Home · 2012 Mercedes-benz Gl-class · Complaints

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 3 of 4

Nov 3, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR HAS AN AIRBAG AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, YET MERCEDES HAS NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE IT. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BUT THERE IS NO ACTION TO TAKE.

NHTSA ODI 11042861

Oct 31, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED MY 2012 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 NEEDED THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS REPAIRED/REPLACED. I PHONED THE LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME AND WAS ADVISED I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT. WHAT AM I TO DO AT THIS TIME TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH THIS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG?

NHTSA ODI 11041764

Oct 26, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF HOUSTON GREENWAY IN HOUSTON, TX WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11039936

Oct 26, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER A YEAR FOR THIS AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED BUT LOCAL DEALERS KEEP SAYING THEY CAN NOT GET ANY PARTS FROM MERCEDES BENZ

NHTSA ODI 11040017

Oct 26, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL NOTIFIED MAY, 2016 AND STILL AWAITING RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI 11040072

Oct 24, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JULY OF 2016. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF HENDERSON, 925 AUTO SHOW DRIVE, HENDERSON, NV, 89014) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11039270

Oct 20, 2017Airbags

TANAKA RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11035132

Oct 20, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - I'VE SPOKEN TO THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE TO DATE. OF COURSE, THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING GIVEN THE DEATHS THAT HAVE OCCURRED TO DATE.

NHTSA ODI 11035176

Aug 31, 2017Engine

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN BOISE GOING TO PORTLAND, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOST OF POWER IN VERY DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATION. THERE WERE A ROAD WORK AREA, I HAD SEMI-TRUCKS IN FRONT AND BEHIND ME. IT HAPPENED ON I-84W, AROUND 20 MILES OUT OF BAKER CITY OR, MY CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP BARRIER IN BELLEVUE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. I HAD FUEL, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SIMILAR INDICATION OR COMMING TECHNICAL ISSUE. THE CAR LOST POWER, I MANEGED TO MOVE TO SIDE THAT THE TRUCK BEHIND ME DIDN'T HIT ME! I CALLED A BAKER CITY TOWING, THEY TOW MY VEHICLE TO A SHOP IN THE TOWN, THE SHOP HAD RUN DIAGNISTICS, OIL WAS OK, OBD GAVE THEM 2 FAILURE CODES, THE TROUBLE CODE 126800, STANDART DIAGNISTICS COULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE FAILURE, FURTHER INTERNET SEARCH DIRECTED TU TURBO CHARGE FAULT AND ADVICED ME TO CONTACT MERCEDES. I CALLED BARRIER, THEY DIDN'T HELP ME AT ALL, DIRECTED ME TO MB-ROAD ASSISTANCE, THEY ORGANIZED TOWING MY CAR TO MB DEALERSHIP IN BOISE. I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE WAY HOW THE CAR FAILED WAS NOT A 21ST CENTURY EXPERIENCE. NO WARNING, NOTHING TELLING ME THAT THE TECHNICAL STATUS OF THE CAR DETERIORATE..

NHTSA ODI 11020711

Aug 22, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT CONTACTED CRITZ MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAVANNAH (7000 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406 (912) 354-7000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11018922

Jul 24, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CUTLER BAY AT 10701 SW 211 ST, CUTLER BAY, FL 33189 (305) 251-0345 WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. (VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE/PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT)

NHTSA ODI 11010219

Jul 5, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD KEEP THE CONTACT INFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP LETTER; HOWEVER, NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS MADE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/10/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11003121

Jun 29, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT THIS RECALL IS STILL NOT RESOLVED BY MERCEDES. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE YEAR SINCE IT WAS REPORTED AND STILL NOTHING. THERE WAS SOMEONE IN CANADA THAT WANTED TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE BUT BECAUSE OF THE RECALL IT COULD NOT BE IMPORTED.

NHTSA ODI 11002357

May 19, 2017Suspension

AT 80K MILES THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STARTED LEAKING AND I HAD THEM REPLACED AT A COST $2414.42. I WAS ALWAYS WORRIED THAT NEXT WAS THE BACK SUSPENSION AND THIS IS NOW TRUE THAT I HAVE TO DO THE SAME FOR THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION AND I CAN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE LAST REPAIR PRICE THAT PERHAPS WILL BE PAYING ANOTHER $2500. I HAVE SPOKEN TO VARIOUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF CARS WHOM I MET WITH FLATTENED AIR SUSPENSIONS AND DID NOT KNOW WHY THEIR CAR SUSPENSIONS WERE LEAKING. AT LEAST IT WOULD BE GOOD IF MERCEDES COULD PROVIDE US WITH METAL ALTERNATIVES BECAUSE DO THINK IN THE NEXT 2 TO 3 YEARS, I WILL BE REPLACING THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. PLEASE HELP, THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT OR EVEN FAIR TO HAVE LEAKING SUSPENSION.

NHTSA ODI 10990521

Mar 31, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V061000 (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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10969721

Mar 29, 2017Lights

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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 06/01/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ODI 10969294

Feb 11, 2017Suspension

AIRMATIC SUSPENSION LEAK. REQUIRING EXPENSIVE REPAIRE.. ONLY HAS 61000 MILES

NHTSA ODI 10954012

Dec 20, 2016Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10936430

Dec 8, 2016Airbags

TAMARA RECALL. I JUST WENT TO TRADE IN MY 75K CAR FOR A NEW MERCEDES.THE SALESPERSON TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT WORTH BUT 16K BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT EVEN SELL MY CAR WITH THE FAULTY AIRBAGS AND THE EPA ISSUE. I WANT TO KNOW WHY MERCEDES LET ME DRIVE MY UNSAFE AND NOW VALUELESS CAR FOR 4 YEARS WITHOUT TELLING ME. THE SALESMAN ALSO TOLD ME WHEN IT GETS 100K MILES IT WILL BE WORTH NOTHING! WHAT DO SUGGEST I DO AT THIS POINT?

