Last updated: 2026-10-10
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Mercedes-Benz
10 models tracked
Volvo
5 models tracked
Volvo comes out ahead of Mercedes-Benz on reliability, and the gap is large. Owners file fewer complaints per car sold, and repair costs run lower. Both brands stand at good, but Volvo is stronger on complaint severity and in sedans, while SUVs are even.
Is Mercedes-Benz More Reliable Than Volvo?
| Metric | Mercedes-Benz | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 60/100 | 70/100 |
| Models Tracked | 10 | 5 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 192 | 28 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 583 | 136 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $858/yr | $831/yr |
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo: The Verdict
The gap is large, and it favors Volvo. Both brands hold a good standing, yet Volvo is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs and recall impact. Owners filed 1 complaint per 1,000 sold for Volvo against 1.6 for Mercedes-Benz. Yearly repair costs average $831 against $858.
Sedans tilt toward Volvo. SUVs come out even, and problems are spread across systems about the same way on both sides. Electrical trouble is the most reported problem area for each brand.
Where Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Mercedes-Benz | Volvo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 61/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 54/100Mixed | 66/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 59/100Mixed | 73/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 80/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in recall impact, where Volvo scores 14 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo: 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
Volvo
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (70/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- 5 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- High maintenance costs ($831/year avg)
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Mercedes-Benz
Volvo
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Mercedes-Benz or Volvo?
Based on independent repair cost data, Volvo is cheaper to maintain at an average of $831/year compared to $858/year for Mercedes-Benz. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Mercedes-Benz Repair Cost Range
$807 – $908/yr
Average: $858/yr
Volvo Repair Cost Range
$746 – $976/yr
Average: $831/yr
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Mercedes-Benz | Volvo | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(6 vs 2 models) | 55/100 | 70/100 | Volvo |
| SUVs(3 vs 3 models) | 69/100 | 69/100 | Tie |
Volvo wins 1 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo
| Component | Mercedes-Benz | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23%842 | 35%180 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15%564 | 13%70 |
| ENGINE | 15%563 | 2%13 |
| POWER TRAIN | 10%387 | 5%26 |
| STEERING | 7%246 | 5%28 |
| STRUCTURE | 5%199 | 3%18 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4%153 | 12%62 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%119 | 1%4 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1%41 | 7%39 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0%4 | 4%21 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Mercedes-Benz
240
Crash reports
79
Fire reports
251
Injury reports
Volvo
33
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
35
Injury reports
Every Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Model Ranked
Mercedes-Benz Models
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo Reliability Trend by Year
Mercedes-Benz's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100, up from earlier years. Volvo's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Mercedes-Benz | Volvo | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 71/100(6) | 75/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2025 | — | 74/100 | — |
| 2024 | 62/100(9) | 69/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2023 | 63/100(8) | 65/100(5) | Volvo |
| 2022 | 59/100(9) | 70/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2021 | 57/100(8) | 66/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2020 | 57/100(8) | 71/100(5) | Volvo |
| 2019 | 56/100(7) | 69/100(5) | Volvo |
| 2018 | 56/100(6) | 71/100(3) | Volvo |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo?
If you want a Mercedes-Benz, stay with the SUVs. The GLB, GLC and GLE all rate good, and the GLB is strongest in 2022 and 2023. Skip the 2020 GLB, which has rear spoilers that come off at speed and instrument clusters that go blank. Ask for service history, because some owners report cylinder head and valve failures. Avoid the CLA, which is mixed and sits well below other sedans. If you must have one, the 2020 is the pick and the 2022 is the year to skip.
If you want the lowest risk, shop Volvo. All five of its models rate good, sedans included. The XC60 is the one to target, especially the 2021, and the 2022 draws the most complaints. Test stop and restart behavior, since some engines shut off at a stop and refuse to restart. On the XC40, favor the 2020 and be wary of the 2021 and 2023, which have electrical shutdowns and a rearview camera that drops out.
The Bottom Line: Mercedes-Benz or Volvo?
Lean Volvo unless a specific Mercedes-Benz SUV has won you over. The XC60 is the strongest pick across both lineups, and the 2021 is the year to look for. The cost gap is small: Volvo runs about $27 a year cheaper, roughly $135 over five years. The bigger gain is fewer severe complaints and lighter recall impact. If you choose Mercedes-Benz, pick a GLB, GLC or GLE.
Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo: Common Questions
Is Mercedes-Benz more reliable than Volvo?
Which brand has more recalls, Mercedes-Benz or Volvo?
Which is cheaper to repair, Mercedes-Benz or Volvo?
What problem do both brands share most?
Which Mercedes-Benz or Volvo models should I avoid?
Comparing Mercedes-Benz vs Volvo? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Mercedes-Benz and Volvo 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.