AI Damage2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 75% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 13% of all complaints
- Air bags: 6 complaints (75% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 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.
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.
I purchased a this vehicle at a dealership Laurel Ford as is no warranty for $14,000 and not even in a week of me having it the key fob was not working and itâs been giving me problems so now itâs not is not reading the ignition switch and it wonât turn on itâs not drivable, and I have small three kids.
Mercedes-Benz conducted a test and there was significant corrosion that exceeded the normal limits allowed. I am still under a stop drive order but I have not been provided any further instruction or provided a vehicle to drive while my vehicle awaits repair or buy back.Customer service representatives have not…
The takata airbag recall defect has not been repaired on our mercedez for over 3 years now. We have not been able to resell it due to the recall, valuation has decreased as well due to the repair not being performed by the dealer. Should this have been done in a timely manner? It clearly was not.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl550. While driving 15 mph, the contact activated the rear driver side turn signal, but the signal failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the "light module" failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
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 11,899 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GL550 has 7 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 8, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550?
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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 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 2012 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.