NHTSA ODI 10934001

Oct 7, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 10914817

May 4, 2016AirbagsBody & structureWheelsCrash2 injuries

TAKATA RECALL - I HAD HEAD-ON COLLISION ACCIDENT ON 02/03/2015, STEERING WHEEL AND LEG AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED, BUT CAUSED ME INJURY AFTER IT DEPLOYED TO MY HAND, FINGERS AND KNEES. ONCE LEG AIR BAD DEPLOYED, MY RIGHT KNEED HIT THE SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT AND CAUSED INJURY. MERCEDES DON'T INSTALL THIS SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE SEAT ANYMORE AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS FLAW IN DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THIS SWITCH AND NOW THEY CHANGED THE LOCATION OF SWITCH. THEY MIGHT HAVE FOUND SOMETHING IN THEIR TESTING. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FINGERS CAUSED BY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE INJURY BY LEG AIR BAD HITTING THE SWITCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT SCENE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. AROUND 8:05 AM I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. 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 MOVED SLOWLY TO RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER OF BRIDGE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE, NEXT THING I KNOW L HEAR LOUD SOUND, GAS & BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STRENGTH CAME IN ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE WALK AWAY 10-15 YARD AWAY FROM MY CAR. POLICE REPORT FILED - YES BOTH CARS DRIVER WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. HTTP://WWW.COLUMBIATRIBUNE.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/COLLISION-ON-SCOTT-BOULEVARD-SENDS-TWO-TO-HOSPITAL/ARTICLE_14347E77-9E46-5BE1-90A4-CE8467474D2F.HTML OPENED CASE WITH MERCEDES BENZ - CASE NUMBER: CA767053

NHTSA ODI 10863167

Mar 30, 2016Engine

ENGINE OIL COOLER LEACK $3500 REPAIR JOB AT MERCEDES GREENWAY HOUSTON , AIRMATIC SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, $3500 ABS SPEED SENSOR , INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROLL BROKEN

NHTSA ODI 10852587

Mar 21, 2016Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

ON JANUARY 8, 2014, THE OWNER OF THE 2012 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 WAS INSIDE HER VEHICLE WITHIN THE GARAGE OF HER RESIDENCE, PREPARING TO LEAVE TO PERFORM ERRANDS. REALIZING SHE NEED TO ATTEND TO HER YOUNG CHILDREN, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GL450 SUDDENLY BEGAN MOVING REARWARD IN REVERSE. THE REVERSING VEHICLE PINNED THE OWNER BETWEEN THE OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE GARAGE WALL, IMPACTING THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BODY WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO FRACTURE HER PELVIS AND BEND BACK THE HINGES OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR (SEE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH. THE VEHICLE THEN CAREENED OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH HER TWO SMALL CHILDREN INSIDE THE RUNAWAY DRIVERLESS VEHICLE. FEARING FOR THE SAFETY OF HER YOUNG CHILDREN WHO WERE STILL IN THE GL450, THE SEVERELY INJURED OWNER RAN DOWN THE DRIVEWAY TOWARD THE VEHICLE AND REACHED IT JUST BEFORE IT CRASHED INTO A GATE. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS.

NHTSA ODI 10850900

Feb 4, 2016Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

ON 01/08/14, A FEMALE DRIVER OF A 2012 GL 450 WAS STATIONARY, IN THE GARAGE, WITH ENGINE RUNNING. BEFORE SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK ON HER CHILD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SHE PRESSED THE PARK BUTTON ON THE DRIVE SELECT ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED COLUMN SHIFTER. AS SHE EXITED AND WALKED AROUND TO HER CHILD, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE TRAVELLED BACKWARDS AND PINNED HER BETWEEN THE OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE GARAGE WALL. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE'S DOOR HINGE BOLTS BROKE, THE DOOR FOLDED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO EXTRICATE HERSELF, AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL IN REVERSE UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED BY A COLUMN AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MASSIVE DEBILITATING INJURIES. WE BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE OF AT LEAST TWO SERIOUS ENGINEERING MISTAKES AND/OR DEFECTS, THE MERCEDES GL 450 DRIVE SELECT ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED COLUMN SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 2012 ##

NHTSA ODI 10824225

Sep 15, 2015Electrical systemFuel system

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE LEFT LANE OF A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE LOST ENGINE POWER AND POWER STEERING. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS LIGHT RAIN AND THE ROAD WAS WET. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND RESTART THE ENGINE BUT IT DIED WITHIN TWO TO THREE SECONDS. I THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN A RUNNING ENGINE AFTER ABOUT 5 RESTART CYCLES. THE ENGINE LOSS OF POWER HAS BEEN TRACED BACK BY A MERCEDES REPAIR CENTER TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP IN THE GAS TANK. THIS INCIDENT DEMONSTRATES THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION REPORTED UNDER ITEM #10745399 OCCURS IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS AND NOT JUST WHEN TRAVELING OVER A PUDDLE. MERCEDES REFUSES TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 10763948

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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 →