2018 Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG represents the pinnacle of off-road capability blended with opulent luxury and a powerful engine. Equipped exclusively with a hand-built 6.0L Twin-Turbo V12 engine producing 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, it delivers staggering performance for such a robust vehicle. It is paired with a 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. Owners often praise the G65 for its iconic styling, unmatched off-road prowess, and the exclusivity of its V12 engine. Common complaints revolve around its high price tag, poor fuel economy, and somewhat dated interior compared to newer Mercedes-Benz models.

Engine

6.0L Twin-Turbo V12

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can develop from various points on the engine, including the valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing, and rear main seal. Symptoms include visible oil puddles under the vehicle, a burning oil smell, and low oil level warnings.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaking gaskets or seals is the common repair. In more severe cases, the oil filter housing or rear main seal may need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $2,000+, depending on the location and severity of the leak.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Turbocharger Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The twin turbochargers can experience failures such as bearing wear, wastegate malfunction, or oil leaks. Symptoms include reduced engine power, whistling noises from the engine bay, and/or excessive smoke from the exhaust.
  • Solution: Turbocharger replacement or rebuild is the typical solution. Faulty wastegates can sometimes be repaired or replaced separately.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $3,000 - $7,000+ for turbocharger replacement.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

7G-TRONIC Automatic Transmission

• Harsh Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported rough or jerky shifting between gears. This can be more pronounced during cold starts or under heavy acceleration.
  • Solution: In some cases, a transmission fluid flush and filter change can alleviate the issue. Other times, valve body replacement or transmission rebuild/replacement may be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $6,000+, depending on the underlying cause and the repair required.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Torque Converter Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibrations at low speeds, particularly during light acceleration, can indicate a torque converter issue.
  • Solution: Torque converter replacement is generally required.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,500
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: The air suspension system can experience failures of the air struts, air compressor, or air lines. Symptoms include the vehicle sagging on one or more corners, failure to maintain ride height, and error messages on the instrument cluster.
  • Solution: Replacing the faulty air strut, air compressor, or air lines.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $3,000+ per strut/component.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Sensor Failures
  • Description/Symptoms: Various sensors throughout the vehicle, such as oxygen sensors, crankshaft position sensors, and mass airflow sensors, can fail. Symptoms depend on the affected sensor but can include engine misfires, poor fuel economy, and/or diagnostic trouble codes.
  • Solution: Replacing the faulty sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ per sensor, depending on location and type.
  • Recalls: None Found
• COMAND System Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The COMAND infotainment system can experience glitches, freezing, and/or failure to connect to Bluetooth devices.
  • Solution: Software updates may resolve some issues. In other cases, the COMAND unit may need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Rust
  • Description/Symptoms: While not extremely common, some owners in regions with harsh winters or exposure to salt have reported rust forming around the door hinges, tailgate, and underneath the vehicle.
  • Solution: Rust repair, which may involve sanding, patching, and repainting.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Sunroof Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The sunroof mechanism can sometimes fail, causing the sunroof to become stuck or difficult to open and close.
  • Solution: Sunroof repair or replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Seat Heater Malfunction
  • Description/Symptoms: The seat heaters in the front or rear seats may stop working.
  • Solution: Replacement of the heating element or control module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+ per seat.
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG, while offering unparalleled performance and luxury, can present owners with a range of potential issues. The most significant and costly problems tend to revolve around the engine (oil leaks, turbocharger issues) and the air suspension system. Electrical glitches and transmission problems can also occur. While some issues may be minor and relatively inexpensive to fix, others can lead to substantial repair bills. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential problems and factor them into their ownership costs.