What 76 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-benz Gl-class

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 it’s been giving me problems so now it’s not is not reading the ignition switch and it won’t turn on it’s not drivable, and I have small three kids. I love it but the headache I can’t deal. Please help!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11635569

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormally loud crack. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear glass in the moon roof had fractured without impact. The contact used tape on the fractured glass to prevent water from entering the interior of the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the replacement parts were no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11633715

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with turbo failure. The contact was informed that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair could not be covered under the warranty. The contact stated that the failure had previously occurred almost two years prior, and the repair was covered under an unknown recall. The contact also stated that the repair was completed with a refurbished turbo charger. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11591809

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's seat was excessively hot while using the heated seat feature. The contact was burned by the excessive heat while using the heated seat. The contact stated there was no medical attention needed; however, the contact placed a pad on the seat for protection. In addition, while using the heated seat feature, the contact became aware of a burning odor. The contact contacted the dealer, and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the feature was not covered for repair under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11568732

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had stated that while depressing the brake pedal there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11544543

Mercedes Benz settled with U.S Government the diesel emission scandal. There are about 122k class members. Under the settlement, Mercedes gave 122k class members 4 year/48k miles warranty. Under the warranty, MB replaced the timing chain in May 2022 but on April, 2023 while driving on I-95 in Massachusetts, the engine completely got shut down while driving 55 miles per hour. Luckily, no one got injured. But the car was not controllable. I barely pulled to the side of the hwy and called the towing. Brought it to MB of Westwood. MB Westwood did a diagnostics.Below is the note Mercedes Benz of Westwood: The car is still at the dealership if you want to send an investigator, Engine Rebuild/Replace: after further tear down found that timing chain guide rails broke, which then got chewed up from chain and gears into smaller pieces. these small pieces got suck up into the oil pump pick up tube, blocking oil flow. The lack of oil to main engine components caused them to overheat and contacted each other (metal to metal). which ends up heating to a point in which the components stick to each other and not able to move freely any more.. Basically, The replaced Timing Chain destroyed plastic guide rails, which destroyed my engine. I notified Mercedes Benz of USA and the dealership that they need to recall 122k class members and fix the problem, but they refused to take any actions. By ignoring the problem, it could lead to casualties to thousand of people. I hope you take actions and bring Mercedes Benz USA accountable and they start recalling and fixing the problem before its too late.

NHTSA ODI 11542485

Recently discovered that water intrusion in the back of my vehicle is coming from cracks (longitudinal and transverse) on its roof. The roof has no other damage that would have caused the cracks Upon discovery, I took it to my local MB dealership and the attendant that looked at it said he had never seen such cracks and know the cause. I followed up with the Mercedes Benz corporation, who requested for my VIN, and following review of my complaint told me that there was no recall affecting roof cracks for my vehicle. They suggested that I reach out to you (NHTSA online). I am not sure when these cracks developed. I was aware of it earlier this year. The water intrusion, when not dried and depending on what time of the year, could cause mold which can seriously affect the occupants of the vehicle. It would be appreciated if you take a look at this, as well as if there are similar complaints on this GL450 models

NHTSA ODI 11537611

Breaks became unusable due to lost power break fluid caused by corrosion on the lines. Fluid was completely gone and breaks were not effective at all. Dashboard showed RED light with break error. Dealer confirmed that rust build up caused the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11502596

While I was driving the car, with the seat belt fastened, the seat belt suddenly popped out. This was a scary experience! Repeated attempts to fasten the seat belt again did not work. On closer inspection, it appears that something inside the fastening system was probably broken, and the seat belt wasn't getting fastened in there. I immediately took the car to the dealer (Mercedes Benz of El Dorado Hills). After inspecting it, they were able to reproduce the issue (seat belt not getting fastened at all) and advised replacing the seatbelt system on the car. Unfortunately, they did not have the part in stock, so they advised that they would order the part and charge me $800 for this. I can't believe that a fundamental car safety system like this would fail like this. Imagine if there was a car accident and the seat belt just popped out of the fastener, not doing the job it was designed for? Thank you for investigating this issue. It could indeed save a lot of lives, if this is a widespread issue, necessitating a recall campaign from Mercedes.

NHTSA ODI 11496088

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact was notified that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11492941

I would like to file an official complaint with Mercedes Service center prior to escalating. Due to neglection the part of your authorized dealership, I am confronted with poor and conniving customer service, strong safety concerns, and financial loss. Also, Euro Motors did not report any issues with the vehicle wire harness during the pre inspection. During the pre inspection the only thing Mechanic pointed out was the rear left air suspension bag losing air (see attached videos of pre and post inspection).I brought in my GL350 for the manufacturing recall on September 20th, with sufficient time to file for the $878.75 cash back rebate for Class Action Settlement. Euro Motors of Germantown, deliberately or carelessly kept my vehicle past the due date of the rebate. When I received the vehicle almost a month later, it stalled in the middle of the highway, risking my life as it gave no prior indication of stalling. When I opened the hood to inspect the vehicle, I noticed the harness wires were tampered with. I have actual evidence of the engine prior and post Euro Motors maintenance, which I will make available if necessary. I have lost my trust with this dealership performing and further work, and I would like Mercedes to take further action to ensure my trust in their brand. I can be available for direct discussion with contact information below. On 20th October 2022, I received my car back from the dealer. I was told their mechanic performed all safety inspection and the car is roadworthy. After I inspected my vehicle I found Euro Motorcars Mercedes-Benz Germantown location left a leaking fuel line and return the car back to me. I would like NHTSA to investigate this safety issue. Respectfully, [XXX] Service Advisor: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11490531

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while merging onto a highway, the vehicle failed to upshift at 32 MPH, without warning. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle and was then able to resume normal driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11486630

This is relative to the brake booster recall. 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 corresponded with me despite multiple emails and calls over the last 2 -3 weeks. I need A vehicle repaired so it can operate safely or I need another vehicle to drive while awaiting available parts please.

