6 5.5%
Electrical System 5 4.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 4.5%
Tires 5 4.5%
Wheels 4 3.6%

Mercedes Benz GL450 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Seats 42 15.4%
Steering 31 11.4%
Suspension 29 10.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain 21 7.7%
Engine & Cooling 20 7.3%
Brakes 20 7.3%
Airbags 17 6.2%