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What 76 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 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 (76)Crash / fire / injury (6)Airbags (40)Brakes (10)Suspension (7)Transmission & drivetrain (5)Engine (4)Electrical system (3)Fuel system (3)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (2)Seat belts (2)Body & structure (1)

Newest first · 76 complaints · page 2 of 4

Mar 12, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350W4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CROWN EUROCARS (6500 PERIMETER LOOP RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (888) 854-8278) 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11186221

Mar 6, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

UPON ACCELERATION A CLUNKING SOUND COMES FROM WITHIN THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS VEHICLE HAS @ 148,000 MAINLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. THIS TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM IS A PREMATURE FAILURE AND IS REMINISCENT OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM MERCEDES HAD @ 12 YEARS AGO

NHTSA ODI 11184744

Feb 27, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

NHTSA HEADQUARTERS 1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE SE. WEST BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20590 TEL: 1-(888)-327-4236 TEL: 1-202-336-9550 EMAIL: NHTSA.WEBMASTER@DOT.GOV WEB: WWW.NHTSA.GOV REF: FORMAL COMPLAINT - 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 GL- THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE 1) FAILURE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL REPAIR IN TIMELY MANNER - 2) REFUSAL TO CONDUCT REPAIR UNDER ITS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY 3) REFUSAL TO PROVIDE MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR DEFECTIVE AUTO PARTS & LABOR MR. SIR OR MADAM, THE PURPOSE OF THIS LETTER IS TO NOTIFY THE NHTSA THAT MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS FAILED TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS IN TIMELY MANNER, AND, THE CORPORATION HAS ALSO REFUSED TO CONDUCT REPAIR UNDER ITS WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS FOR MY 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 GL (VIN: XXXX) ACCORDING TO THE US SAFETY LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THIS LETTER MANDATES THAT MERCEDES BENZ USA SHOULD PERFORM ALL REQUIRED SAFETY RECALL REPAIR FOR DYSFUNCTIONAL AIRBAG INFLATORS AND DEFECTIVE REAR DOOR LOCK & MOTOR FOR OUR CORPORATE VEHICLE - 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 GL IN TIMELY MANNER, NOT LATER THAN 15 DAYS BECAUSE : 1) MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS FAILED TO REFORM ORIGINAL SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS DURING LAST TWO YEARS ' SINCE FEBRUARY 9, 2016. 2) A DRIVER-SIDE EXPLOSION DURING DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN METAL STRIKING THE FRONT PASSENGER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH ' SIMPLY THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. (SEE ATTACHED COPIES). PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11182895

Feb 8, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THE RECALL GOING ON FOR 3 YEARS NOW, AND STILL IS NOT COMPLETE. MERCEDES HAS SEVERAL TIMES PUSHED OUT THE DATE THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. NOW, MERCEDES IS SHOWING THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE 2019. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH THE RISK OF POTENTIAL INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAG INFLATOR BEING FAULTY. THEY SHOULD FIND THE MEANS AND PARTS TO FIX THIS ISSUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS SHOULDN'T TAKE OVER 3 YEARS, AND IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11175755

Dec 21, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. FEB 09,2016 . MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2018030011 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V081 WHY IS THE RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE/.REMEDY STILL NOT YET AVAILABLE???? I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY DIRECT ISSUE BUT WANT TO KNOW WHY IKNOWN PROBLEM IS NOT RECTIFIED?

NHTSA ODI 11162916

Nov 7, 2018Fuel system

THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WHEN PARKED AND WHEN DRIVING. WE HAVEN'T FOUND ANY GAS ON THE FLOOR OF OUR GARAGE BUT DEFINITELY A STRONG GAS SMELL AND FUMES. WE HAVE TRIED TO FILL THE TANK 1/2 WAY BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP THE SMELL/FUMES ARE THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE HOUSE INCLUDING THE 3RD FLOOR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT EXPLODING OR CATCHING ON FIRE. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF OTHER MERCEDES LEAKING GAS AND WONDER IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS A GL 450?

NHTSA ODI 11149871

Oct 6, 2018Suspension

4-5 MILES INTO DRIVING AIRMATIC MALFUNCTION APPEARS ON MY DASHBOARD ( PICTURE OF AN STRAIGHT UP ARROW IN THE MIDDLE OF CAR PICTURE) WHEN I INCREASE THE SPEED TO 50 MILES THE TACHOMETER GOES CRAZY AND I HEAR LOUD SOUND. CAR HAS LESS THAN 50 000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11138764

Sep 25, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350BTC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END AND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LEFT TO COOL DOWN. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BURNED. THERE WAS NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS BURNED. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS STUCK AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEDFORD AT 440-439-0100 (LOCATED AT 18122 ROCKSIDE RD, BEDFORD, OH 44146) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE PICKED UP BY THE DEALER AND A DISCOUNT COULD BE OFFERED TOWARD THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11131160

Aug 30, 2018Suspension

AT AROUND 60K MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION ON BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES (AROUND $3,000). NOW I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BACK AND WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AS WELL AT 69K MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11123444

Aug 24, 2018Airbags

I RECEIVED 2 LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ USA REGARDING THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE 1ST LETTER GAVE ME A DATE IN MARCH FOR REPLACEMENT. THE 2ND LETTER STATED MY AIRBAG WOULD BE REPLACED IN JULY 2018. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THE REPLACEMENTS HAVE YET TO BE RECEIVED AND TO CALL MERCEDES CORPORATE

NHTSA ODI 11122103

Jul 25, 2018Suspension

CAR JUST REACHED 90K MILES WITH LIMITED DRIVING. THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HAS BEEN ACTING ODDLY FOR THE PAST MONTH - I WOULD FIND IT LOW IN THE REAR IN THE MORNING AFTER BEING PARKED IN A FLAT GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY THE ENTIRE CAR WOULD BE LOWERED. WHE IS TURN OFF THE CAR, YOU WOULD HEAR AIR BEING RELEASED. TODAY, WHEN PARKED, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THE CAR SHOOK FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THE ENTIRE THING SANK TO THE WHEEL WELLS. ASSUME THE COMPRESSOR HAS EXPLODED AND AFTER READING VARIOUS POSTS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL MERCEDES THAT HAVE AIRMATIC SUSPENSIONS AND SHOULD BE FIXED/RECALLED BY MERCEDES.

