RoadVitals

2011 Mercedes-Benz G 550

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Aug 21, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Aug 6, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz G 550, most frequently naming the body & structure and visibility categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 77 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Visibility150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE

Aug 6, 2012
189 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011 G550 and G55 (AMG) vehicles manufactured from September 20, 2010, through April 27, 2011. During the front passenger air bag deployment, parts of the molding strip could potentially become loose and become a projectile in the passenger compartment.
The risk: In the event of the passenger airbag deployment, if the molding strip comes loose, there is an increased risk of personal injury.
The remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the connection between the molding strip and air bag cover flap, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz G550. The contact stated that the vehicle was rusted. The contact stated that the suspension and body were rusted in several locations. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who referred him to the manufacturer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed him that the rust would continue to expand. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 79,280.

NHTSA ID
11539724
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
Mileage
79,280 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 7, 2016

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED MOVING. ON A TEXAS FREEWAY I-35 THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. REPEATEDLY TURNING WIPER CONTROL ON AND OFF, THE WIPERS WOULD NOT MOVE.

NHTSA ID
10883172
Incident
May 31, 2015
Mileage
44,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI54.70-P-080191

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; STRUCTURE:BODY

Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be consistently reproducible and can occur multiple times a key cycle without obvious cause. NOTE: The parking system serves solely as an aid. Please review both the system function and system limitations as shown in the Operator's Manual. Certain environmental factors can affect system functionality such as hot exhaust gases or extreme heat, sensor interference, or other outside influences or aftermarket modifications. If after verifying the complaint is consistently reproducible: 1. Determine if the complaint is reproducible only in high ambient temperatures. If complaint does not occur in cooler ambient temperatures, it is due to system limitations. You may proceed with the below work but the vehicle may be released afterwards as it is due to system limitations. 2. Remove the brush guard and verify the park distance sensors function as expected. 3. Reinstall brush guard and adjust so that it is as far away from the park sensors as possible. Typically only small adjustments are possible. 4. Check function. If the concern is still consistently reproducible, please apply clear matte film to the locations as shown below at a minimum, although the clear matte film may be applied to the whole brush guard. Picture: Above shown is the 465 brush guard variant. Although similar to the 463, there are some key differences such as the 465 being fitted with a front camera.

LI35.30-P-058566

POWER TRAIN

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

LI54.70-P-080191

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; STRUCTURE:BODY

Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be consistently reproducible and can occur multiple times a key cycle without obvious cause. NOTE: The parking system serves solely as an aid. Please review both the system function and system limitations as shown in the Operator's Manual. Certain environmental factors can affect system functionality such as hot exhaust gases or extreme heat, sensor interference, or other outside influences or aftermarket modifications. If after verifying the complaint is consistently reproducible: 1. Determine if the complaint is reproducible only in high ambient temperatures. If complaint does not occur in cooler ambient temperatures, it is due to system limitations. You may proceed with the below work but the vehicle may be released afterwards as it is due to system limitations. 2. Remove the brush guard and verify the park distance sensors function as expected. 3. Reinstall brush guard and adjust so that it is as far away from the park sensors as possible. Typically only small adjustments are possible. 4. Check function. If the concern is still consistently reproducible, please apply clear matte film to the locations as shown below at a minimum, although the clear matte film may be applied to the whole brush guard.

LI54.70-P-080191

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be consistently reproducible and can occur multiple times a key cycle without obvious cause. NOTE: The parking system serves solely as an aid. Please review both the system function and system limitations as shown in the Operator's Manual. Certain environmental factors can affect system functionality such as hot exhaust gases or extreme heat, sensor interference, or other outside influences or aftermarket modifications. If after verifying the complaint is consistently reproducible: 1. Remove the brush guard and verify the park distance sensors function as expected. 2. Reinstall brush guard and adjust so that it is as far away from the park sensors as possible. Typically only small adjustments are possible. 3. Check function. If the concern is still consistently reproducible, please apply clear matte film to the locations as shown below at a minimum, although the clear matte film may be applied to the whole brush guard.

LI00.20-P-080703

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Service code B1 displayed in the customer menu does not match the workshop code displayed in the workshop menu, e.g., 505 or 550A, which includes a service A. Cause The root cause is currently being investigated. Remedy To determine the cause, the instrument cluster control unit (N133/1) and powertrain control unit (N127) logs are required before confirming the service or correction using XENTRY Diagnosis. Please open a TIPS case to BCE inbox with the requested information in the attachments.

LI82.85-P-080507

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two conditions are also met: • HERMES (N112/9) control unit: event code B15CE00 is ACTIVE and STORED (A+S) • Vehicle Documentation System: For the HERMES control unit, the EID1, EID2, ICCID, IMEI, IMSI, TELNR fields in the "Identification/Serial number" column have the value "-" Cause Still under analysis Remedy Recommission the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis 03/2026 and add-on 33399 installed or carry out the procedure with a newer version of XENTRY Diagnosis: XENTRY→ "N112/9 - Control unit for telematics services (HERMES)" -> "Adaptations" -> "Control unit commissioning" -> "Commissioning of previously installed control unit"

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz G 550 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010
2024000
2023030
2022230
2021570
2020280
20195120
2018010
2017030
2016140
2015020
2014130
2013320
2011Viewing210
2010010
2009120
2008000
2007000
2006000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.