2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Problems

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH in the rain, there was an abnormal smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then started filling up with smoke. The contact checked and became aware that the back of the front driver's seat was on fire. The contact was able to pull over and extinguish the fire with his hand. The contact sustained a little burn to his hand, but medical attention was not sought. The Fire Department was not contacted. Neither a Police nor Fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 59,050.

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2020, I TURNED MY DRIVER SEAT HEATER AND SUDDENLY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES DRIVING I DECIDED TO TURN OF THE HEATER, THE BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK WAS INTENSE. ONCE I PARKED, I NOTICED A HOLE IN MY SEAT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER! I CHECKED MY CLOTHING AND NOTICED IT MELTED THE ELASTIC PART AT THE BOTTOM MY JACKET.

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the SRS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the air suspension strut failures, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had sustained severe water damage. The dealer informed the contact that the water had leaked from the sunroof through the headliner and onto the floor. The dealer informed the contact the water leak had caused mold on the headliner, and mold and corrosion on the floor, where the battery and electrical wires were located. The dealer informed the contact that the water entry had caused electrical failures, causing the driver's side and passenger's side third-row windows and the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Blinkers and horn stopped working windshield wipers coming on without being turned on it’s saying drive to workshop without shifting gears and won’t start in the middle of the highway

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT AND I COULD ONLY GO 40 MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD I STEPPED ON THE GAS. I HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT TEN MINUTES AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. AGAIN THIS WEEK IT ALSO HAPPENED.

MY CAR BATTERY DIED, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMPED MY CAR, MECHANIC REPLACED MY BATTERIES. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT THEN A MESSAGE CAME UP IN MY DASHBOARD IN RED SAYING TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE WORKSHOP WITHOUT SHIFTING GEARS; AFTER THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR AND DID SOME RESEARCH HE FOUND THAT THE INTELLIGENT SERVO MODULE WAS BAD; THE CARD WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE SHOP. *TR

The GL450 has the balance shaft problem .It skipped timing and caused major engine failure.. This problem is prevalent for the M273 engine. The parts wear prematurely. The timing is affected and the 4 cam power train misaligns. The engine quits and the repair is usually over 4000.00. It produces 1208 1200 codes along with misfire codes. I feel Mercedes Benz Corp is responsible and has liability for the loss. Thank You. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

THE FOLLOWING CONDITION APPEARED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. (I PUT A DATE OF 1/1/18, IN THE BOX BELOW, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN, AND I FIND IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE). AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT TO BY ITSELF INTO 1ST GEAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. EVEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS RPMS WILL SUDDENLY JUMP UP TO "RED-LINE" LIMITS AS THE DOWNSHIFT OCCURS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ENGINE MUST BE TURN OFF AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE FOLLOWING OR IN ADJACENT LANES TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ALSO, AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, VEHICLE RPMS DROP SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. TRANSMISSION BASICALLY DISENGAGES AND WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE EVEN WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. EQUALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION - ESPECIALLY WHEN DECELERATING ON FREEWAY OFF-RAMPS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED (ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE), AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER (BOUGHT NEW IN LATE 2006). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 117,500 MILES AS OF FEBRUARY 2018. WHAT ALARMS ME THE MOST IS THAT I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE REPORT EXACTLY THE SAME DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. EVEN MY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS SAYS ITS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I SAY IT'S A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I SHOULD KNOW, IN PART BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN REGISTERED TRAFFIC ENGINEER FOR OVER 39 YEARS, AND WAS A PAST RECIPIENT OF A NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FELLOWSHIP IN HIGHWAY SAFETY.

TAKATA RECALL .MY CAR HAVE THE AIR SHOCKS COMPLETELY DOWN THE AIR IS ESCAPING FROM 3 OF THEM AND THE CAR LOOKS AND DRIVE VERY BAD ,ALSO THE TURBINE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR IS FAILING SINCE I PURCFCHASE THIS VEHICLE, THA CAR STOP MOVING FORWARD EVERY TIME IGOT TO A STOP ,AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN THE CAR ON IN ORDER TO KEEP MOVING

