2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450

7 recalls — 62 complaints

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Description

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brak... Read more

Consequence

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. ... Read more

15,604 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Description

Consequence

Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

15,604 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Description

Consequence

Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

15,604 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Description

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake perform... Read more

Consequence

Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

350,294 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Description

Consequence

Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

350,294 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Description

Consequence

Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

350,294 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Defect Description

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Mati... Read more

Consequence

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 1-800-367-637... Read more

711,159 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Complaint Statistics

62 total complaints 5 crashes 3 fires 5 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
AIR BAGS	34
SUSPENSION	7
SERVICE BRAKES	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	1
SUSPENSION:FRONT	1
WHEELS	1

Incident date: Aug 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message for brake and traction control failure was intermittently displayed, causing the cruise control to disengage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with ha ydraulic contr... Read more

Incident date: Feb 21, 2024

The contact owned a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop, which led him to rear-end a truck in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained a fracture in the finger, and forehead inju... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 31, 2022

I [XXX] own. The Mercedes Benz, it was in recall for the Air Bag, I took it to the Dealer at the Coral Gables Dealership of the Mercedes, 300 Almeria Ave, Coral Gables 33134. Phone (305)306-3549. and it was check. I was involved in an Accident on ([XXX]) went into a canal. 50 feet down, the Air Bag... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Aug 31, 2022

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Aug 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while reversing, the message "Release Parking Brake" was displayed. The contact stated that she engaged the parking brake release button. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurr... Read more

Incident date: Oct 20, 2023

Check Engine Light came on and took it to the mechanic who identified low compression on cylinder #3. The injector was replaced which did not fix the issue since the vehicle lags when first accelerating. We were also informed of a service bulletin that included the issue with our vehicle and to take... Read more

Incident date: Apr 30, 2023

We smelled smoke from under the passenger seat. We had the car in for a recall and service recently and didn’t understand what was happening. Our three Children smelled the smoke too. Everyone exited the car and it burst into flames.

Fire

Incident date: Apr 30, 2023

Fire

Incident date: Jan 30, 2023

Heated seat caught fire while driving

Fire

Incident date: May 19, 2022

Brought this vehicle into Mercedes-Benz of Peoria, Peoria, IL. for routine maintenance on May 19, 2022. When I returned to pick up vehicle, I was informed of the Do Not Drive recall and was informed I could not drive my car. I was only offered a curtesy car for that night and then had to find my o... Read more

Incident date: Sep 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the re... Read more

Incident date: Apr 5, 2021

WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED STOPLIGHT, OUT OF NOWHERE THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, SHOOK THE WHOLE CAR AND SANK, THE FEELING LIKE WE WERE IN A SINK HOLE OR LIKE A TIRE BLEW BUT THE TIRE WAS FINE. A LOYD HISSING SOUND ENSUED. THANK GOD, WE WERE AT A STOP LIGHT AND NOT IN A SPEED THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEAD... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2017

STILL WAITING FOR DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS.

Incident date: May 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE IGNITION. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. OPEN ROAD MERCEDES-BENZ (1250 US-22, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, NJ 08807 (908) 685-0800) DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIR... Read more

Incident date: May 2, 2018

Incident date: Jun 1, 2016

I HAVE BEEN CALLING MERCEDES FOR GOING ON 3 YEARS ABOUT FIXING THIS RECALL ISSUE. I GET A LETTER PERIODICALLY PUSHING BACK MY PARTS AVAILABLE DATE. THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS SAID THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ANY ESTIMATE ON WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. FINALLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VICE PRESIDENT OF ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2017

SINCE 2/2017 THE SUPPOSED TOP QUALITY BRAND MERCEDES BENZ HAS POSTPONED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TAMARA AIRBAGS. THEY ARE JEOPARDIZING THEIR CUSTOMERS LIVES. I SPEND $70 000 ON THIS CAR TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE, BUT THEY RATHER SPEND MILLIONS IN A FORMULA E RACING SERIES THAT NOBODY WATCHES TH... Read more

Incident date: Feb 10, 2019

TAKATA RECALL - THE RECALL ORIGINALLY CAME OUT IN 2/2016, AND AT THE TIME, IT SAID A REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. I RECENTLY READ ANOTHER ARTICLE ABOUT THE RECALL AND WHEN I CHECKED IT STILL SAID A REMEDY WASN'T AVAILABLE. THAT'S THREE YEARS THEY'VE HAD TO FIX IT AND THEY HAVEN'T.

