2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 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 GL450, 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
- Airbags2145.7%
- Brakes919.6%
- Suspension510.9%
- Electrical48.7%
- Exterior lighting24.3%
- Interior & seats12.2%
- Powertrain (other)12.2%
- Steering12.2%
- Driver assistance12.2%
- Visibility12.2%
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
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while the vehicle started, the contact became aware that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted because the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer stated that the seat belt was malfunctioning. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the ABS warning light remained activated. The contact stated there was also a grinding sound while depressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal harder, and the vehicle responded as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer determined that the brake booster had failed; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and attempting to bring the vehicle of a complete stop, the vehicle slowed but failed to stop as expected. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard but was able to bring the vehicle to a stop by using the parking brake. The low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front driver’s side brake line, observing that the brake line was heavily corroded causing the line to rupture. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed an identical failure with the front passenger’s side brake line. The contact was informed that excessive corrosion was observed throughout the entire braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle has begun to "dance" and sway, abnormally on common highway bumps. It can be scary.
THE STEERING ON THE SUV FREEZES AND DOESN'T TURN PROPERLY COULD CAUSE OVER STEERING AND A DEADLY ACCIDENT. ALSO THE SHOCKS ARE BAD.
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
The EIS module we have found has an issue with the part from Japan that does not have enough Sauder on a part of it, so when the temp drops below 50 degrees or less the ignition starts but all the safety features go off and the computer shuts down the vehicle. Reason is the metal contracts in cold weather causing the connections to not fully meet. We have figured this out after many times of replacing the main battery, aux battery thinking this is the issue. After much research on the web and MB forums this seems to be an issue especially in the colder climates with some of the older models. Some others have had have their autos stop in the middle of driving them in cold weather. Not sure why this has not been reported. We are having the issue now with a 2010 MB GL 450 we just purchased in November and every time it gets cold, the auto goes haywire when the temp drops. Warm weather zero issues. Wanted to relay since we do not see a recall and we are working out the bug on this on our own time and money.
ON 8/27/17 I GOT A COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11019610 I GOT NEVER FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MY COMPLAINT. SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO NEXT. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A CIRCUIT BULB THAT BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATING THAT THE LEFT REAR TAILGATE ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WEEKS LATER, THE RIGHT REAR TAILGATE ASSEMBLY ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A BURNT RUBBER ODOR WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE GLOVEBOX COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DETERMINATION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAS FAILED. TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEM SHIFTING UP/DOWN AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 40MPH). SHOW CONFIRMED THE VALVE BODY IS NO GOOD.
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
THE STEERING ON THE SUV FREEZES AND DOESN'T TURN PROPERLY COULD CAUSE OVER STEERING AND A DEADLY ACCIDENT. ALSO THE SHOCKS ARE BAD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR FAMILY OWNS 5 VEHICLES OF THE SAME TYPE (MERCEDES GL). ALL HAD OR CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RPM SENSOR AFTER ABOUT 30.000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE. WE INFORMED THE CHAIRMAN OF MERCEDES BENZ, DR. DIETER ZETSCHE, ABOUT THE ONGOING PROBLEM. THE BOARD'S RESPONSE WAS THAT THESE ARE ALL ISOLATED INCIDENTS ALTHOUGH ALL OF OUR 5 VEHICLES CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCEDES CLAIMS THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WITH OTHER GLS AS WELL. HOWEVER, NOT ONLY DO OUR 5 GLS SHOW THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WE FOUND OUT THAT OTHER GLS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. TWO MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS WE USE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT'S WHY THEY GIVE SMALL DISCOUNTS ON THE SENSOR PART AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. BUT WE FEEL, BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY RISK, THAT THIS PROBLEM DEFINITELY WARRANTS A RECALL.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise and opened the sunroof and became aware that the sunroof panel had detached, and the glass fell inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V874000 (VISIBILITY); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the failure was reported to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 160,000.
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 .