AI DamageMercedes-Benz GL: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz GL across 5 model years: 12 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 17% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 8% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2015–2016
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2007–2009
- 4.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2010–2012
- 4.7 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl 2013–2016
- 5.5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2008–2012
- 5.5 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl 2013–2016
- 3 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cyl 2007–2008
- automatic, 7-speed 2007–2016
Drive: 4WD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving for a period of 30 minutes to a hour on cruise control then all of a sudden y cruise control sends up a error message n cuts out then my transmission drops from 7th gear to 6th gear and would get stuck and I can't shift it at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mercedes benz gl470. The contact was driving various speeds during a snow storm when she realized that the windshield wipers were extremely thin and could not remove the snow from the windshield despite the fact that the defroster was also activated.
I was driving for less than 5 minutes with seat heater on when I felt burning on left side of my lower back. I felt the seat and it was very hot and melting. I immediately turned seat heater off, but I was in traffic and could not stop. The seat began to cool, but I smelled a strong burning odor.
In less than 30 days and less than 1,500 miles, the brand new suv's steering wheel quit working during the turn, the belt , the pulley and the tensioner were broken without any warning.
My husband was going on his third deployment, he did not want me to have any car problem, so we spent almost 70k for a brand new 2011 mercedes gl blue tech. However, less than 30 days and 1460 miles, the steering wheel quit working during a turn, it almost killed me.
Tl contact owns a 2011 mercedes benz glk350. The contact stated that the cruise control switch and the turn signal were both located on the left side of the steering wheel.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.