Incident date: Dec 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF WHITE PLAINS (50 BANK ST, WHITE PLAINS, N... Read more

Incident date: Nov 1, 2018

TAKATA RECALL: MERCEDES BENZ CONTACTED VIA MAIL STATING THE AIRBAG RECALL BACK IN FEBRUARY 2017 FOR 2011 GL450. MB STATED THAT AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACE NO LATER THAN JUNE 2017. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACE HOWEVER; I WAS TOLD THAT PARTS OR ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: THE RECALL WAS INITIATED FEBRUARY 9, 2016 AND WE ARE STILL WAITING TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS REPLACED. THE WAIT TIME IS EXCESSIVE PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A WARMER CLIMATE.

Incident date: Aug 29, 2018

MY 2011 GL450 MERCEDES SUV IS DRIVING SIDEWAYS ONE FRONT AND ONE BACK SUSPENSION AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING I FEEL LIKE MY CARE IS GOING TO FLIP OVER WHEN I TURN. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS A DEATHS NOT ONLY ON THE DRIVER BUT OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD

Incident date: Feb 1, 2017

THE TAKATA AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED SINCE FEBRUARY 2016 WITH RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. AFTER 2.5 YEARS, THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION AND I AM UNABLE TO GET NEW AIRBAGS OR CONFIRM IF MY VEHICLE EVEN HAS TAKATA AIRBAGS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

Incident date: May 26, 2018

RECALL THE AIR SUSPENSION BAGS KEEPS BUSTING ALSO I CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS IN MY TANK I REPLACE THE BACK AIR SUSPENSION AIR BAG AND NOW THE FRONT HAS GONE OUT I ALSO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION LEVELING VALUE THE CAR BOUNCES WHEN DRIVING

Incident date: May 26, 2018

Incident date: Jun 11, 2018

I AM THE OWNER OF THIS 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 FOR 7 YEARS. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THE AIRBAG RECALL NOTICES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ. SO FAR, NO INDICATION OF WHEN THIS RECALL WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. OBVIOUSLY MERCEDES-BENZ DOESN'T CARE OF ITS' CUSTOMERS' SAFETY. I ALSO APPALL THAT ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 3, 2018

DEAR LADY/GENTLEMAN GOOD MORNING I WAS DRIVING OUT FROM THE PARKING VERY SLOW. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT FOR WHAT I KNOW CAR INCREASE SPEED RAPIDLY. I PUSH BRAKES BUT DOESN'T STOP AS A RESULT MY CAR HIT OTHER CARS IN PARKING. FOR WHAT I KNOW STEERING WAS LOCK. PLEASE CHECK IF MY CAR HAD ANY... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 21, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. THIS CAR IS USED TO TRANSPORT MY GRAND KIDS AROUND TOWN. I ALSO USE IT AS A REALTOR TO CARRY CUSTOMERS AROUND. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SLOW REACTION FROM THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND THE LIABILITY I CARRY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. PLEASE PUT SOME PRESS... Read more

Incident date: Feb 24, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 116V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCE... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2018

THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM EXPLODED WHILE THE CAR WAS AT THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALIER IN MODESTO, CALIFORNIA PARKED TO HAVE THE BREAKS REPAIRED .. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE CAR IS NO OPERABLE DUE TO ONE OF THE VARIOUS AIRMATIC CONTROLES EXPLODED WHILE PARKED WAITING BEING SERVICES. THE EXPLOSION WAS LOU... Read more

Incident date: Jan 13, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. SINCE 2/11/16 THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 11/10/17, REMEDY WAS STILL UNAVAILABLE. HOW LONG BEFORE A REMEDY WILL BE AVAILABLE? RECALL # 2016020003.

Incident date: Nov 15, 2015

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF THE RECALL APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. WE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM FLAGSHIP MOTORCARS OF LYNNFIELD, MA BUT MOVED TO TEXAS IN NOVEMBER 2015. WE HAD OUR MERCEDES BENZ GL450 SERVICED AT MERCEDES-BENZ OF THE WOODLANDS, TX AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016 AND ASK... Read more

Incident date: Nov 1, 2016

I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALSO QUESTIONED EACH YEAR WHEN I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME....THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS. I HAVE PARKED MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.

