2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Owner Complaints

Air compressor fail

NHTSA ID

11737595

Incident

Feb 5, 2026

My tires were wearing on the inner sides, replaced tires and had a 4 wheel alignment. Rear wheel alignment could not be corrected due to severe rusted and corrosion. Mechanic said the rear sub frame needs replacing. They advised that I do not drive the vehicle because it is not safe. I have the wheel alignment printout. I only have 48,000 miles on vehicle and keep up with maintenance. The Mercedes Benz dealer quoted 8,000 to replace. This issue was known by Mercedes Benz which they did not disclose to owners. Very dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11737177

Incident

May 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message for brake and traction control failure was intermittently displayed, causing the cruise control to disengage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with ha ydraulic control unit failure. The contact was informed that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to two undisclosed recalls; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11683170

Incident

Aug 12, 2025

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owned a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop, which led him to rear-end a truck in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained a fracture in the finger, and forehead injury caused by the impact with the steering wheel that required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was deemed destroyed. The contact related the failure to the received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ID

11596585

Incident

Feb 21, 2024

Mileage

140,000 mi

I [XXX] own. The Mercedes Benz, it was in recall for the Air Bag, I took it to the Dealer at the Coral Gables Dealership of the Mercedes, 300 Almeria Ave, Coral Gables 33134. Phone (305)306-3549. and it was check. I was involved in an Accident on ([XXX]) went into a canal. 50 feet down, the Air Bag did not OPEN, the Brake did not brake properly the truck slip through the grass, and we end it in the Canal. I did not was advise the brake were in recall found out later on after the accident the GEIGO the insurance Company advise, but it was too late. I We were Born that Day my husband and me. I have picture of the accident; The check engine was on and off sometime like a year before or maybe more can't recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11569056

Incident

Aug 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while reversing, the message "Release Parking Brake" was displayed. The contact stated that she engaged the parking brake release button. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 284,000.

NHTSA ID

11553771

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

Mileage

284,000 mi

Check Engine Light came on and took it to the mechanic who identified low compression on cylinder #3. The injector was replaced which did not fix the issue since the vehicle lags when first accelerating. We were also informed of a service bulletin that included the issue with our vehicle and to take the car to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not check the cylinder low compression/leakage issue because the check engine light wasn't on, which it would not be since it was recently serviced, and the number of miles required had not been driven for the check engine light to come back on. Even though the service bulletin is for the same make, model and years because our VIN was not included that there is no warranty on this vehicle. I now have a vehicle with an engine issue that should be included in the recall based on being the same make, model, year and mechanical issue.

NHTSA ID

11551600

Incident

Oct 20, 2023

We smelled smoke from under the passenger seat. We had the car in for a recall and service recently and didn’t understand what was happening. Our three Children smelled the smoke too. Everyone exited the car and it burst into flames.

NHTSA ID

11522087

Incident

Apr 30, 2023

Heated seat caught fire while driving

NHTSA ID

11504596

Incident

Jan 30, 2023

Brought this vehicle into Mercedes-Benz of Peoria, Peoria, IL. for routine maintenance on May 19, 2022. When I returned to pick up vehicle, I was informed of the Do Not Drive recall and was informed I could not drive my car. I was only offered a curtesy car for that night and then had to find my own rental car, which I have done, incurring $7,675.11 in rental charges through August 2022. I have received zero updates from Mercedes as to when they will fix this problem. I have also not received any reimbursement for my rental car expenses.

NHTSA ID

11491926

Incident

May 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11484310

Incident

Sep 2, 2022

WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED STOPLIGHT, OUT OF NOWHERE THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, SHOOK THE WHOLE CAR AND SANK, THE FEELING LIKE WE WERE IN A SINK HOLE OR LIKE A TIRE BLEW BUT THE TIRE WAS FINE. A LOYD HISSING SOUND ENSUED. THANK GOD, WE WERE AT A STOP LIGHT AND NOT IN A SPEED THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY.

NHTSA ID

11406490

Incident

Apr 5, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

STILL WAITING FOR DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS.

NHTSA ID

11210547

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE IGNITION. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. OPEN ROAD MERCEDES-BENZ (1250 US-22, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, NJ 08807 (908) 685-0800) DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *AS CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE ISSUE IS SAME AS NOTED BY MERCEDES BENZ IN THEIR SERVICE CAMPAIGN (HTTPS://TESTING-PUBLIC.CARMD.COM/TSB/DOWNLOAD/97801/218390). ON THE 3RD PAGE, THERE IS A REFERENCE TO THE 'GL' MODEL CARS AND THE YEAR, HOWEVER MY CAR WASN'T NOTED IN THAT CAMPAIGN, WHICH SHOULD'VE BEEN. I WENT THROUGH QUIET AN INCONVENIENCE AS A RESULT PERSONALLY AND MONETARILY BY M. BENZ'S FAILURE ACCURATELY INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AS PART OF THIS SERVICE CAMPAIGN. *JB