NHTSA ODI 11477415

I HAVE BEEN ISSUED A STOP DRIVE ORDER UNDER RECALL ID# 22V315. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ TWICE AND BEEN IGNORED TWICE. FIRST CALL WAS AROUND JULY 5TH-2022 AND SECOND CALL WAS ON JULY 12TH. THEY APPARENTLY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR STOP DRIVE NOTICE AS NO ONE HAS GOTTEN BACK TO ME ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11475341

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL 450. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle causing him to crash into the vehicle in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. Both air bags under the steering wheels deployed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The front of the vehicle hood, bumper, and radiator was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11473677

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) and 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11467958

AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALER (WITH @ 36,000 MILES) I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITHIN A YEAR. WHEN I WOULD BE STOPPED ON A HILL/INCLINE AND THEN ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK (AS IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING). IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD UNTIL AFTER THE SUDDEN JERKING MOTION STOPPED. IT WOULD ALSO BEHAVE THIS WAY WHEN I BACKED UP A HILL OR INCLINE. EVERY YEAR I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT WHEN THEY HAD THE CAR, THEREFORE THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I TOOK IT IN FOR A SERVICE THEY DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM ON THE ESTIMATE SHEET. HOWEVER, THIS LAST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHEN ON A HILL OR SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERS FROM A COMPLETE STOP. COME TO FIND OUT WHEN RESEARCHING THESE CARS THAT MERCEDES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ENGINES FOR A LONG TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11340730

THE REAR SUSPENSION BECAME SOFT AFTER THE DEALER DID AN INTIAL CHECK AFTER I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VEHICLE FEELING UNSTABLE AFTER SPEEDS OF 70MPH. I HAD BOTH AIR SHOCKS CHANGED IN THE REAR. AFTER TWO (2) MONTHS THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER ALSO STARTED TO LEAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUSPENSION TO AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST IN THE FRONT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THIS OCCURED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION, HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ODI 11311208

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS INOPERATIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE DUE TO FACT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MODULE FAILS. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2012 ##

NHTSA ODI 11291387

TAKATA RECALL SINCE JANUARY 2018 I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO ARRIVE FOR THIS RECALL. I HAVE MOVED TO CANADA AND IN ORDER TO TRANSFER MY VEHICLE THERE CAN BE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING MERCEDES FOR OVER A YEAR YET THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ANSWERS AS TO WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING FOR FAR TOO LONG AND IS PREVENTING ME FROM TRANSFERRING MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11219060

TAKATA RECALL. RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE FIXED. MERCEDES BENZ HAS FAILED TO REMEDY MY CAR IN A TIMELY MANNER AND THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION, RENTAL CAR OR LOANER CAR WHILE I WAIT. IT HAS BEEN 39 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED AND THERE IS NO INDICATION FROM MERCEDES WHEN THIS WILL BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11208464

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.

NHTSA ODI 11204392

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 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. AUTOBAHN MOTORS (700 ISLAND PKWY, BELMONT, CA 94002, (844) 896-1944) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11194922

ON 3/27/2019 MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRES PLUS IN NEWNAN, GA FOR PURCHASE OF 4 NEW TIRES- PACIFICALLY MICHELIN LTX. WHEN THOROUGHLY REVIEWING RECEIPT AND INVOICE, I NOTICED SEVERAL ISSUES. PLEASE SEE BELOW THE FOLLOWING: 1. MY HOME ADDRESS WAS INCORRECTLY INPUT INTO THE SYSTEM 2. VIN#: MY PACIFIC VIN# WAS NOT LISTED UNDER VIN# SECTION 3. I RESPECTFULLY ASKED TIREPLUS REP HOW DO I GO ABOUT REGISTERING MY NEW TIRES? IN RESPONSE I WAS TOLD ? HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF REGISTERING TIRES?? I EXPLAINED THE IMPORTANCE TO CORRECT CONSUMER INFO SUCH AS HOME ADDRESS AND PARTICULAR VIN# LISTED AS WELL AS EITHER GIVING ME A TIRE REGISTRATION FORM FOR ME TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO TIRE MANUFACTURER (MICHELIN) OR TO GIVE ME CONFIRMATION THAT HE DIRECTLY ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTED REGISTRATION FORM DIRECTLY TO TIRE MANUFACTURER. HE EXPLAINED, HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH PROTOCA. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW PROCESS WORKS AND HOW AS A CONSUMER I CAN GO ABOUT VERIFYING IF MY TIRES ARE PROPERLY REGISTERED FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE FUTURE RECALL ON NOTIFICATION(S) TO ME? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ODI 11192430

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. 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. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF DENVER (LOCATED AT 940 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO 80246, (303) 953-4581) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11192505