Incident date: Dec 9, 2017

TAKATA AIRBAG STILL INSIDE CAR, HAVE BEEN ASKING DEALER FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW TO FIX IT, THEY STATE THEY HAVE NO PARTS? WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN FIXED. NOW I HEAR TAKATA FILED BANKRUPTCY, SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? SHOULDNT THE DEALERS BUY BACK THE CARS LIKE VW DID WITH THE ISSUE WITH MILEAGE, THIS IS A L... Read more

Incident date: Aug 28, 2015

THE AIR BAG HAS A HOLE/ DAMAGED AND MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT FIXING IT... DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND CAN CAUSE DEATH IF NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY !

Incident date: Aug 7, 2017

MY FRONT AIR STRUTS, REAR AIR SPRINGS AND SHOCKS, SUSPENSION AIR COMPRESSOR, AND VALVE BLOCK WENT OUT AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. I'VE GOTTEN ALL THOSE COMPONENTS REPLACED AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION. MY CAR ROCKS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, LEANS ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE DRIV... Read more

Incident date: Jan 25, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS AND REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE

Incident date: Nov 7, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DEALER (AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER ASSOCIATES... Read more

Incident date: Nov 6, 2017

TAKATA RECALL, PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPLACE IN MY 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GL450

Incident date: Mar 7, 2016

TAKATA RECALL-HOW CAN YOU HAVE THIS LETHAL OF A SITUATION AND NOT HAVE PARTS TO REPLACE. I WANT IT IN WRITING THAT I TRIED TO RECTIFY THIS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

Incident date: Sep 1, 2017

"TAKATA RECALL".....DEALER TELLS ME THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART TO COMPLETE THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. IT'S BEEN MONTHS

Incident date: Nov 1, 2015

TAKATA RECALL. BEEN CALLING FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND EACH TIME I BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE I'M ASKING FOR AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. EVERY TIME "WE DON'T HAVE THE PARTS" I CALL 800-367-6372 MERCEDES CORPORATE TO DISCUSS AND THEIR ANSWERING SERVICE FOR TAKATA RECALL STATES SAME "WE DON'T HAVE PARTS" AND "MERC... Read more

Incident date: Oct 27, 2017

TAKATA RECALL--I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE REPLACEMENT FOR MY VEHICLE MAKE IS NOT EVEN AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD THE NOTICE OF THE AIRBAG RECALL FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW. LEXUS DEALERS ARE OFFERING THEIR CUSTOMERS REPLACEMENT VEHICLES UNTIL THEIR PARTS COME IN, WHY WILL MERCEDES NOT OF... Read more

Incident date: Feb 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HELMS BRO MERC... Read more

Incident date: Oct 26, 2017

MANUFACTURER (MERCEDES BENZ) HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER, STATING THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE AIRBAGS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING AN INFANT, USE THIS VEHICLE ON REGULAR BASIS AND THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS ARE KNOWN TO CA... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 2011

TAKATA RECALL - PARTS NOT AVAILABLE

Incident date: Oct 20, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED TWO NOTICES STATING THAT MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THOSE HAVING THE TAKATA AIRBAGS AND THAT WE CAN HAVE "FREE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS". I HAVE CONTACTED APPROVED DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES IN MY AREA, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT TAKATA HAS NOT RELEASED THE "PARTS" TO REPLACE MY AIRBA... Read more

Incident date: Feb 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALE... Read more

Incident date: Dec 17, 2015

MY TAKATA AIR BAGS HAVE STILL NOT BEEN FIXED. MY CAR HAS LOST VALUE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED AND NOTHING YET HAS BEEN FIXED. PLEASE HELP.

Incident date: Jan 10, 2017

THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH EITHER WON'T START THE ENGINE OR WILL FINALLY START AFTER A LONG DELAY OR AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE ENGINE USING EITHER OF THE TWO ELECTRONIC KEYS. THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START CAUSING MY WIFE TO BE STRANDED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND... Read more

Showing 50 of 62 complaints.

MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 across all model years (2010–2017).

39 Total Recalls

277 Total Complaints

0 Investigations

14 Reported Crashes

10 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2017	3	1	View
2016	6	14	View
2015	3	24	View
2014	3	27	View
2013	3	50	View
2012	7	51	View
2011 (current)	7	62
2010	7	48	View

Other MERCEDES-BENZ Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
GLA 250	1,219	416	View
GLC 300	1,143	568	View
GLE 350	1,116	311	View
C 300	1,074	360	View
AMG GLS63	963	12	View
AMG C43	944	74	View
CLA 250	923	130	View
AMG GLC43	920	42	View