2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC, 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
- Brakes428.6%
- Driver assistance321.4%
- Engine321.4%
- Fuel system214.3%
- Electrical17.1%
- Other / unspecified17.1%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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).
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 .