2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC

We recently noticed visible damage to one of the seatbelts in our 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The affected component is the seatbelt webbing. The belt has visible fraying and pulled/cut fibers along the edge in two separate spots near the area where the belt retracts. The vehicle is very new, and the damage appears abnormal for a safety-related component. The damage is localized near the belt path/retractor area, and we are concerned it may be related to an issue with the seatbelt path, retractor mechanism, surrounding trim, alignment, or another defect in the restraint system. The component is available for inspection upon request. This creates a safety concern because the seatbelt is a critical occupant restraint system. If the webbing fibers are damaged, the seatbelt may not perform as intended in a crash or sudden stop. We are currently avoiding use of that seating position until the issue is inspected and resolved. The problem has been brought to the attention of a Mercedes-Benz dealer. The dealer quoted approximately $2,250 to replace the affected seatbelt and indicated that it would not be covered under warranty. To our knowledge, the dealer has not yet fully inspected the seatbelt mechanism, belt path, surrounding trim, or retractor area to determine whether the damage is related to a defect or abnormal condition in the vehicle. The vehicle/component has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or an independent service center. We are requesting further inspection by Mercedes-Benz because this is a safety-related component on a new vehicle. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or other symptoms before we noticed the seatbelt webbing damage. The first symptom was the visible fraying/pulled or cut fibers on the seatbelt webbing. The exact cause is UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11747197

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

Brake pads completely worn after 11K miles - this seems like premature wear and like there is a potential issue with the braking system on the GLS450.

NHTSA ID

11740240

Incident

May 25, 2026

Accident report: Local ID [XXX] Agency: ISPLowell 13 Date [XXX] Time approx [XXX] Milepost [XXX] on [XXX] Auto: 2025 Mercedes GLS 450 fully loaded Single car accident See attached pictures for damage State Farm insurance - claim filed (claim # [XXX]) Claim filed with Mercedes Benz on 3/9/2026 to access info from event data recorders (claim #[XXX])a total loss Driver’s 2 front airbags deployed - chest and legs. Driver was in left lane with no traffic around - slight drizzle Car started to move a bit in between the lane markers as if the lane assist was engage and trying to keep the car in the lane Driver had both hand in the wheel and was paying attention - tried to stabilize the wheel when all of a sudden the wheel turned hard left (driver couldn’t correct wheel) and drove the car starting into the cement center median. The car seemed to jump a bit and finally came to rest in the median (not touching the median) facing in the original direction at a slight angle to the left. Driver reports that it also seems the wheels may have locked up. Driver was driving a safe soled at 65 in a 70 zone and was fully attentive. Driver suspects the lane-assist feature. Fortunately, the driver was not seriously hurt - just a couple of bruises from the seat restraint system and the airbag deployment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11723124

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a safety feature with a white speed limit sign started flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact stated the flashing was a constant issue. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer several times. The contact was informed by the dealer that it was a known issue and that the manufacturer was still developing a fix. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,265.

NHTSA ID

11721777

Incident

Nov 10, 2025

Mileage

5,265 mi

I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a serious malfunction of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system. This malfunction caused my vehicle to unexpectedly perform an emergency stop without a valid cause, resulting in significant damage to its suspension system. Incident Details: •Date of Incident: Friday, December 5, 2025, between 10:45 am and 11:15 am ET •Location: Community Baptist Church of Englewood, 224 1St, Englewood, New Jersey. •Description: While driving under normal conditions on a clear, dry road with no obstructions, the vehicle's AEB system engaged suddenly and forcefully. The abrupt, maximum-force braking caused severe stress and impact on the vehicle's suspension components, leading to a bent suspension linkage/component. The car is currently unsafe to drive. The damage to the suspension was not a result of normal wear and tear or an external impact caused by a collision. It was a direct consequence of a failure within a critical safety system designed and installed by Mercedes-Benz. An abrupt emergency stop due to a system malfunction places extreme, unintended stress on the vehicle's mechanical components, including the suspension and alignment systems. While Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown Service authorized the repair and will fully cover its cost, the reason was noted for to agreement was noted as “not to argue with a client who has a long-standing relationship with Mercedes-Benz.” I am asking for this to be officially reported as a defect for Mercedes-Benz to resolve in their design, which will safeguard all future and current drivers as well as the public.

NHTSA ID

11703696

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, a loud popping noise had occurred, and suddenly the panoramic glass sunroof exploded, causing shards of glass to fall into the cabin of the vehicle. During the incident, shards of glass contacted the driver, front seat passenger, and middle row passenger located on the driver's side. The driver sustained lacerations to the left hand and neck, which would require medical treatment. The children were traumatized by the event. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11699107

Incident

Nov 13, 2025

Mileage

10,000 mi

The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coolant pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a metallic clicking sound was coming from the engine compartment, and there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle near the instrument panel was very hot. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,050. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11692173

Incident

Oct 8, 2025

Mileage

14,050 mi

Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167, 465: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 290, 118, 243, 247: Software is still in development. This fault code does not cause a drivability concern and will clear itself within 2-3 key cycles. The vehicle can be released back to the customer.

Complaint Noise from front end attributable to steering gear. Cause During diagnostics of a front end noise, workshop is under the impression the noise is coming from the steering gear. Remedy Workshop diagnostics point to the steering gear as the root cause of the noise and the below LI's and items have been ruled out. • LI46.35-P-067339 - "Rattling or Humming Noise When Steering" • LI46.35-P-071461 - "Check Tie Rod Outer Joint of Steering Gear" • LI46.10-P-077391 - "Knocking Noise In The Area Of The Steering Gear or Steering Column Tube When Braking Or Moving Off; The Steering Wheel Can Also Be Felt To "Crack"" • If the noise is described as "clacking" or "knocking" and the thrust element in the steering rack has NOT been checked yet, please perform a check and subsequent adjustment, if necessary, as detailed in AR46.20-P-0601ME. If the above has been completed and the noise is still present, please continue with the below: • Video underneath the vehicle with clearly audible noise. • Video inside the vehicle with clearly audible noise. • Vehicle checked for history of collisions. • List of other checked components (suspension, drive line components, wheel bearings, etc...). • Check integrity of dust boots and dust boot clamps. Ensure no water has entered into the steering rack. • Along with the audible noise, does the feel/noise change through only a certain part of the steering arc sweep? • Provide the thrust element before and after readings. If the above is completed and no findings are noted, please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox.

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("- -"). • Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. • Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: • Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. • This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reasons for this concern: 1. Country code information stored incorrectly at a particular geographic latitude range. 2. Incorrect reference data when the vehicle is started and a GPS signal is not immediately available. Remedy Do not replace parts. Please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox but read the below carefully: • The vehicle must be exhibiting the concern as shown in the attachment videos. • The vehicle DOES NOT need to be at the dealer, nor does it need to be brought into the dealership. • If the geographic location is known, it is very important that it is provided. • Provide any pictures or videos, if available. A new software for the head unit is scheduled for tentative release in Q3 2026.

Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Please do not replace any parts. The E505.9 software is released and available in XENTRY Q3 2026.

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, July 23rd, 2026. After July 23rd, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.