2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags631.6%
- Engine421.1%
- Fuel system315.8%
- Brakes210.5%
- Electrical15.3%
- Body & structure15.3%
- Powertrain (other)15.3%
- Steering15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS A RESULT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO BOTH ARMS, MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN AND A BROKEN RIGHT FOOT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,132.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD, " THE AD BLUE TANK IS CORRODED." I HAVE ALWAY FUELED WITH DISEL RECOMMENDED BY MERCEDES. HOW CAN TANK GET CORRODED SO EARLY. I SUSPECT FAULTY IN THE MANUFACTURING. I REQUEST YOU TO DO NECESSARY INVESTIGATION INTO IT. I HAVE HEARD SIMILAR INCIDENT ABOUT FAULTY AD BLUE TANK FROM MANY OTHERS ON FORUM: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/GL-CLASS-X164/396987-2010-GL350-BLUETEC-FUEL-SYSTEM-CORROSION-BIG-PROBLEM.HTML
AFTER A LONG TRIP WITH THE 2010 MERCEDES GL350 BLUETEC, I NOTICED FRESH OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I TOOK THE GL350 TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY AFTER, AND THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT OIL UNDER THE ENGINE. FEW DAYS AFTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK THE GL350 IN FOR A CHECK, AND ANOTHER MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER SEAL IS BROKEN CAUSING THE OIL LEAK. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH MERCEDES OM642 ENGINE IN MY GL350.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD, " THE AD BLUE TANK IS CORRODED." I HAVE ALWAY FUELED WITH DISEL RECOMMENDED BY MERCEDES. HOW CAN TANK GET CORRODED SO EARLY. I SUSPECT FAULTY IN THE MANUFACTURING. I REQUEST YOU TO DO NECESSARY INVESTIGATION INTO IT. I HAVE HEARD SIMILAR INCIDENT ABOUT FAULTY AD BLUE TANK FROM MANY OTHERS ON FORUM: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/GL-CLASS-X164/396987-2010-GL350-BLUETEC-FUEL-SYSTEM-CORROSION-BIG-PROBLEM.HTML
AFTER EXTENSIVE REVIEWS OF TDI FORUMS, COMMON RAIL FORUMS, DIESEL FORUMS I HAVE FOUND A COMMONALITY IN THE FAILURES IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP). MAINLY THOSE FAILURES WERE ATTRIBUTED TO METAL SHAVINGS/PARTICLES/RUST FOUND IN DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS ARE USUALLY RUSTED IN EACH CASE AND MOST LIKELY IS THE SOURCE OF METAL/RUST CONTAMINATION AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE OF THE HPFP FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE HPFP CAUSES THE CR TO LOSE PRESSURE THEREFORE THE INJECTORS ARE STARVED OF FUEL OR WORSE CLOGGED WITH RUSTED METAL PARTICLES. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF FUEL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN INSTANTLY ALONG WITH POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. DEPENDING ON THE RESERVE VACUUM VOLUME IN THE BOOSTER, CONSUMERS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH VACUUM TO ADEQUATELY BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL VERY HEAVY AND THE CONSUMER MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. I WROTE TO MBUSA NOTING THIS CAUSE AND URGED THEM TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY BEFORE ANY INJURY OR DEATH HAPPENS, ALSO TO INSTITUTE A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL OF ALL CR DIESELS TO DETERMINE IF RUST FROM THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT IS PRESENT. I PROPOSED A REMEDY TO MBUSA TO CHANGE OUT THE RUSTED UNITS FOR STAINLESS STEEL ONES. I ALSO REQUESTED THAT MBUSA PROVIDE UNLIMITED WARRANTY REPLACEMENT FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL BLUETEC OWNERS AND REIMBURSE ALL THOSE PRIOR TO THE RECALL, INCLUDING ANY RENTAL CAR USE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWELVE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,848. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,226. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ UPDATED 08/29/12
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWELVE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,848. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS THE X164 CHASSIS HAS A REAR FIXED PANORAMIC SUNROOF THAT IS MADE OUT OF POLYCARBONATE. THE POLYCARBONATE SUNROOF GLASS IS BREAKING DOWN ON THE INSIDE OF THE PANEL AND IS CRACKING. THIS POSES A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE IT CRACKS AND DEGRADES TO A CERTAIN POINT IT WILL BREAK. IF THIS PANEL BREAKS WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT CAN FLY OFF THE VEHICLE IN TURN HITTING CARS BEHIND ME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE OTHER SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN IT BREAKS IT MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OF MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD BE SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A BODY SHOP AS WELL AS THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND THEY HAVE AGREED THAT IT IS CRACKING AND IS BREAKING DOWN STRUCTURALLY SPEAKING AND THAT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT BREAKS. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF, BUT WHEN. I ALSO HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT POLYCARBONATE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THE FACT THAT BETWEEN THE HEAT AND BODY FLEX WHICH CAUSES THE STRESS CRACKS. THIS IS A FACT THAT POLYCARBONATE PANELS SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED IN ANY CASE WHERE THERE WILL BE STRESS. DUE TO THE BODY FLEX THESE PANELS INSTALLED ON THESE MERCEDES BENZ SUV'S HAVE A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT OF STRESS AND COUPLED WITH THE INTENSE UV EXPOSURE BEING ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE IS CAUSING THESE TO BREAK DOWN. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE SUV'S BUT MERCEDES BENZ DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. I CAN'T GET ANYBODY TO RETURN CALLS ON THIS AND MERCEDES HAS NOT WANTED TO DEAL WITH IT. THIS SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE SAFETY RECALL LIST FOR THESE VEHICLES. I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW THIS IS ANMAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS AND MAKE MERCEDES RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS REPAIR. THANK YOU!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER A LONG TRIP WITH THE 2010 MERCEDES GL350 BLUETEC, I NOTICED FRESH OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I TOOK THE GL350 TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY AFTER, AND THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT OIL UNDER THE ENGINE. FEW DAYS AFTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK THE GL350 IN FOR A CHECK, AND ANOTHER MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER SEAL IS BROKEN CAUSING THE OIL LEAK. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH MERCEDES OM642 ENGINE IN MY GL350.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FRACTURED STEERING COLUMN, WATER PUMP LEAK AND ENGINE OIL LEAK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AT 11,763 THE STEERING COLUMN JACKET TUBE COVERING MOUNT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED BINDING AND WEAR ON THE SURROUNDING TRIM. THE COVERING AND TRIM WERE REPLACED. AT 26,163 THE WATER PUMP AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THEN AT 50,548 MILES, AN ENGINE OIL LEAKED DEVELOPED FROM THE OIL COOLER, R&R TURBO CHARGER, R&R LEFT AND RIGHT CHARGE AIR MANIFOLDS. ALL OF THE SEALS WERE REPLACED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .