AI Damage2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450: common problems
Owners of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 filed 42 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 42
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 50% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 12% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 2% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 2% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 2% of all complaints
- Air bags: 21 complaints (50% of all).
- Service brakes: 9 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (12% of all).
- Suspension: 5 complaints (12% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (5% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 42 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 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer determined that the brake booster had failed; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired.
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 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 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 contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the ABS warning light remained activated. The contact stated there was also a grinding sound while depressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined.
There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with a recall. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet…
The vehicle has begun to "dance" and sway, abnormally on common highway bumps. It can be scary.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 mercedes-benz gl450. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,823 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GL450 has 38 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 42, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 42. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (14%), airbag warning light (5%), brake failure (2%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2010 models
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.