2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC Owner Complaints

The car recently underwent a software update at the dealership for a backup camera issue. When I was driving home on the highway, the car suddenly braked and the seat belts automatically tightened up. This happened 3 additional times on the highway about 5 days later. I had turned off the automatic braking system and it seemed to go away. Then, with the system off, we experienced this again yesterday while on the highway at 70mph. The braking lasts for 1-3 seconds. There is no audible alert or dashboard display. IT renders the car quite unstable as it feels as though the rear brakes are being activated before the front. I reported this to the dealership and they want to inspect the car.

NHTSA ID

11654449

Incident

Apr 13, 2025

There have been 3 incidents where the car responded to unknown stimuli by braking hard. 3 months ago it happened while making a left turn through an intersection, driving about 10 mph the brakes unexpectedly locked up, luckily the person behind me took evasive action and didn't hit me; 2 weeks later it happened again, I was driving on I-45 attempting to pass slower drivers, the brakes dramatically engaged while I was driving over a slight hill, today it happened again when it mistook a vehicle in a different lane of traffic, and performed a hard brake evasive measure even though there was no chance of collision and nothing in front of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11617794

Incident

Oct 2, 2024

when coming to a stop and applying the break, the transmission stalled. a warning was issued around lane keeping assist and a second warning. Then the transmission light was on. It was not at risk in the moment because no one was behind me and I was coming to a stop sign. If it prevented me from stopping I might have gone through the stop sign It is at the dealership today to service. no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms.

NHTSA ID

11609931

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V880000 (Fuel System Gasoline) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that an unknown warning was illuminated; however, when the vehicle was restarted, the warning light was off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred after receiving the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11604201

Incident

Dec 18, 2023

Mileage

11,000 mi

Twice the vehicle has stalled while driving. I see that there is a recall on my model for a faulty fuel pump which causes this problem, but my dealer claims my vehicle is not part of the recall even though it is having the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11548136

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

I have a new GLS450 and on two separate occasions the car has shut down at a stop with no warning. First time was approximately mid July of 2023 with about 1,700miles. While at a stop the instrument panel displayed a text box with the words “Malfunction” across the screen, and proceeded to shut down. After a minute we were able to restart the car. Took it back to the dealership and they were not able to get any codes or reason why it happened. Now 3 weeks later it happened again, and back at the same dealership from where I purchased it. Again, same story that they are not able to get any codes as to what malfunctioned.

NHTSA ID

11537552

Incident

Aug 5, 2023

This is [XXX], a Mercedes customer who purchased a brand new 2023 GLS 450 (VIN:[XXX] ) in April 2023 from the Mercedes dealer in White Plains NY. I am contacting you about the Mercedes rusting claim. On May 22, 2023, less than a month after the purchase, a sheer of orange powdery rust was discovered (video available) on all steel frames of the four wheels. I contacted the sales person ([XXX]) , who referred to a manager ([XXX]) who told me that it was “normal because every car in our parking lot has the same thing.” I was very unhappy and disappointed with the response. The rusting obviously is a defect which is not normal. It is potentially dangerous and deadly for customers. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11523840

Incident

May 22, 2023