RoadVitals

2011 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 Oct 10, 2011
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 Oct 3, 2011
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Gl, most frequently naming the steering, driver assistance and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

  • Steering250.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%

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

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
11V496000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Oct 3, 2011
6,872 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VEHICLES INCLUDING E-CLASS (212 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2010 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2011, R-CLASS (251 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2010 THROUGH APRIL 2011, ML-CLASS (W164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, GL-CLASS (X164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 S-CLASS (221 PLATFORM) VEHICLES. THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA AROUND THE HEATING COMPONENT.
The risk: DIESEL FUEL MAY BE DEPOSITED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
The remedy: MBUSA WILL CONTACT OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ USA AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.View on NHTSA.gov
10V540000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL FILTER

Oct 29, 2010
2,297 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 M-CLASS, MODEL W164, GL-CLASS, MODEL X164, E-CLASS, MODEL W212, R-CLASS, AND MODEL V251VEHICLES. THE O-RING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED IN ALL CASES. LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN LEAD TO LEAKAGE OF THE FUEL FILTER.
The risk: DIESEL FUEL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON ROADS AND MAKING THOSE ROADS SLIPPERY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372. THIS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED . PLEASE SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V-496.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 10, 2011

IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND LESS THAN 1,500 MILES, THE BRAND NEW SUV'S STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING DURING THE TURN, THE BELT , THE PULLEY AND THE TENSIONER WERE BROKEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *KB

NHTSA ID
10429298
Incident
Aug 23, 2011
Mileage
1,436 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 7, 2011

MY HUSBAND WAS GOING ON HIS THIRD DEPLOYMENT, HE DID NOT WANT ME TO HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEM, SO WE SPENT ALMOST 70K FOR A BRAND NEW 2011 MERCEDES GL BLUE TECH. HOWEVER, LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND 1460 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING DURING A TURN, IT ALMOST KILLED ME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER (VALLEY MOTOR MERCEDES, HUNT VALLEY , MD )AND THE MERCEDES, THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS HAPPENED, THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CAR. THEY DID NOT CARE THE FACT I WAS SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR EITHER, THEY CHARGE SUCH HIGH PRICE FOR A JUNK CAR, AND REFUSED TO HOLD THE RESPONSIBILITY. SHAME ON THEM, MY HUSBAND PUT HIS LIFE ON THE LINE TO PROTECT THOSE KIND PEOPLE ! *TR

NHTSA ID
10424127
Incident
Aug 23, 2011
Mileage
1,460 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 9, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND THE TURN SIGNAL WERE BOTH LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHENEVER HE ACTIVATED THE LEFT OF RIGHT TURN SIGNALS, HIS HAND WOULD HIT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING IT TO ENGAGE INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNAL WHICH WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND COULD NOT BE CHANGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO STATED THAT SINCE THE SWITCH WAS DESIGNED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL THEY COULD NOT BE CHANGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ID
10405730
Incident
Mar 14, 2011
Mileage
4,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

LI-27-50

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MERCEDES-BENZ: THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHES TO LIMP-HOME MODE WHILE DRIVING. GEARSHIFTS ARE NO LONGER POSSIBLE. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FAULT WITH THE RPM SENSOR. *RM UPDATED 9/20/11. *PE UPDATED 5/9/14. *PE

LI46-20-P

STEERING; STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

MERCEDES-BENZ: THE STEERING IS LEAKING IN THE AREA OF INPUT SHAFT, BECAUSE OF WEAR ON A SEAL RING. MODEL 164/251. *RM UPDATED 2/1/12. *PE

LI-05-20-P

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MERCEDES-BENZ: THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON WITH MULTIPLE POSSIBLE TROUBLE CODES STORED. THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAMSHAFT AND/OR SCORING OF A PISTON. *RM

SB-40-10-72

WHEELS

MERCEDES-BENZ: INSTALLATION INFORMATION OF BOLTED WHEEL CONNECTIONS. ALL MODELS. *RM

LI-27-60-P049270

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MERCEDES-BENZ: THE AUTO-TRANSMISSION SWITCHES TO LIMP HOME MODE OR HAS NO POWER. THERE ARE MULTIPLE POSSIBLE FAULT CODES. A PISTON MAY BE DAMAGED. *RM

SB-20101100005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

MERCEDES-BENZ: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR HEATER LINES. *RM

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
2011Viewing320—
2010400—
2009100—
2008130—
2007320—
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.