2 COMPLAINTS -1 I WAS DRIVING W/OUT A COAT ON & TURNED THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER ON. THEN I STARTED FEELING A SHARP, STINGING PAIN ON MY BACK AND STARTED SMELLING THE BURNING OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE SEAT. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT TRYING TO GET WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A STINGING OR BITING INSECT OFF MY BACK. ONCE I REALIZED IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER, I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, ONLY TO FIND I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN MY SEAT. IF MERCEDES KNOWS THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AS I HAVE COME TO READ HERE, THEY SHOULD WARN PEOPLE NOT TO USE THE HEATERS TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND AVOID HAVING A HOLE IN THE SEAT OR REPLACE THE SEAT AND HEATER. #2 THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SHOCK CRASHED ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR. MY CAR SAT IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH WAITING FOR MERCEDES TO REENGINEER THE AIR SHOCK. FINALLY, THEY TOLD US TO BUY AN AFTERMARKET AND THEY WOULD INSTALL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER REAR OF THE CAR WOULDN'T LEVEL AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR SO THAT WAS REPLACED. BUT STILL THE REAR WAS UNEVEN SO THEY REPLACED BOTH REAR SHOCKS AND STILL THE CAR WOULDN'T LEVEL. THEN THEY HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME IT WAS THE FRONT AFTERMARKET AND THEY NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR WAS A 2007 SO WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT. I STOPPED GOING TO THE DEALER AND INSTEAD TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE SHOP. THEY REPLACED A SENSOR FOR A MINIMAL CHARGE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE SINCE.

The contact owned a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle had been inspected but the brake booster was not replaced. The contact then stated that approximately eight months later, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was informed that he would be in contact however, had not received a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

Was driving my vehicle on the freeway and pulled off on and exit ramp. Brake pedal went to floor with very little braking had to pump the brake pedal to regain control. Brakes felt soft. Returned home by pumping brakes. No warning lights, Next day bled brakes and replaced brake fluid. Function restored but no cause could be identified for the air in the brake lines. Very disturbing and unsafe. Sounds very much like 22V315000.

MY TAIL GATE WON'T LOCK MY POWER STEERING IS WAY HARD TO TURN

VEH SUSPENSION FELL, ALMOST LOST CONTROL

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, he felt a sharp pinch coming from the driver’s side seat. Upon further inspection, the contact’s husband noticed an abnormal hole with smoke coming from the driver’s side seat. There was no visible fire present. No medical attention was sought. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND HER COAT. AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS BETHESDA (7020 ARLINGTON RD, BETHESDA, MD 20814, (301) 986-8800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

TAKATA RECALL .MY CAR HAVE THE AIR SHOCKS COMPLETELY DOWN THE AIR IS ESCAPING FROM 3 OF THEM AND THE CAR LOOKS AND DRIVE VERY BAD ,ALSO THE TURBINE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR IS FAILING SINCE I PURCFCHASE THIS VEHICLE, THA CAR STOP MOVING FORWARD EVERY TIME IGOT TO A STOP ,AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN THE CAR ON IN ORDER TO KEEP MOVING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE GEARS OPERATED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND THAT THE SPEED AND PCU SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the SRS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the air suspension strut failures, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had sustained severe water damage. The dealer informed the contact that the water had leaked from the sunroof through the headliner and onto the floor. The dealer informed the contact the water leak had caused mold on the headliner, and mold and corrosion on the floor, where the battery and electrical wires were located. The dealer informed the contact that the water entry had caused electrical failures, causing the driver's side and passenger's side third-row windows and the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

MY TAIL GATE WON'T LOCK MY POWER STEERING IS WAY HARD TO TURN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. IN ADDITION, THE ESP AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER .THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ORLANDO AT 407-374-0033 (LOCATED AT 4301 MILLENIA BLVD, ORLANDO, FL 32839) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

275/55/19 SCORPION VERDE ALL SEASON PLUS TIRES I PURCHASED LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER MERCEDES GL 450 ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT A SIDEWALL FOR NO REASON. I HAVE A REPORT FROM THE TIRE DEALER THAT THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE OR ABRASION NOTED.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT IDLE (STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT) AND WHEN TRAVELING 70+MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE EVENT HAPPENS VERY FAST AND THE ENGINE RESTARTS WITHIN 30SEC. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE BUT ALL SYSTEMS CONTINUE WORKING (AC, RADIO, ETC). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NEITHER ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN VERY SCARY AND MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUT-OFF WITH NO WARNINGS WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING ALL THE INTERNAL ELECTRONICS (E.G. NAVIGATION, DASHBOARD). AFTER 1 SECOND, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ALL BY ITSELF. THE CLOCK INSIDE THE VEHICLE KEPT ON CIRCLING BACK AND FORTH AS IF SOME LIGHTNING HIT IT OR SOMETHING, AND IT WAS VERY SCARY, SINCE THERE WERE MANY CARS ON THE FREEWAY.

