2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550

I was driving on XXX in [XXX] on my way home from picking up my son from [XXX], when I noticed smoke coming from the dash while my suspension light came on. The right side of my car went down. A large amount of smoke started filling the car. I immediately tried to pull over, and as the car slowed, I told my son to get out of the truck and run far away. Once I made a stop, I was able to exit the car as well. I called Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance and the fire department. The fire department came and put out the fire and stated that the dash, console, and driver visor mirror were melted. I had inhaled a lot of smoke because I was the last one out of the car. This has resulted in smoke inhalation, PTSD, and a phobia of driving for both my son and I. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11767053

Incident

Aug 25, 2026

On February 8, 2023, I was driving the vehicle when the driver's side front door swung open while I was driving. The door would not close - the locking mechanism in the driver's front door completely failed and would not engage the door latch. My safety was put at extreme risk - the door flew open as I was taking a turn and I was forced to try to hold the door closed while driving the car. The local Mercedes Benz dealer confirmed the problem noting that the door locking mechanism was "defective"; however, Mercedes Benz did not assume responsibility for the failed door mechanism claiming that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. I did receive a very slight discount but was forced to pay for mostly all of the repair costs. There was no warning of the problem in advance - the door simply flew open while taking a turn as I was driving the vehicle and the only thing that stopped me from falling out of the vehicle was the seat belt. Mercedes Benz should institute a recall of this vehicle model - this was a very dangerous situation and I could have been hurt or killed had I not reacted quickly. I did report this to Mercedes Benz North America.

NHTSA ID

11517904

Incident

Feb 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started drifting to the right. The contact attempted to turn left and the steering wheel failed to operate as designed. The vehicle then struck the curb. The service EPS warning light was illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with a stripped steering link. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,275.

NHTSA ID

11464374

Incident

May 10, 2022

Mileage

62,275 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a grinding sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not responding while turning to the left or the right. The contact pulled over and after a short stop resumed driving. The contact stated that the EPS malfunction warning light was illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stopped the vehicle and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V250000 (Steering). The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11463858

Incident

May 9, 2022

Mileage

66,000 mi

Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause Various root causes Remedy See attached diagnostic guide.

Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Information: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, after completing diagnosis, select the damage code corresponding to the component part that caused the problem. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10-P-067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!

Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio 8.Traffic Cams Cause MB Apps is sundowned for all vehicles with NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No support available for NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variants for MB App related topics. Note: Please do not create TIPS. Please do not replace any components. HU/Hermes SW update / SCN coding will not fix the issue.

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.

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).

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.