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2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
22
Latest Jan 2, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 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

  • Airbags1359.1%
  • Engine522.7%
  • Brakes14.5%
  • Heating & air conditioning14.5%
  • Fuel system14.5%
  • Visibility14.5%

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.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) and 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID 11467958 · filed Jun 7, 2022

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF DENVER (LOCATED AT 940 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO 80246, (303) 953-4581) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11192505 · filed Mar 29, 2019
All 13 reports naming airbags

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with turbo failure. The contact was informed that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair could not be covered under the warranty. The contact stated that the failure had previously occurred almost two years prior, and the repair was covered under an unknown recall. The contact also stated that the repair was completed with a refurbished turbo charger. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID 11591809 · filed May 31, 2024

Mercedes Benz settled with U.S Government the diesel emission scandal. There are about 122k class members. Under the settlement, Mercedes gave 122k class members 4 year/48k miles warranty. Under the warranty, MB replaced the timing chain in May 2022 but on April, 2023 while driving on I-95 in Massachusetts, the engine completely got shut down while driving 55 miles per hour. Luckily, no one got injured. But the car was not controllable. I barely pulled to the side of the hwy and called the towing. Brought it to MB of Westwood. MB Westwood did a diagnostics.Below is the note Mercedes Benz of Westwood: The car is still at the dealership if you want to send an investigator, Engine Rebuild/Replace: after further tear down found that timing chain guide rails broke, which then got chewed up from chain and gears into smaller pieces. these small pieces got suck up into the oil pump pick up tube, blocking oil flow. The lack of oil to main engine components caused them to overheat and contacted each other (metal to metal). which ends up heating to a point in which the components stick to each other and not able to move freely any more.. Basically, The replaced Timing Chain destroyed plastic guide rails, which destroyed my engine. I notified Mercedes Benz of USA and the dealership that they need to recall 122k class members and fix the problem, but they refused to take any actions. By ignoring the problem, it could lead to casualties to thousand of people. I hope you take actions and bring Mercedes Benz USA accountable and they start recalling and fixing the problem before its too late.

NHTSA ID 11542485 · filed Sep 4, 2023

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) and 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID 11467958 · filed Jun 7, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's seat was excessively hot while using the heated seat feature. The contact was burned by the excessive heat while using the heated seat. The contact stated there was no medical attention needed; however, the contact placed a pad on the seat for protection. In addition, while using the heated seat feature, the contact became aware of a burning odor. The contact contacted the dealer, and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the feature was not covered for repair under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ID 11568732 · filed Jan 30, 2024

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I would like to file an official complaint with Mercedes Service center prior to escalating. Due to neglection the part of your authorized dealership, I am confronted with poor and conniving customer service, strong safety concerns, and financial loss. Also, Euro Motors did not report any issues with the vehicle wire harness during the pre inspection. During the pre inspection the only thing Mechanic pointed out was the rear left air suspension bag losing air (see attached videos of pre and post inspection).I brought in my GL350 for the manufacturing recall on September 20th, with sufficient time to file for the $878.75 cash back rebate for Class Action Settlement. Euro Motors of Germantown, deliberately or carelessly kept my vehicle past the due date of the rebate. When I received the vehicle almost a month later, it stalled in the middle of the highway, risking my life as it gave no prior indication of stalling. When I opened the hood to inspect the vehicle, I noticed the harness wires were tampered with. I have actual evidence of the engine prior and post Euro Motors maintenance, which I will make available if necessary. I have lost my trust with this dealership performing and further work, and I would like Mercedes to take further action to ensure my trust in their brand. I can be available for direct discussion with contact information below. On 20th October 2022, I received my car back from the dealer. I was told their mechanic performed all safety inspection and the car is roadworthy. After I inspected my vehicle I found Euro Motorcars Mercedes-Benz Germantown location left a leaking fuel line and return the car back to me. I would like NHTSA to investigate this safety issue. Respectfully, [XXX] Service Advisor: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID 11490531 · filed Oct 24, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormally loud crack. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear glass in the moon roof had fractured without impact. The contact used tape on the fractured glass to prevent water from entering the interior of the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the replacement parts were no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID 11633715 · filed Jan 2, 2025

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

Data on this page last refreshed .