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)

3 of 76 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters

Oct 24, 2022Fuel system

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

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

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

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 →