2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Electrical Problems

I am reaching out to bring to your attention a significant manufacturing flaw in the Mercedes GL450 model, which poses a severe risk to both vehicle functionality and passenger safety. The issue pertains to water infiltration into the battery compartment situated beneath the front passenger seat and concealed beneath the carpet. Even minor rainfall or streetwater has been found to breach this compartment, causing extensive damage to the vehicle's electronic systems. This results in highly precarious and unpredictable behavior, endangering both occupants and road users. As a poignant example, my own GL450, a 2013 model, has exhibited alarming symptoms. Despite being securely in "PARK" mode, upon simply opening the car door, it displays a distressing message: "Transmission Not in P Risk of Vehicle Rolling Away." Furthermore, the transmission intermittently ceases to shift from "P," presenting an imminent hazard to myself and my children. Despite numerous attempts to engage with Mercedes Headquarters regarding this critical matter, regrettably, they have declined to address the issue, citing its expiration beyond the warranty period. However, extensive research indicates that this flaw is pervasive among GL450 owners, as evidenced by discussions on various automotive forums, such as: [XXX] [XXX] I am profoundly concerned about the gravity of this situation and implore you to take immediate action to rectify this widespread issue. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience at [XXX] . I am more than willing to provide further details regarding my experiences and observations. I earnestly anticipate your prompt response and resolution to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11579182

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

SUROUND CAMERAS ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT AND BACKUP LIGHTS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE.

NHTSA ID

11548083

Incident

Oct 2, 2023

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450; it started with the activation of the vehicle's check - engine light. The Mercedes-Benz service advisor diagnosed the issue as oil intrusion into the vehicle's engine wiring harness. The estimated cost to repair was quoted as $7,0000.00. This resulted in the replacement of the engine wiring harness, four (4) Lambda sensors, four (4) camshaft hall sensors and four (4) camshaft solenoids. This trouble could cause engine failure or misfire if not corrected. Driving the MB GL450 in this condition is a safety issues for anyone driving on the road. Researching on the internet about MB GL450/550 engine oil intrusion into the engine wiring harness is a common problem.

NHTSA ID

11477496

Incident

Jul 14, 2022

ENGINE HARNESS WIRES CONTAMINATION IN ME, CAUSE SENSORS DAMAGE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS TO START UP RIGHT NORMAL DEALER WANT TO CHARGE ME 14K FOR SERVICE AND REPAIR , EVERY TIME I START THE CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE IT TAKE TIME TO START AND I GET THE CHECK ENGINE EVERTIME I START THE CAR

NHTSA ID

11185140

Incident

Dec 11, 2018

Mileage

58,000 mi

BLIND SPOT ASSISTANCE BECOMES DISABLE AND MINUTES LATER THE BLINKERS STOP WORKING. THIS OCCURS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND APPEARS MORE FREQUENT ON COLD WEATHER. THIS CAN ONLY BE RESOLVED BY TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING. DEALERSHIP REFERS IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE BLIND SPOT ASSISTANCE. NOW IT HAS DISABLE THE KEYLESS DOOR OPENING AND BUTTON START

NHTSA ID

11098357

Incident

Jan 9, 2018

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, A MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL "BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE," AND THE TURN INDICATORS STOPPED WORKING, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT. HAD TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO INDICATE TO OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS CHANGING LANES, AS TURN INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING. CAME TO PARKING LOT, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND STARTED BACK UP, THEN THE TURN INDICATORS STARTED WORKING ALONG WITH BLIND SPOT ASSIST. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE CAME BACK AFTER DRIVING A FEW MORE MILES. THIS PROBLEM ALSO HAPPENED ON THE SURFACE ROADS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH.

NHTSA ID

10819381

Incident

Jan 9, 2016

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. ...UPDATED 09/28/15 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID

10745399

Incident

Jun 14, 2015

Mileage

37,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE SIDE MIRRORS BECAME DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UTILITY ROOM COMPARTMENT UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS FLOODED WITH WATER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10692165

Incident

Jan 17, 2015

Mileage

24,000 mi