The steering wheel airbag spontaneously deployed with no prior warning sensors activated or collision (moments after pulling into driveway at home). Mercedes Benz refuses to take any responsibility, or at least inspect and replace the steering wheel and airbag. Driver's arm was partially injured due to deployment, not severe. However the concern remains of whether this could have deployed while driving, causing critical injuries. Should we worry about the remaining airbags spontaneously deploying?

MERCEDES GL450 THE FRONT END STARTED RIDING LOW AFTER DRIVING IT AND WOULD THEN ADJUST ITSELF, WHICH WAS VERY NOTICEABLE NOT THE MINUTE AMOUNT IS SUPPOSED TO DO JUST FOR AERODYNAMICS. THEN IT STARTED OUT LOW FROM A PARKING POSITION AND ONCE ON THE ROAD IT WOULD RAISE A LITTLE TO WHERE IT WAS DRIVABLE THAT WENT ON FOR TWO DAYS I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT INSPECTED AND ON THE THIRD DAY THE FRONT END JUST LOWERED ITSELF AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS VERY UNSTABLE JUMPED UP AND DOWN BECAUSE OF TBE GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND BACK I WAS DRIVING ON A ONE LANE ROAD ON A MOUNTAINOUS REGION WHICH IS WHERE I LIVE AND HAD NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. I MADE IT AFTER DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A 45 MPH ZONE, FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUTS THAT WERE LEAKING AND TOLD ME THIS CAR WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I NEED YOU TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS O BELIEVE IT IS A HAZARDOUS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE! *TR

I WAS DRIVING IN MY SON [XXX] TO HIS SCHOOL IN WAYNE NEW JERSEY WITH MY GL 450 SEATS WARMER TURNED ON IN BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEATS. I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE & THOUGHT IT WAS FROM OUTSIDE. I OPENED MY WINDOW, AND SMOKE STARTED SWIRLING INSIDE MY CAR AND STARTED GETTING THICKER WITHIN MINUTES. I TRY TO SEARCH FOR THE SOURCE OF THE STRANGE SMELL - BUT NO OBVIOUS CLUE OBSERVED. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HAS BURNED A HOLE IN MY SUIT JACKET BACK LEFT SIDE. THE HOLE IN THE CAR IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO IF POSSIBLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE DIRECTING ME TO THE APPROPRIATE LINE TO FIX MY SEAT AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF MY JEEP AND GET COMPENSATED FOR MY SUIT DAMAGE ASAP. *TR

THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE LATCH BROKE. WE NORMALLY HAVE A CHILD SEAT BUCKLED INTO THAT BELT. BUT WE WERE ON A TRIP, AND I WAS THE ONE USING THIS SEAT BELT. I COULD NOT LATCH IT, AND FOUND THAT A CHUNK OF THE PLASTIC HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BELT AND WOULD NOT LATCH. MERCEDES AND MY EXTENDED PROTECTION PLAN WILL NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT A COST. OF APPRX 170.00 I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH A SAFETY DEVICE IN ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED, AND I BELIEVE THAT A CAR THAT COSTS OVER 80,000.00 WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHY IT HAS FAILED. I AM GRATEFUL THAT MY GRAND CHILD WAS NOT BUCKLED INTO THIS BELT! *JS

1. NORMAL USE. 2. TIRE DEVELOPED RADIAL RUNOUT - PROBABLE TREAD SEPARATION 3. REMOVED TIRES FROM CAR

LEFT FRONT TIRE(MICHELIN LATITUDE 165/60R18) BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON FRIDAY,JAN 28,2011. *TR

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer replaced the transmission control module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated that their vehicle still has not been repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer have a remedy to fix the vehicle or accommodate him.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY CAME TO A HALT. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS RELATED TO INTERNAL DAMAGE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY CAM SHAFT LOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 01/25/12

RAIN LEAKED IN THROUGH THE BACK CAUSING THE REAR SAM TO BE FILLED WITH WATER. THIS CAUSED ALL OF MY TAILLIGHTS TO GO OUT. I SAW A RECALL FOR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR AS MINE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE GL 450 THAT I CAN FIND. I CALLED MERCEDES WHICH YIELDED NOTHING.THEY TOLD ME THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC, NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. I GUESS MY VIN WASN'T CHOSED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE ONES THEY RECALLED IN 2009. THIS IS A NEW SAM. IT WAS REPLACED BY US WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED.