2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had stated that while depressing the brake pedal there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11544543

Incident

Apr 14, 2023

Recently discovered that water intrusion in the back of my vehicle is coming from cracks (longitudinal and transverse) on its roof. The roof has no other damage that would have caused the cracks Upon discovery, I took it to my local MB dealership and the attendant that looked at it said he had never seen such cracks and know the cause. I followed up with the Mercedes Benz corporation, who requested for my VIN, and following review of my complaint told me that there was no recall affecting roof cracks for my vehicle. They suggested that I reach out to you (NHTSA online). I am not sure when these cracks developed. I was aware of it earlier this year. The water intrusion, when not dried and depending on what time of the year, could cause mold which can seriously affect the occupants of the vehicle. It would be appreciated if you take a look at this, as well as if there are similar complaints on this GL450 models

NHTSA ID

11537611

Incident

Dec 28, 2022

Breaks became unusable due to lost power break fluid caused by corrosion on the lines. Fluid was completely gone and breaks were not effective at all. Dashboard showed RED light with break error. Dealer confirmed that rust build up caused the failure.

NHTSA ID

11502596

Incident

Jan 5, 2023

While I was driving the car, with the seat belt fastened, the seat belt suddenly popped out. This was a scary experience! Repeated attempts to fasten the seat belt again did not work. On closer inspection, it appears that something inside the fastening system was probably broken, and the seat belt wasn't getting fastened in there. I immediately took the car to the dealer (Mercedes Benz of El Dorado Hills). After inspecting it, they were able to reproduce the issue (seat belt not getting fastened at all) and advised replacing the seatbelt system on the car. Unfortunately, they did not have the part in stock, so they advised that they would order the part and charge me $800 for this. I can't believe that a fundamental car safety system like this would fail like this. Imagine if there was a car accident and the seat belt just popped out of the fastener, not doing the job it was designed for? Thank you for investigating this issue. It could indeed save a lot of lives, if this is a widespread issue, necessitating a recall campaign from Mercedes.

NHTSA ID

11496088

Incident

Nov 21, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact was notified that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11492941

Incident

May 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while merging onto a highway, the vehicle failed to upshift at 32 MPH, without warning. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle and was then able to resume normal driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11486630

Incident

Sep 13, 2022

Mileage

140,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN ISSUED A STOP DRIVE ORDER UNDER RECALL ID# 22V315. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ TWICE AND BEEN IGNORED TWICE. FIRST CALL WAS AROUND JULY 5TH-2022 AND SECOND CALL WAS ON JULY 12TH. THEY APPARENTLY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR STOP DRIVE NOTICE AS NO ONE HAS GOTTEN BACK TO ME ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11475341

Incident

Jul 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL 450. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle causing him to crash into the vehicle in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. Both air bags under the steering wheels deployed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The front of the vehicle hood, bumper, and radiator was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11473677

Incident

Jan 10, 2022

AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALER (WITH @ 36,000 MILES) I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITHIN A YEAR. WHEN I WOULD BE STOPPED ON A HILL/INCLINE AND THEN ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK (AS IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING). IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD UNTIL AFTER THE SUDDEN JERKING MOTION STOPPED. IT WOULD ALSO BEHAVE THIS WAY WHEN I BACKED UP A HILL OR INCLINE. EVERY YEAR I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT WHEN THEY HAD THE CAR, THEREFORE THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I TOOK IT IN FOR A SERVICE THEY DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM ON THE ESTIMATE SHEET. HOWEVER, THIS LAST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHEN ON A HILL OR SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERS FROM A COMPLETE STOP. COME TO FIND OUT WHEN RESEARCHING THESE CARS THAT MERCEDES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ENGINES FOR A LONG TIME.

NHTSA ID

11340730

Incident

Jul 10, 2020

Mileage

49,000 mi

THE REAR SUSPENSION BECAME SOFT AFTER THE DEALER DID AN INTIAL CHECK AFTER I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VEHICLE FEELING UNSTABLE AFTER SPEEDS OF 70MPH. I HAD BOTH AIR SHOCKS CHANGED IN THE REAR. AFTER TWO (2) MONTHS THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER ALSO STARTED TO LEAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUSPENSION TO AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST IN THE FRONT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THIS OCCURED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION, HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ID