NHTSA ODI 11113701

Jun 26, 2018Airbags

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ USA GIVING ME A DATE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR A AIRBAG RECALL REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE AROUND MARCH 31, 2018. IT IS JUNE 26 AND THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. WAITING FOR ALMOST 12 MONTHS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG RECALL REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO WAIT ALMOST A YEAR TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11104138

Apr 30, 2018Brakes

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2012 GL 450 MERCEDES BENZ ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKES ENGAGED BEFORE I COULD STOP MY VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. IT LITERALLY ALMOST SENT ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, A HARD GRINDING SOUND AND AN INTENSE STOP. STILL TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE JERKED AND JERKED AND THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO ENGAGE. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF THE ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY OR A BAD SENSOR THEN IT SHOULD NOT ENGAGE ITSELF AT ALL. I CALLED THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER AND SPOKE WITH A SPECIALIST AND HE INFORMED ME THAT YES THE BRAKES WILL ENGAGE IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS. AGAIN THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ON THE SENSORS WHETHER IT'S THE ABS SENSORS OR THE SPEED SENSOR WHICH THEY ALSO INFORMED US THAT COULD CAUSE THIS MALFUNCTION. REGARDLESS THE VEHICLE BRAKES SHOULD NOT ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11091111

Apr 22, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI 11089291

Mar 15, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALLS HELLO, I AM CURRENTLY STATIONED IN GERMANY AND NEED TO SHIP MY VEHICLE BACK BUT CAN'T WITH THIS OPEN RECALL WHICH WAS GENERATED AFTER DEPARTING FROM THE US. HOW DO I GET AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RECALL UNTIL THE VEHICLE ARRIVES IN THE US? THANKS, MATT

NHTSA ODI 11079501

Jan 12, 2018Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THE BALANCING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. IT FELT LIKE I WAS REAR ENDED. THEN WAS VEHICLE WAS SITTING ON THE SPRINGS. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 83000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT AND NOW REAR SUSPENSION.

NHTSA ODI 11062320

Jan 8, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ SAN JUAN, 400 E EXPY 83, SAN JUAN, TX 78589 (956) 436-5702) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED A POSTCARD FROM TK HOLDINGS, ALERTING HER THAT THEY FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11061250

Dec 26, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT BUT IF THERE WAS IT COULD BE FATAL. I LIVE IN A HOT, HUMID AREA THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED BEFORE OTHER AREAS. MY COMPLAINT IS THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOCATED FOR MY CAR. NEED IT DONE!

NHTSA ODI 11056672

Dec 23, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE AIR BAG IN MY CAR YET BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOT A REPLACEMENT YET. HERE IT IS ALMOST 2018.

NHTSA ODI 11056227

Dec 14, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL MB ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE TAKATA AIRBAG IN FEB 2016. WE STILL HAVE NOT HAD THE AIRBAG REPLACED. WE CAN'T USE THE VEHICLE DUE TO RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN EVEN A MINOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FAULTY AIRBAG WITH AN INFLATOR THAT COULD CAUSE EXPLOSION OF METAL FRAGMENTS IMPACTING PASSENGERS. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V081

NHTSA ODI 11054803

Dec 10, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL: CONTACTED THE COMPANY STILL NO WORD ON REPLACEMENT OF AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI 11053760

Dec 9, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL: I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ NUMEROUS TIMES CONCERNING THE RECALL AND I CANNOT GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER. THE LAST TIME (A FEW WEEKS AGO BY CORPORATE) I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS AIRBAGS GO OFF AND NO ONE WAS TERRIBLY INJURED (I.E. SHRAPNEL) NOT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECALL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT GET THE NEW PARTS. THIS IS THE STORY THEY ARE TELLING SINCE DAY ONE OF THE RECALL. I HONESTLY DON'T THINK MERCEDES BENZ HAS ANY INTENTION OF FIXING THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. THIS IS VERY UPSETTING SINCE I FEEL I AM DRIVING MY FAMILY AROUND IN A TIME BOMB DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THESE AIR BAGS. ISN'T THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO? I TRULY BELIEVE THEY ARE LYING SINCE THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX THESE AIRBAGS AND HAVE PRETTY MUCH SAID THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO SO BASED ON MY LAST CONVERSATION. THIS IS THE INFORMATION COMING FROM CORPORATE.

NHTSA ODI 11053702

Dec 2, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11051889

Nov 30, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL ON AIRBAG AND MERCEDES DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO REPAIR SAID AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI 11051439

Nov 7, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL -THE RECALL WAS OVER 1 YEAR AGO AND STILL DEALER SAYS THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS YET

NHTSA ODI 11044287

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Working with the data? Download all 76 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 2012 Mercedes-benz Gl-class verdict →