Last updated: 2026-10-10
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Mercedes-Benz
10 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Toyota beats Mercedes-Benz on reliability by a large margin, with fewer complaints per car sold, far fewer recalls and lower repair costs. Both brands hold a good standing and both are improving lately, but Toyota's wider lineup is the safer and cheaper used buy.
Is Mercedes-Benz More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 60/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 10 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 192 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 583 | 616 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $858/yr | $482/yr |
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota: The Verdict
Reliability favors Toyota by a large gap. Owners filed 0.9 complaints per 1,000 cars sold, against 1.6 for Mercedes-Benz. Federal recall records show 474 recalls for Toyota and 1923 for the German brand. Toyota is also stronger on complaint severity, recall impact and how widely problems spread across systems.
Cost widens the gap. Independent repair-cost data puts Toyota near $482 a year and Mercedes-Benz near $858. The cheapest Mercedes-Benz model in the data, at $807, costs more than the priciest Toyota, at $642. Both brands carry a good standing and a rising trend, so the Mercedes-Benz choice is a costlier one, not a bad one.
Where Mercedes-Benz and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 61/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 54/100Mixed | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 59/100Mixed | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 82/100Excellent |
Dig into the components and repair costs stands out — Toyota outscores by 23 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses
Mercedes-Benz
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (60/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- High maintenance costs ($858/year avg)
- 6 of 10 models rated Mixed or Poor
- 79 fire-related complaints across lineup
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 19 of 19 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Mercedes-Benz and Toyota Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Mercedes-Benz
Toyota
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Mercedes-Benz or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost data, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/year compared to $858/year for Mercedes-Benz. That's a difference of $376/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz Repair Cost Range
$807 – $908/yr
Average: $858/yr
Toyota Repair Cost Range
$362 – $642/yr
Average: $482/yr
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(6 vs 6 models) | 55/100 | 78/100 | Toyota |
| SUVs(3 vs 9 models) | 69/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
Toyota wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota
| Component | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 10%387 | 19%1,909 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23%842 | 12%1,271 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15%564 | 13%1,350 |
| ENGINE | 15%563 | 9%963 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%119 | 9%911 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4%153 | 8%780 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1%21 | 8%796 |
| STEERING | 7%246 | 5%532 |
| STRUCTURE | 5%199 | 4%441 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Mercedes-Benz
240
Crash reports
79
Fire reports
251
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Mercedes-Benz and Toyota Model Ranked
Mercedes-Benz Models
Toyota Models
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Mercedes-Benz's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100, up from earlier years. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 71/100(6) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2025 | — | 78/100 | — |
| 2024 | 62/100(9) | 75/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2023 | 63/100(8) | 75/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2022 | 59/100(9) | 76/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 57/100(8) | 76/100(14) | Toyota |
| 2020 | 57/100(8) | 73/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2019 | 56/100(7) | 70/100(12) | Toyota |
| 2018 | 56/100(6) | 71/100(12) | Toyota |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Mercedes-Benz and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota?
If you want the lowest risk and the lowest bills, lean Toyota. The Corolla, Corolla Cross, 4Runner and Venza all rate excellent, and the Crown does too. If you need a truck, the Tacoma is sound, but pick a 2021 and avoid 2018 and 2019. Watch for a transmission that shudders and hunts for gears, and for brake fluid leaking into the cab.
If you want a luxury badge, stay with the models that rate good: the GLB, GLC and GLE. On the GLB, target 2022 or 2023 and skip 2020. Early cars have rear spoilers that come off at speed and instrument clusters that go blank, and some owners report cylinder head and valve failures, so ask for service history. Be careful with sedans. The CLA is mixed and sits well below other sedans on the site. If you still want one, choose a 2020 and skip 2022. Watch for a transmission that drops into Neutral while driving.
The Bottom Line: Mercedes-Benz or Toyota?
For most shoppers, Toyota is the better used buy. The Crown ranks as the strongest single model across both lineups, though its record is short, so the 2024 is the year to favor. The yearly repair gap is about $376, which adds up to roughly $1,880 over five years. Choose Mercedes-Benz only if you want the luxury, and keep to the GLB, GLC or GLE.
Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Mercedes-Benz more reliable than Toyota?
Which brand has more recalls, Mercedes-Benz or Toyota?
Which is cheaper to repair, Mercedes-Benz or Toyota?
What is the best Mercedes-Benz model to buy used?
What problems do Toyota and Mercedes-Benz owners report most?
Comparing Mercedes-Benz vs Toyota? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
More Mercedes-Benz comparisons
How we score Mercedes-Benz and Toyota models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.