Mercedes Benz GL450 years to avoid (and the best years)
224 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls across 7 model years, 2010 to 2016. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 224complaints
- 11recalls
- 11reported crashes
- 6reported fires
- 10reported injuries
Which Mercedes Benz GL450 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes Benz GL450 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes Benz GL450 year has 35 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2011 (53).
What are the best Mercedes Benz GL450 years?
The Mercedes Benz GL450 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2016 (12), 2015 (17) and 2014 (21). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 12 | 0.3× | 5 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Seats |
| 2015 | 17 | 0.5× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 21 | 0.6× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2013 | 35 | 1.0× | 3 | 1 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2012 | 45 | 1.3× | 3 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 53 | 1.5× | 3 | 4 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2010 | 41 | 1.2× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 96 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts48 (50%)
- Brakes13 (14%)
- Steering, suspension & tires11 (11%)
- Other systems11 (11%)
- Electrical & infotainment6 (6%)
Recalls (11)
Brakes · 24V298000 · Apr 2024 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 22V315000 · May 2022 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Suspension · 18V272000 · Apr 2018 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Steering · 17V241000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2016
If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V177000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2016
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Suspension · 17V081000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2016
The loose bolt may cause improper wheel tracking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V900000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2015
If any of the remaining front or rear axle bolts fracture, the vehicle may be unstable, reducing the handling capability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V081000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
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.
Safety · 14V158000 · Mar 2014 · model year 2014
Without the use of the lower anchor points, a child restraint may be insufficiently or improperly anchored to the seat, increasing the risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash.
Seat belts · 13V166000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2013
If the bolts are not properly torqued, the seat belt anchor bolts may continue to loosen and in the the event of a crash, the belted occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.