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

We smelled smoke from under the passenger seat. We had the car in for a recall and service recently and didn’t understand what was happening. Our three Children smelled the smoke too. Everyone exited the car and it burst into flames.

NHTSA ODI 11522087

Intermittently car does not engage when key fob is inserted into eis (electric ignition switch) and turned. No dash lights turn on, car does not start. Car has turned off while driving. Car has remained running when key was removed. Key will lock and unlock doors and open hatch.

NHTSA ODI 11517502

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE IGNITION. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. OPEN ROAD MERCEDES-BENZ (1250 US-22, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, NJ 08807 (908) 685-0800) DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *AS CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE ISSUE IS SAME AS NOTED BY MERCEDES BENZ IN THEIR SERVICE CAMPAIGN (HTTPS://TESTING-PUBLIC.CARMD.COM/TSB/DOWNLOAD/97801/218390). ON THE 3RD PAGE, THERE IS A REFERENCE TO THE 'GL' MODEL CARS AND THE YEAR, HOWEVER MY CAR WASN'T NOTED IN THAT CAMPAIGN, WHICH SHOULD'VE BEEN. I WENT THROUGH QUIET AN INCONVENIENCE AS A RESULT PERSONALLY AND MONETARILY BY M. BENZ'S FAILURE ACCURATELY INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AS PART OF THIS SERVICE CAMPAIGN. *JB

NHTSA ODI 11206495

THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH EITHER WON'T START THE ENGINE OR WILL FINALLY START AFTER A LONG DELAY OR AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE ENGINE USING EITHER OF THE TWO ELECTRONIC KEYS. THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START CAUSING MY WIFE TO BE STRANDED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. MERCEDES HAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN #2013040001 THAT APPLIES TO THIS VERY VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS VERY PROBLEM BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EIS) PROBLEM WITH MOST OF THESE 2011 - 2012 VEHICLES AS ANY GOOGLE SEARCH WILL REVEAL.

NHTSA ODI 10958420

THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO ME AS A CPO VEHICLE FROM MERCEDES BENZ OF GREENWICH WITH 32K MILES IN 2014. SINCE OWNERSHIP ALL AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED EXCEPT THE RECALLED TAKATA STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG. THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS, REAR AIRBAGS ETC. ARE NOW ON THE SECOND REPLACEMENT. THE COMPUTER FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND THE DASHBOARD WENT COMPLETELY BLACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS CONTINUAL PROBLEMS AND FAILURES. IT THE SOUND LIKE THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I WAS TOLD TO SELL THE CAR PRIVATELY SINCE THE VALUE HAS PLUMMETED.

NHTSA ODI 10948750

IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND LESS THAN 1,500 MILES, THE BRAND NEW SUV'S STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING DURING THE TURN, THE BELT , THE PULLEY AND THE TENSIONER WERE BROKEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *KB

NHTSA ODI 10429298