11311208

Incident

Nov 12, 2019

Mileage

7 mi

TAKATA RECALL SINCE JANUARY 2018 I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO ARRIVE FOR THIS RECALL. I HAVE MOVED TO CANADA AND IN ORDER TO TRANSFER MY VEHICLE THERE CAN BE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING MERCEDES FOR OVER A YEAR YET THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ANSWERS AS TO WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING FOR FAR TOO LONG AND IS PREVENTING ME FROM TRANSFERRING MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11219060

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE FIXED. MERCEDES BENZ HAS FAILED TO REMEDY MY CAR IN A TIMELY MANNER AND THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION, RENTAL CAR OR LOANER CAR WHILE I WAIT. IT HAS BEEN 39 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED AND THERE IS NO INDICATION FROM MERCEDES WHEN THIS WILL BE FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11208464

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. 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. AUTOBAHN MOTORS (700 ISLAND PKWY, BELMONT, CA 94002, (844) 896-1944) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11194922

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

ON 3/27/2019 MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRES PLUS IN NEWNAN, GA FOR PURCHASE OF 4 NEW TIRES- PACIFICALLY MICHELIN LTX. WHEN THOROUGHLY REVIEWING RECEIPT AND INVOICE, I NOTICED SEVERAL ISSUES. PLEASE SEE BELOW THE FOLLOWING: 1. MY HOME ADDRESS WAS INCORRECTLY INPUT INTO THE SYSTEM 2. VIN#: MY PACIFIC VIN# WAS NOT LISTED UNDER VIN# SECTION 3. I RESPECTFULLY ASKED TIREPLUS REP HOW DO I GO ABOUT REGISTERING MY NEW TIRES? IN RESPONSE I WAS TOLD ? HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF REGISTERING TIRES?? I EXPLAINED THE IMPORTANCE TO CORRECT CONSUMER INFO SUCH AS HOME ADDRESS AND PARTICULAR VIN# LISTED AS WELL AS EITHER GIVING ME A TIRE REGISTRATION FORM FOR ME TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO TIRE MANUFACTURER (MICHELIN) OR TO GIVE ME CONFIRMATION THAT HE DIRECTLY ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTED REGISTRATION FORM DIRECTLY TO TIRE MANUFACTURER. HE EXPLAINED, HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH PROTOCA. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW PROCESS WORKS AND HOW AS A CONSUMER I CAN GO ABOUT VERIFYING IF MY TIRES ARE PROPERLY REGISTERED FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE FUTURE RECALL ON NOTIFICATION(S) TO ME? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID

11192430

Incident

Mar 27, 2019

UPON ACCELERATION A CLUNKING SOUND COMES FROM WITHIN THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS VEHICLE HAS @ 148,000 MAINLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. THIS TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM IS A PREMATURE FAILURE AND IS REMINISCENT OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM MERCEDES HAD @ 12 YEARS AGO

NHTSA ID

11184744

Incident

Mar 6, 2019

Mileage

148,000 mi

NHTSA HEADQUARTERS 1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE SE. WEST BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20590 TEL: 1-(888)-327-4236 TEL: 1-202-336-9550 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: WWW.NHTSA.GOV REF: FORMAL COMPLAINT - 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 GL- THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE 1) FAILURE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL REPAIR IN TIMELY MANNER - 2) REFUSAL TO CONDUCT REPAIR UNDER ITS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY 3) REFUSAL TO PROVIDE MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR DEFECTIVE AUTO PARTS & LABOR MR. SIR OR MADAM, THE PURPOSE OF THIS LETTER IS TO NOTIFY THE NHTSA THAT MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS FAILED TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS IN TIMELY MANNER, AND, THE CORPORATION HAS ALSO REFUSED TO CONDUCT REPAIR UNDER ITS WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS FOR MY 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 GL (VIN: XXXX) ACCORDING TO THE US SAFETY LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THIS LETTER MANDATES THAT MERCEDES BENZ USA SHOULD PERFORM ALL REQUIRED SAFETY RECALL REPAIR FOR DYSFUNCTIONAL AIRBAG INFLATORS AND DEFECTIVE REAR DOOR LOCK & MOTOR FOR OUR CORPORATE VEHICLE - 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 GL IN TIMELY MANNER, NOT LATER THAN 15 DAYS BECAUSE : 1) MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS FAILED TO REFORM ORIGINAL SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS DURING LAST TWO YEARS ' SINCE FEBRUARY 9, 2016. 2) A DRIVER-SIDE EXPLOSION DURING DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN METAL STRIKING THE FRONT PASSENGER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH ' SIMPLY THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. (SEE ATTACHED COPIES). PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11182895

