2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550 has 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 11. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: while pulling away from a red light, the vehicle jolted a small amount, then it shut down, only providing power to the dashboard, which produced an array of safety warnings. power steering and throttle were completely dead leaving me powerless in traffic. i pulled to the shoulder of the road, plac. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
11
Total Complaints
4
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 7)
ELECTRICAL
3 complaints- • While pulling away from a red light, the vehicle jolted a small amount, then it shut down, only providing power to the dashboard, which produced an array of safety warnings. Power steering and throttle were completely dead leaving me powerless in traffic. I pulled to the shoulder of the road, plac
- • Driving 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-550 for approximately 8min. Preceding East on a 3 lane South Florida Highway no more than 40 mph. Gas tank 75% full with V-Power From Shell. (filled-3 days prior). Proceeded from the middle lane to the right lane in-order to make a sharp right handed turn onto up coming
- • Shortly after purchasing a new Mercedes Benz 2021 G550 on [XXX], the SUV started having electrical problems. During early 2022 the vehicle shut off while at a red light and would not restart until a few minutes later. No warning light or error message was seen and when taken to the dealership they c
“While pulling away from a red light, the vehicle jolted a small amount, then it shut down, only providing power to the dashboard, which produced an array of safety warnings. Power steering and throttle were completely dead leaving me powerless in traffic. I pulled to the shoulder of the road, plac”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (4)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Mercedes-Benz G 550 Service Intervals
Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles
These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2021 G 550, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 11 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: While pulling away from a red light, the vehicle jolted a small amount, then it shut down, only providing power to the dashboard, which produced an array of safety warnings. Power steering and throttle were completely dead leaving me powerless in traffic. I pulled to the shoulder of the road, plac
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: While pulling away from a red light, the vehicle jolted a small amount, then it shut down, only providing power to the dashboard, which produced an array of safety warnings. Power steering and throttle were completely dead leaving me powerless in traffic. I pulled to the shoulder of the road, plac
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: While pulling away from a red light, the vehicle jolted a small amount, then it shut down, only providing power to the dashboard, which produced an array of safety warnings. Power steering and throttle were completely dead leaving me powerless in traffic. I pulled to the shoulder of the road, plac
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: Driving 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-550 for approximately 8min. Preceding East on a 3 lane South Florida Highway no more than 40 mph. Gas tank 75% full with V-Power From Shell. (filled-3 days prior). Proceeded from the middle lane to the right lane in-order to make a sharp right handed turn onto up coming
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz G 550 — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 4
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 30
- Segment avg
- 11
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550