Is the Acura ZDX more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Based on our data, the Acura ZDX is more reliable with an average score of 82/100 compared to 67/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Acura ZDX or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has more recalls (98) compared to the Acura ZDX (4). 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 Acura ZDX or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has a lower complaint rate at 0.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.6 for the Acura ZDX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Acura ZDX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Acura ZDX

Excellent

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Good

Choosing between the Acura ZDX 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 midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Acura ZDX currently leads with an average score of 82/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura ZDX and Mercedes-Benz GLE Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is in its fourth generation (W167), which debuted in 2020 and received a facelift in 2024. This places it in the middle of its generation cycle, where many initial issues have likely been addressed, contributing to improved reliability. In contrast, the Acura ZDX is in its second generation, launched recently in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, the ZDX might still be ironing out initial production and design issues, a common trend with new platforms. Buyers seeking a more mature and potentially reliable option might lean towards the GLE, given its established platform and recent refresh.

Verdict

The Acura ZDX is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLE, scoring 82/100 vs 67/100.

The Acura ZDX outshines the Mercedes-Benz GLE in terms of reliability, boasting a higher average reliability score of 82/100 compared to the GLE's 68/100. While the ZDX has a higher owner complaint rate of 73.6 per 10,000 sold versus the GLE's 0.6, the Mercedes has faced 98 recalls over eight years, significantly more than the ZDX's four recalls in two years. Both vehicles have their share of common issues, but the GLE's broader range of problems, including electrical and engine concerns, may be a point of caution for potential buyers. Overall, the ZDX's stronger reliability score and lower recall frequency make it the more dependable choice in this comparison.

Key Differences

1Acura ZDX has 94 fewer total recalls
2Mercedes-Benz GLE has 73.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Acura ZDX scores 15 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Acura ZDX

—

1Mercedes-Benz GLE

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Acura ZDX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura ZDX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura ZDX	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Reliability Score	82/100	67/100
Years Tracked	2	8
Total Recalls	4	98
Complaints per 10k Sold	73.6	0.6
Year Wins	1	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura ZDX and Mercedes-Benz GLE?

The Mercedes-Benz GLE experiences a higher volume of complaints, particularly in its electrical system and engine, with 76 and 50 complaints respectively, indicating potential reliability concerns in these areas. Notably, the GLE has significant issues with the power train, which is linked to 4 crashes, and the vehicle speed control, with 2 crash-linked incidents, highlighting safety risks. In contrast, the Acura ZDX reports fewer overall complaints, with the service brakes being the most problematic area at 13 complaints, yet none linked to crashes. The ZDX's issues are less severe overall, with only one crash-linked incident in the power train, suggesting a more reliable safety profile compared to the GLE.

Acura ZDX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura ZDX	Mercedes-Benz GLE
SERVICE BRAKES	21.3High	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	13.1Above Avg	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	11.5Above Avg	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	11.5Above Avg	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	4.9Average	—None
POWER TRAIN	3.3Average	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
STEERING	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—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.

How Does Acura ZDX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura ZDX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura ZDX	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Edge
2024	76/1004R / 45C	70/1008R / 59C	Acura ZDX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Acura ZDX scored 76/100 and the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura ZDX vs the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

If you prioritize a more reliable ride with fewer recalls, the Acura ZDX might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 82/100 and only four total recalls, it stands out as a more dependable option. However, keep in mind the higher number of owner complaints per 10,000 sold (73.6), which suggests you might encounter minor issues more frequently. On the other hand, if you value a vehicle with fewer owner complaints, the Mercedes-Benz GLE could be more appealing, despite its lower reliability score of 68/100. With only 0.6 complaints per 10,000 sold, it indicates a smoother ownership experience in terms of customer satisfaction. However, the high number of recalls (98) might be a concern, particularly if you are wary of potential electrical, engine, or powertrain issues. Ultimately, if you seek reliability and can handle occasional minor complaints, go for the Acura ZDX. But if fewer complaints are more crucial to you, the Mercedes-Benz GLE might be worth considering, even with its recall history.

Acura ZDX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Common Questions

Is the Acura ZDX more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLE?: Based on our data, the Acura ZDX is more reliable with an average score of 82/100 compared to 67/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Acura ZDX or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?: The Mercedes-Benz GLE has more recalls (98) compared to the Acura ZDX (4). 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 Acura ZDX or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has a lower complaint rate at 0.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.6 for the Acura ZDX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Acura ZDX comparisons

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More Mercedes-Benz GLE comparisons

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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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