Incident

Feb 25, 2019

TAKATA RECALL - I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THE RECALL GOING ON FOR 3 YEARS NOW, AND STILL IS NOT COMPLETE. MERCEDES HAS SEVERAL TIMES PUSHED OUT THE DATE THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. NOW, MERCEDES IS SHOWING THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE 2019. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH THE RISK OF POTENTIAL INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAG INFLATOR BEING FAULTY. THEY SHOULD FIND THE MEANS AND PARTS TO FIX THIS ISSUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS SHOULDN'T TAKE OVER 3 YEARS, AND IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID

11175755

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. FEB 09,2016 . MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2018030011 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V081 WHY IS THE RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE/.REMEDY STILL NOT YET AVAILABLE???? I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY DIRECT ISSUE BUT WANT TO KNOW WHY IKNOWN PROBLEM IS NOT RECTIFIED?

NHTSA ID

11162916

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WHEN PARKED AND WHEN DRIVING. WE HAVEN'T FOUND ANY GAS ON THE FLOOR OF OUR GARAGE BUT DEFINITELY A STRONG GAS SMELL AND FUMES. WE HAVE TRIED TO FILL THE TANK 1/2 WAY BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP THE SMELL/FUMES ARE THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE HOUSE INCLUDING THE 3RD FLOOR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT EXPLODING OR CATCHING ON FIRE. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF OTHER MERCEDES LEAKING GAS AND WONDER IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS A GL 450?

NHTSA ID

11149871

Incident

Oct 19, 2018

Mileage

75,000 mi

4-5 MILES INTO DRIVING AIRMATIC MALFUNCTION APPEARS ON MY DASHBOARD ( PICTURE OF AN STRAIGHT UP ARROW IN THE MIDDLE OF CAR PICTURE) WHEN I INCREASE THE SPEED TO 50 MILES THE TACHOMETER GOES CRAZY AND I HEAR LOUD SOUND. CAR HAS LESS THAN 50 000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11138764

Incident

Sep 25, 2018

Mileage

48,000 mi

AT AROUND 60K MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION ON BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES (AROUND $3,000). NOW I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BACK AND WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AS WELL AT 69K MILES.

NHTSA ID

11123444

Incident

Aug 30, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

I RECEIVED 2 LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ USA REGARDING THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE 1ST LETTER GAVE ME A DATE IN MARCH FOR REPLACEMENT. THE 2ND LETTER STATED MY AIRBAG WOULD BE REPLACED IN JULY 2018. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THE REPLACEMENTS HAVE YET TO BE RECEIVED AND TO CALL MERCEDES CORPORATE

NHTSA ID

11122103

Incident

Jul 4, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

CAR JUST REACHED 90K MILES WITH LIMITED DRIVING. THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HAS BEEN ACTING ODDLY FOR THE PAST MONTH - I WOULD FIND IT LOW IN THE REAR IN THE MORNING AFTER BEING PARKED IN A FLAT GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY THE ENTIRE CAR WOULD BE LOWERED. WHE IS TURN OFF THE CAR, YOU WOULD HEAR AIR BEING RELEASED. TODAY, WHEN PARKED, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THE CAR SHOOK FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THE ENTIRE THING SANK TO THE WHEEL WELLS. ASSUME THE COMPRESSOR HAS EXPLODED AND AFTER READING VARIOUS POSTS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL MERCEDES THAT HAVE AIRMATIC SUSPENSIONS AND SHOULD BE FIXED/RECALLED BY MERCEDES.

NHTSA ID

11113701

Incident

Jul 25, 2018

Mileage

90,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2012 GL 450 MERCEDES BENZ ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKES ENGAGED BEFORE I COULD STOP MY VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. IT LITERALLY ALMOST SENT ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, A HARD GRINDING SOUND AND AN INTENSE STOP. STILL TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE JERKED AND JERKED AND THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO ENGAGE. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF THE ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY OR A BAD SENSOR THEN IT SHOULD NOT ENGAGE ITSELF AT ALL. I CALLED THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER AND SPOKE WITH A SPECIALIST AND HE INFORMED ME THAT YES THE BRAKES WILL ENGAGE IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS. AGAIN THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ON THE SENSORS WHETHER IT'S THE ABS SENSORS OR THE SPEED SENSOR WHICH THEY ALSO INFORMED US THAT COULD CAUSE THIS MALFUNCTION. REGARDLESS THE VEHICLE BRAKES SHOULD NOT ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11091111

Incident

Apr 25, 2018

Mileage

51,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID

11089291

Incident

Apr 22, 2018