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What 26 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Mercedes-benz GLS

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 (26)Crash / fire / injury (3)Suspension (5)Engine (4)Engine & cooling (4)Electrical system (3)Airbags (2)Backup camera & sensors (2)Body & structure (2)Brakes (2)Steering (2)Fuel system (1)

3 of 26 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters

Oct 11, 2023Electrical systemBrakes

At first, the parking brake assist would appear when vehicle was put into park or when starting. We would have to release the parking brake each time. Then, the parking brake assist light would not go on, but the parking brake assist would engage and or be sticking while driving causing a burning smell and damage to the rear braking system including brake pads and calipers. The independent repair professional described this as being a very premature issue for this vehicle considering the age and mileage. The electronic parking brake actuators electric motors malfunctioned and failed causing resistance on the calipers. The car was undrivable and required us to obtain a rental car for several days.

NHTSA ODI 11549440

Jun 23, 2023Electrical systemBody & structureBackup camera & sensors

Vehicle was damaged by a school bus hitting the rear passenger corner. It damaged the rear tail light, brake light, turn signal and backup warning sensors. Parts to repair the vehicle are not available for the past 4 months. I called multiple times and the dealer cannot provide a date when the parts will be available. The total cost of repairs is $3200.00. To avoid paying rental car fees that the school would have to pay, I’m driving a unrepaired car. The cost to rent a car would exceed the cost to repair the vehicle by 3-4 times the total repair cost. It is a law that car manufacturers have parts available to repair vehicles damaged by accidents. I would like NHTSA enforce the law.

NHTSA ODI 11528599

Dec 11, 2019EngineElectrical system

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ̃75MPH TOWARD 202 W ARIZONA FREEWAY, DASHBOARD SHOWED A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION + 48 V BATTERY SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL:. 1 MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ERROR ON SCREEN SAYING, COOLANT OFF TURN ENGINE OFF. THEN THE CAR LOST THE POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OFF FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS BEHIND US. CAR IN SERVICE AT MERCEDES DEALER IN CHANDLER AZ

NHTSA ODI 11288497

Working with the data? Download all 26 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 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 2019 Mercedes-benz GLS verdict →