NHTSA ID

11206495

Incident

May 2, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN CALLING MERCEDES FOR GOING ON 3 YEARS ABOUT FIXING THIS RECALL ISSUE. I GET A LETTER PERIODICALLY PUSHING BACK MY PARTS AVAILABLE DATE. THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS SAID THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ANY ESTIMATE ON WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. FINALLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VICE PRESIDENT OF CUSTOMER SERVICES CHRISTIAN TRIEBER DATED MARCH 2019 REGARDING THIS "URGENT-IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 2019030018". IT STATES THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT "IMMEDIATELY". I CALLED AND WAS PUT ON WHAT WAS PROBABLY A FAKE HOLD TO 'CHECK' PART AVAILABILITY, AND TOLD THE SAME THING I'VE BEEN TOLD TIME AFTER TIME WHICH IS THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO TIME ESTIMATE CAN BE PROVIDED. THE LETTER STATES THAT "SAFETY IS OF UTMOST CONCERN TO MERCEDES BENZ", BUT THAT'S A BIT HARD TO BELIEVE AT THIS POINT. THIS HAS TO BE THE LONGEST TIME EVER TAKEN TO ADDRESS AS SERIOUS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE? IS THERE NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THIS WITHING WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN A RIDICULOUSLY UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME? ACCORDING TO MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO, THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BUT WAIT LONGER AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.

NHTSA ID

11195935

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

SINCE 2/2017 THE SUPPOSED TOP QUALITY BRAND MERCEDES BENZ HAS POSTPONED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TAMARA AIRBAGS. THEY ARE JEOPARDIZING THEIR CUSTOMERS LIVES. I SPEND $70 000 ON THIS CAR TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE, BUT THEY RATHER SPEND MILLIONS IN A FORMULA E RACING SERIES THAT NOBODY WATCHES THEN TO REPLACES THESE DANGEROUS AIRBAGS

NHTSA ID

11182460

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL - THE RECALL ORIGINALLY CAME OUT IN 2/2016, AND AT THE TIME, IT SAID A REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. I RECENTLY READ ANOTHER ARTICLE ABOUT THE RECALL AND WHEN I CHECKED IT STILL SAID A REMEDY WASN'T AVAILABLE. THAT'S THREE YEARS THEY'VE HAD TO FIX IT AND THEY HAVEN'T.

NHTSA ID

11179924

Incident

Feb 10, 2019

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF WHITE PLAINS (50 BANK ST, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10606, (914) 750-4148) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11163710

Incident

Dec 13, 2017

TAKATA RECALL: MERCEDES BENZ CONTACTED VIA MAIL STATING THE AIRBAG RECALL BACK IN FEBRUARY 2017 FOR 2011 GL450. MB STATED THAT AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACE NO LATER THAN JUNE 2017. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACE HOWEVER; I WAS TOLD THAT PARTS OR THE REMEDY WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. IT'S NOVEMBER 2018 AND I AM STILL WAITING ON A FIXED, WHILE I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT HAS VERY HIGH POTENTIAL TO KILL ME IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11145167

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

TAKATA RECALL: THE RECALL WAS INITIATED FEBRUARY 9, 2016 AND WE ARE STILL WAITING TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS REPLACED. THE WAIT TIME IS EXCESSIVE PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A WARMER CLIMATE.

NHTSA ID

11142139

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

MY 2011 GL450 MERCEDES SUV IS DRIVING SIDEWAYS ONE FRONT AND ONE BACK SUSPENSION AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING I FEEL LIKE MY CARE IS GOING TO FLIP OVER WHEN I TURN. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS A DEATHS NOT ONLY ON THE DRIVER BUT OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD

NHTSA ID

11124629

Incident

Aug 29, 2018

Mileage

93,000 mi

THE TAKATA AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED SINCE FEBRUARY 2016 WITH RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. AFTER 2.5 YEARS, THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION AND I AM UNABLE TO GET NEW AIRBAGS OR CONFIRM IF MY VEHICLE EVEN HAS TAKATA AIRBAGS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID

11122036

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

RECALL THE AIR SUSPENSION BAGS KEEPS BUSTING ALSO I CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS IN MY TANK I REPLACE THE BACK AIR SUSPENSION AIR BAG AND NOW THE FRONT HAS GONE OUT I ALSO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION LEVELING VALUE THE CAR BOUNCES WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11114529

Incident

May 26, 2018

I AM THE OWNER OF THIS 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 FOR 7 YEARS. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THE AIRBAG RECALL NOTICES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ. SO FAR, NO INDICATION OF WHEN THIS RECALL WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. OBVIOUSLY MERCEDES-BENZ DOESN'T CARE OF ITS' CUSTOMERS' SAFETY. I ALSO APPALL THAT OUR GOVERNMENT HAS NO REGULATION IN PLACE TO FORCE THE CAR MANUFACTURER TO FIX THIS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURES CAN AFFORD STRONG LOBBYING IN CAPITAL HILL ?I?!?!

NHTSA ID

11101532

Incident

Jun 11, 2018

DEAR LADY/GENTLEMAN GOOD MORNING I WAS DRIVING OUT FROM THE PARKING VERY SLOW. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT FOR WHAT I KNOW CAR INCREASE SPEED RAPIDLY. I PUSH BRAKES BUT DOESN'T STOP AS A RESULT MY CAR HIT OTHER CARS IN PARKING. FOR WHAT I KNOW STEERING WAS LOCK. PLEASE CHECK IF MY CAR HAD ANY ELECTRONIC ATTACK . THANK YOU IN ADVANCE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11101523

Incident

Jun 3, 2018

Mileage

5 mi