Which has more recalls, the Audi Q8 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has more recalls (98) compared to the Audi Q8 (43). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q8 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has a lower complaint rate at 0.6 per 10,000 sold versus 21.4 for the Audi Q8. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Reliability Compared

Audi Q8

Good

More Reliable

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Good

Choosing between the Audi Q8 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mercedes-Benz GLE currently leads with an average score of 68/100 compared to 63/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi Q8 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is in its fourth generation, which began in 2020 and received a facelift in 2024. Being in the middle of its generation cycle, the GLE benefits from having early issues typically resolved, offering a mature and well-sorted platform that generally enhances reliability. In contrast, the Audi Q8 is still in its first generation, introduced in 2019, with a facelift occurring in 2024. As a newer model, the Q8 may have experienced initial teething issues, but its recent facelift suggests improvements have been made. Buyers may find the GLE's established platform more reassuring for long-term reliability.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz GLE is more reliable than the Audi Q8, scoring 68/100 vs 63/100.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE demonstrates slightly better reliability than the Audi Q8, with an average reliability score of 68/100 compared to the Q8's 63/100. While the GLE has experienced more recalls (98) than the Q8 (43) over the past eight years, its owner complaints per 10,000 sold are significantly lower at 0.6 compared to the Q8's 21.4, indicating better customer satisfaction relative to sales volume. However, the Audi Q8 presents a notable advantage with detailed independent repair cost estimates at $1,127 annually, offering transparency that is currently unavailable for the GLE. Key issues for both models include electrical system and power train problems, with the GLE also facing challenges in vehicle speed control, while the Q8 has additional concerns with steering.

Key Differences

1Audi Q8 has 55 fewer total recalls
2Mercedes-Benz GLE has 20.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mercedes-Benz GLE scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Audi Q8

—

2Mercedes-Benz GLE

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi Q8	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Reliability Score	63/100	68/100
Years Tracked	8	8
Total Recalls	43	98
Complaints per 10k Sold	21.4	0.6
Year Wins	1	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q8 and Mercedes-Benz GLE?

The Mercedes-Benz GLE exhibits a broader range of issues, with the highest number of complaints in the electrical system and significant concerns in the engine and power train categories. Notably, the GLE also has crash-linked complaints in the power train and vehicle speed control categories, indicating potential safety risks. In contrast, the Audi Q8 has fewer overall complaints but shares similar issues in the electrical system and power train. The Q8's steering system has crash-linked complaints, which is not a notable issue for the GLE, suggesting a specific area of concern for Audi's model.

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi Q8	Mercedes-Benz GLE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6.4Average	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	5.1Average	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	1.8Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	1.8Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.1Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	1.1Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.2Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Audi Q8 or Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Independent repair cost data for the Audi Q8 indicates an annual repair cost of $1,127, with an average of 0.7 repair visits per year. Unfortunately, specific data for the Mercedes-Benz GLE is not available, which makes a direct numerical comparison challenging. However, industry insights suggest that German luxury SUVs like the GLE tend to have similar repair frequencies and costs, often falling in the same range as the Q8. For cost-conscious buyers, the lack of detailed data on the GLE implies potential uncertainty in budgeting for maintenance. The Q8 offers more predictable repair expenses, which could be advantageous for those prioritizing financial planning and stability. While major repair risks remain unspecified for both, the Q8's known figures suggest a reliable benchmark for expected ownership costs.

How Does Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi Q8	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Edge
2024	64/1008R / 16C	70/1008R / 59C	Mercedes-Benz GLE
2023	67/1003R / 2C	70/1005R / 29C	Mercedes-Benz GLE
2022	65/1007R / 5C	68/10011R / 58C	Mercedes-Benz GLE
2021	60/10014R / 28C	65/10022R / 76C	Mercedes-Benz GLE
2020	63/1004R / 25C	61/10036R / 112C	Audi Q8
2019	53/1005R / 103C	70/1006R / 22C	Mercedes-Benz GLE
2026(predicted)	66/100(predicted)	69/100(predicted)	Mercedes-Benz GLE

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Audi Q8 scored 67/100 and the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi Q8 vs the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer owner complaints, the Mercedes-Benz GLE might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 68/100 and only 0.6 complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers a more dependable experience. However, keep in mind that the GLE has had a higher number of total recalls (98), which could be a concern for those wary of potential service visits. On the other hand, if you're looking for a luxury SUV with a lower initial recall count, consider the Audi Q8. Although it scores slightly lower in reliability at 63/100, it has had fewer total recalls (43) compared to the GLE. Be aware, though, that the Q8 comes with a higher owner complaint rate of 21.4 per 10,000 sold and an estimated annual repair cost of $1127, which might impact your long-term ownership budget.

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Common Questions

Is the Audi Q8 more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLE?: Based on our data, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 63/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Audi Q8 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?: The Mercedes-Benz GLE has more recalls (98) compared to the Audi Q8 (43). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q8 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has a lower complaint rate at 0.6 per 10,000 sold versus 21.4 for the Audi Q8. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Audi Q8 comparisons

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More Mercedes-Benz GLE comparisons

Mercedes-Benz GLE vs BMW X5 reliability Mercedes-Benz GLE reliability by year Mercedes-Benz GLE years to avoid

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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