RoadVitals

2007 Mercedes-Benz Gl

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.
3
Latest Apr 14, 2013
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.
2
Latest Jun 2, 2008
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Gl, most frequently naming the fuel system, interior & seats and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Fuel system133.3%
  • Interior & seats133.3%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%

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

2 campaigns 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
08V242000

TRAILER HITCHES

Jun 2, 2008
52,740 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 52,740 MY 2006-2008 GL AND ML CLASS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FLEX-N-GATE TRAILER HITCH. SOME OF THE WELD SEAMS CONNECTING THE TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER TO THE ATTACHMENT BAR USED TO SECURE THE TRAILER HITCH TO THE BODY FRAME DO NOT MEET PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS.
The risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE TRAILE RHITCH RECEIVER SEPARATING FROM THE ATTACHMENT BAR, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. THE TRAILER HITCH MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE TRAILER HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2008. OWENRS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2008050004View on NHTSA.gov
08V006000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Jan 9, 2008
9,004 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR COULD FAIL DUE TO SEPARATION OF BOND WIRES FROM THE LEAD FRAME IN THE SENSOR. THIS RESULTS IN AN INTERRUPTION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE CHIP HOUSING OF THE SENSOR.
The risk: WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE POWER RATHER THAN ENTER A LIMP-HOME MODE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED AFTER FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE SENSOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2008010005View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 14, 2013

WHILE DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES TO A HOUR ON CRUISE CONTROL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN Y CRUISE CONTROL SENDS UP A ERROR MESSAGE N CUTS OUT THEN MY TRANSMISSION DROPS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 6TH GEAR AND WOULD GET STUCK AND I CAN'T SHIFT IT AT ALL. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN MY OF THE CAR TURN IT BACK ON JUST SO THE TRANNY WOULD SHIFT NORMAL. ANOTHER 30 MIN OR SO IT DOES IT AGAIN N I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCESS TO RESET MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508175
Incident
Jan 5, 2013
Mileage
79,500 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 13, 2011
1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WITH SEAT HEATER ON WHEN I FELT BURNING ON LEFT SIDE OF MY LOWER BACK. I FELT THE SEAT AND IT WAS VERY HOT AND MELTING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF, BUT I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT STOP. THE SEAT BEGAN TO COOL, BUT I SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, I LOOKED AND SAW A BURN IN THE SEAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY; THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ACTED VERY SURPRISED AND CONCERNED ABOUT MY SEAT, AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN PROBLEM BEFORE. THEY HAD ME SET UP A SERVICE APPOINTMENT, THE APPOINTMENT RECEPTIONIST SAID "HOW STRANGE- WE HAD A CALL YESTERDAY ABOUT A GL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM" I HAD MY SERVICE APPOINTMENT TODAY. AFTER INSPECTING THE GL, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM IN MY SEAT WAS DUE TO WEAR. THEY SAID THAT IT IS THE SIDE THAT I ENTER THE CAR AND I MUST HAVE WORN IT DOWN, AND THAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION WHICH LEAD TO MY SEAT GETTING OVERHEATED AND MELTED. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE SEAT OR THE PROBLEM. THEY DID DISCONNECT THE SEAT HEATER. I AM SHOCKED BY THE MB SERVICE. THERE IS ONLY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR, AND TO INSINUATE THAT THE WAY I GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IS ABSURD. MB NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ADMIT TO THE DANGER THAT GL OWNER ARE EXPOSED TO. I AM A LOYAL COSTUMER WHO HAS OWNED SEVERAL MERCEDES. I AM A MOTHER OF 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, I WAS SO RELIEVED THAT THEY WERE NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I SENSED THE HEAT BEFORE THERE WAS A FIRE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN SEATED A LITTLE MORE TO THE RIGHT OR WEARING A HEAVY COAT I MIGHT NOT HAVE FELT THE MELTING TILL I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN GREAT DANGER. I THINK THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE DESIGN THAT POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF ANY GL OWNER. TOMORROW I WILL CONTACT AN ATTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10439844
Incident
Dec 8, 2011
Mileage
68,800 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOST POWER. THE CONTACT SWAYED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10232929
Incident
Jan 15, 2008

Manufacturer communications

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

SB-32-25-82

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM; SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

MERCEDES-BENZ: SHOCK ABSORBER PROCEDURE. *RM

SB-P-047231

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT; STEERING; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

MERCEDES: UNEVEN STEERING FORCES WHEN STEERING FROM LOCK TO LOCK. INCREASED STEERING FORCES IN CERTAIN POSITIONS. APPROXIMATELY EVERY 90 DEGREES A PRESSURE POINT CAN BE FELT WHICH MUST BE OVERCOME BY INCREASED FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. UNIVERSAL JOINT IN STEERING COUPLING, (STEER COUPLING) HAS EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE. REPLACE STEERING COUPLING (STEER COUPLING). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

033008

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ UPDATED 8/28/08. *PE

TB-46-20-61

STEERING

RATTLING/THUMPING NOISE ON ROUGH ROADS AND/OR KNOCKING NOISE WHEN MOVING STEERING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ON ALL MODEL 164 AND 251 VEHICLES. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE

TB 83 10 112

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WATER ENTRY INTO VEHICLE INTERIOR FOR ALL MODEL 164 VEHICLES. *PE

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 Gl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011320—
2010400—
2009100—
2008130—
2007Viewing320—
2006020—

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.