AI DamageMercedes-Benz GL550: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz GL550 across 10 model years: 69 owner complaints and 76 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 35% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 16% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- Air bags: 24 complaints (35% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 11 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Steering: 11 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 69 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 | 24 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 36 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 23 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 2 |
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 air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot.
When I was on bridge near the fire station, I saw silver car came in my lane and driving towards me. I came in my mind that this car is going to hit me and as it was coming closer and thought came in my mind that I might die.
The contact stated the engine was turned on with the gear selector placed in the "park" position when an unexpected acceleration occurred which caused the vehicle to jump over two curbs and crashed into a tree. The vehicle continued to accelerate and then crashed into two unoccupied vehicles.
The brake failure and front passenger air bag warning lights later illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was a brake fluid leak in the air suspension system.
There were no warning lights from the vehicle. We had it towed to an independent repair shop where they determined the brake booster had failed. They did a recall check and saw that it didn't apply to our specific vehicle. They repaired it which cost $2500.
Vehicle was parked on the driveway, brake sign came on upon start and system malfunction error showed on screen, vehicle started lowering automatically and Air compressor stopped working.
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.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
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…
- 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
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
- Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
- Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD…
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.