AI DamageMercedes-Benz GL450: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz GL450 across 11 model years: 419 owner complaints and 83 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 23% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 8% of all complaints
- Air bags: 96 complaints (23% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 60 complaints (14% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Electrical system: 56 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Seats: 54 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 50 complaints (12% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 419 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 96 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension | 60 | 3 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 56 | 1 | 35 |
| Seats | 54 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 50 | 10 | 2 |
| Engine | 39 | 2 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 36 | 6 | 23 |
| Steering | 35 | 1 | 2 |
| Structure | 12 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 11 | 0 | 6 |
| Wheels | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained a fracture in the finger, and forehead injury caused by the impact with the steering wheel that required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was deemed destroyed.
I have picture of the accident; The check engine was on and off sometime like a year before or maybe more can't recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer was not notified of the failure.
The air bags did not deploy when the vehicle crashed yet the complete front grill and hood of the vehicle was smashed in, front tire blown.
There were no warning lights illuminated. Both air bags under the steering wheels deployed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The front of the vehicle hood, bumper, and radiator was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments.
We took the car to mercedes benz of valencia and to say that the service department staff was unwilling to help is a gross understatement. They eventually did agree to keep the car governing and test drive it in the morning, they called the following day on december 3rd and told us to come and get the car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner
- Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available"
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns
- Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
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 2026-11-06.