Home · 2011 Mercedes-benz Gl-class · Complaints

What 97 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-benz Gl-class

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (97)Crash / fire / injury (6)Airbags (56)Brakes (11)Suspension (11)Engine (7)Electrical system (6)Steering (3)Fuel system (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Backup camera & sensors (1)Fuel System, Diesel (1)

11 of 97 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

Nov 14, 2025Brakes

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while reversing, the brake pedal was depressed with an abnormal hissing sound coming from the brake pedal. The contact stated that the sound was audible since the vehicle was purchased in 2019. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact received a vehicle compliance letter from the manufacturer, which stated that a mobile mechanic could be sent to the residence to inspect the vehicle, and the dealer would offer tow service. However, when the dealer was contacted, the dealer refused to assist the contact with the tow service or a mobile mechanic. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle remained at the residence and had not been driven due to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 11699386

Aug 26, 2025Brakes

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message for brake and traction control failure was intermittently displayed, causing the cruise control to disengage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with ha ydraulic control unit failure. The contact was informed that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to two undisclosed recalls; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11683170

Mar 24, 2025Brakes

- The hard brake lines from the going to the rear axle ruptured during light braking. The corroded sections have been removed and are available. - I had no indication of a problem until I went to stop the vehicle. I was able to slow the vehicle down but could not keep it from moving forward with out being in neutral. Had there been another car in front of me or in traffic, I would not of been able to stop. - The problem cannot be reproduced by a dealer, since the corroded and ruptured section of the lines had to be replaced. There has been no inspection of the issue since no accident occurred. - No warning lamps or any indication of a problem until the brake pedal was applied. Pedal was firm then suddenly went to the floor (repeatedly). Only until all the fluid drained from the reservoir did the "brake" light come on.

NHTSA ODI 11650259

Dec 12, 2024Brakes

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11630391

Jun 25, 2024BrakesCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop, which led him to rear-end a truck in front. 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. The contact related the failure to the received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ODI 11596585

Jan 31, 2024AirbagsBrakesCrash2 injuries

I [XXX] own. The Mercedes Benz, it was in recall for the Air Bag, I took it to the Dealer at the Coral Gables Dealership of the Mercedes, 300 Almeria Ave, Coral Gables 33134. Phone (305)306-3549. and it was check. I was involved in an Accident on ([XXX]) went into a canal. 50 feet down, the Air Bag did not OPEN, the Brake did not brake properly the truck slip through the grass, and we end it in the Canal. I did not was advise the brake were in recall found out later on after the accident the GEIGO the insurance Company advise, but it was too late. I We were Born that Day my husband and me. 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)

NHTSA ODI 11569056

Sep 11, 2023Brakes

Brakes pipe lines

NHTSA ODI 11543894

Nov 2, 2022Brakes

Brought this vehicle into Mercedes-Benz of Peoria, Peoria, IL. for routine maintenance on May 19, 2022. When I returned to pick up vehicle, I was informed of the Do Not Drive recall and was informed I could not drive my car. I was only offered a curtesy car for that night and then had to find my own rental car, which I have done, incurring $7,675.11 in rental charges through August 2022. I have received zero updates from Mercedes as to when they will fix this problem. I have also not received any reimbursement for my rental car expenses.

NHTSA ODI 11491926

Sep 13, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11484310

May 16, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard. The contact then pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. However, there was 20-foot stopping distance delay. The warning message "Brake Fluid Low" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed a trail of brake fluid on the ground. The contact was able to refill the brake fluid reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake fit knots, the brake fitting union, and brake fluid line were repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 129,748.

NHTSA ODI 11464858

Mar 18, 2016AirbagsBrakesFuel system

I BOUGHT A MERCEDES GL450 ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF EVER SINCE I GOT IT, ALSO THE REASON I PURSHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I'VE HEARD GOOD THINGS FROM MERCEDES " THAT IT'S SAFE AND A RELIABLE VEHICLE" . SO I THOUGHT AND I WOULD'VE NEVER IMAGINE THIS VEHICLE PUT ME MY FAMILY AND I AT RISK. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG. THE SENSOR KEEPS ON TRIGGERING IT SO ITS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO I HAVE AN ABS/ESP SENSOR ON AS WELL. SO AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES FREQUENT, THERE'S TIMES THAT IT DOESN'T AT ALL AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. HUGE RED FLAG!!! ON TOP OF THAT I HAVE A FUEL LEAK WHICH I NEVER TOUGHT IT WAS A LEAK, II SMELLED GAS ALL THE TIME AND LIVING BY A GAS STATION I WOULDVE NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE MY CAR. YET THE SMELL FOLLOWED ME EVERYWHERE I WENT WITH THE CAR. SO WHEN I FINALLY LOOKED INTO IT, MIND YOU I NEVER DOUBTED THE MERCEDES BRAND, BUT WAS I WRONG AGAIN.... I HAVE A FUEL LEAK NOW ON TOP OF MY OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS... SCARY ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS ABOARD ALSO I HAVE DONE MORE INVESTIGATING ON THE ABS AND IT TELLS ME THAT ALSO MY CAR IS AT RISK OF SLIDING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAR IS JUST SITTING ON MY DRIVEWAY.. THIS VEHICLE IS SO EXPENSIVE YET SO MANY PROBLEMS AND NONE OF THEM ARE MAINTENANCE ISSUES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MERCEDES CORPORATE AND SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR AND THEY CANT DO NOTHING ABOUT IT ALSO THAT MY CAR IS OLD IS PROBABLY A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. MERCEDES CANT EVEN STAND BEHIND THERE EXPENSIVE PRODUCT... WHAT ARE WE REALLY PAYING FOR ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS UNSAFE.... MY CAR CAN BLOW UP ANY MINUTE....!!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND MIND YOU MY CAR ISNT THAT OLD. ITS A 2011!!!! I HAVE HAD A TOYOTA COROLLA THAT HASNT GAVE ME ANY ISSUES FOR OVER 10 YEARS.!! ITS UNACCEPTABLE AND THE FACT THAT MERCEDES CANT EVEN FIX MY ISSUE EVEN WITH A SAFETY HAZARD...!!! I DEMAND SOMETHING TO BE DONE AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI 10850434

Working with the data? Download all 97 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Mercedes-benz Gl-class verdict →