At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Brakes recall
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Brakes recall
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
2
Most reports here involve transmission slipping.
Read full complaint
OUR FAMILY OWNS 5 VEHICLES OF THE SAME TYPE (MERCEDES GL). ALL HAD OR CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RPM SENSOR AFTER ABOUT 30.000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE. WE INFORMED THE CHAIRMAN OF MERCEDES BENZ, DR. DIETER ZETSCHE, ABOUT THE ONGOING PROBLEM. THE BOARD'S RESPONSE WAS THAT THESE ARE ALL ISOLATED INCIDENTS ALTHOUGH ALL OF OUR 5 VEHICLES CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCEDES CLAIMS THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WITH OTHER GLS AS WELL. HOWEVER, NOT ONLY DO OUR 5 GLS SHOW THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WE FOUND OUT THAT OTHER GLS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. TWO MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS WE USE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT'S WHY THEY GIVE SMALL DISCOUNTS ON THE SENSOR PART AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. BUT WE FEEL, BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY RISK, THAT THIS PROBLEM DEFINITELY WARRANTS A RECALL.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11019610 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
3
Most reports here involve fire.
Read full complaint
The EIS module we have found has an issue with the part from Japan that does not have enough Sauder on a part of it, so when the temp drops below 50 degrees or less the ignition starts but all the safety features go off and the computer shuts down the vehicle. Reason is the metal contracts in cold weather causing the connections to not fully meet. We have figured this out after many times of replacing the main battery, aux battery thinking this is the issue. After much research on the web and MB forums this seems to be an issue especially in the colder climates with some of the older models. Some others have had have their autos stop in the middle of driving them in cold weather. Not sure why this has not been reported. We are having the issue now with a 2010 MB GL 450 we just purchased in November and every time it gets cold, the auto goes haywire when the temp drops. Warm weather zero issues. Wanted to relay since we do not see a recall and we are working out the bug on this on our own time and money.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11635038 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
7
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and attempting to bring the vehicle of a complete stop, the vehicle slowed but failed to stop as expected. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard but was able to bring the vehicle to a stop by using the parking brake. The low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front driver’s side brake line, observing that the brake line was heavily corroded causing the line to rupture. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed an identical failure with the front passenger’s side brake line. The contact was informed that excessive corrosion was observed throughout the entire braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11675105 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
5
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11455563 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
16
Most reports here involve airbags deploying unexpectedly.
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The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while the vehicle started, the contact became aware that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted because the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer stated that the seat belt was malfunctioning. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11506441 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
2
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise and opened the sunroof and became aware that the sunroof panel had detached, and the glass fell inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V874000 (VISIBILITY); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the failure was reported to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11629732 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
6
Most reports here involve other issues.
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I received an Stop Drive Order form Mercedes Benz USA more that a week ago and I stopped driving my vehicle. I contacted the closest authorized MB dealer Union, NJ and they have not provided a loaner car and have not yet fixed the issue. They say they have so many calls and cannot do anything for me despite the fact I waited so long. I need this car on a daily basis and cannot do my work without this car. I have been calling them over and over and they disconnect the phone. This has been really frustrating. They are also saying that they are not willing to pay for any cab fee, Uber or any rental car fee. I need my car urgently and am really scared to drive this car after they sent me the STOP DRIVE Order
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11475017 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 41 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (53). Of the 7 model years of the Mercedes Benz GL450 we cover, the 2011 has the most (53). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.