2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS 550

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS 550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound when making a right turn, and an abnormal ticking sound at startup. There was no warning light illuminated. Another driver informed the contact that the front passenger-side wheel was loose and followed the contact to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sway bar needed to be replaced; however, the sway bar was only adjusted. The contact stated that the failure had recurred. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was safe to drive. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that any additional repairs would be at the owner's expense. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,045.

NHTSA ID

11748540

Incident

May 24, 2026

Mileage

75,045 mi

Water collects at the front row floor at driver and passenger sides

NHTSA ID

11576448

Incident

Feb 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS550. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed there was an abnormal noise detected. The brake warning indicator light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pad on one side of the disc was completely worn, and the other side of the disc was like new with a full thick pad. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the brake rotor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500. Consumer stated problem lies with the unevenness of the brake pad on both sides of the front wheels.

NHTSA ID

11429716

Incident

Aug 19, 2021

Mileage

4,500 mi

SEATBELT HAD TIGHTENED AND NOT RELEASED WHEN MY BODY MOVES. BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. TYPICALLY DURING DRIVING I'M SMALL ENOUGH TO MANEUVER MY HAND DOWN TO RELEASE RED SEAT BELT BUTTON. *TR I'VE HAD TO STOP MY VEHICLE 5-10 TIMES TO RELEASE BELT. I HAVE 2 SMALL KIDS 7/ 11 BOTH ARE 60 POUNDS THEY ARE 4 FEET TALL AND 4'6' 7 YEAR OLD STILL USES BOOSTER I''VE CHECKED BELTS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY BUT I'M 110 LBS 5'2' AND HAVE NO MECHANICAL TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE OR CERTIFICATIONS THIS HAS BEEN NOTED TO MERCEDES AND THE PROBLEM IS NEVER REALLY DISCUSSED. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UNDER ALL CONDITIONS NOTED BELOW

NHTSA ID

11297292

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

Mileage

32,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS THAT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS SO LOUD. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS HANDLING FINE AND NO WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH SAID "WHAT WAS THAT?" EVERYTHING ON SEEMED FINE MECHANICALLY SO WE KEPT DRIVING, BUT A BIT SHAKEN BY THE SUDDEN LOUD NOISE. I FEW HOURS LATER WE STOPPED FOR GAS. AS MY HUSBAND WENT TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD HE NOTICED THE SHATTER OF THE GLASS ROOF PANEL. WE THOUGHT BACK TO THE INCIDENT EARLIER AND REALIZED THAT MUST HAVE BEEN THE SOUND ME HEARD. THE WEIRD THING WAS AT THE TIME NO ONE WAS AROUND US. NO CAR HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF US TO BE THROWING UP ROCKS. WE WERE ON A RURAL HIGHWAY. THE SPEED LIMIT ON THAT STRETCH OF ROAD WAS 80 MPH. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 DEGREES, SO NOT EXTREME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT LOOKED IT SOMETHING HIT IT AT "THE SWEET SPOT" THAT CAUSED IT TO CRACK ALL THE WAY ACROSS AND THEN UP BOTH SIDES AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT. MIND YOU I ALREADY HAD TWO CHIPS IN MY WINDSHIELD FROM ROCKS FROM A GRAVEL TRUCK I WAS BEHIND A MONTH PRIOR AND THEY SOUNDED NOTHING LIKE THIS SOUND. THE WORRISOME PART WAS THAT THE SOUND WAS SO SHOCKING, IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING NEAR ANYONE IT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS SO STARTLED AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

11154785

Incident

Nov 17, 2018

Mileage

7,000 mi

WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, CAR SHIFTED ITSELF FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ANY DRIVER INPUT. ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH TURNED ON. DRIVER UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL BACK TO DRIVE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DRIVER COULD ONLY SHIFT TO PARK. DRIVER SHIFTED VEHICLE TO PARK AND TRIED TO SHIFT TO DRIVE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. DRIVER TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED CAR, AT WHICH POINT DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. DRIVER REPORTS NO USER ERROR (I.E. DID NOT ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE SHIFTER, DID NOT HIT ENGINE ON/OFF BUTTON) AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE PRESENT PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW: OWNED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS WITH 199 MILES AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAD BEEN PURCHASED WITH 6 MILES ON ODOMETER.

NHTSA ID

11101953

Incident

May 21, 2018

Mileage

199 mi

This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage detection (DMTL) in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV II) and 15 years/150,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV III), whichever occurs first, for the following condition: •Under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (‘MIL’).

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 Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. Sound file attached for comparison. MUST match noise for proper diagnosis. NOTE: Steering functionality is not affected. Cause Contact area between wheel bearing and steering knuckle. See also: LI35.30-P-058566 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Rear) LI33.30-P-056665 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Front) LI40.10-P-059248 (Wheel cracking noise when cornering) Remedy 1. Perform Operation A and evaluate by testing vehicle. 2. If noise is still present after re-testing: • If 192/232 chassis, verify FIN is in the listed range below in "Operation B" and perform. • If not 192/232 chassis or vehicle is a 192/232 not in the listed FIN range, additional verifications of where the noise is coming from are needed. Use multiple channel NVH method to narrow down location. Verify the LI's listed above were completed or if there are other similar noises associated with the chassis (Example: 192/232 also has under panel noises and an associated LI). Operation A: 1. Clean contact surfaces of wheel bearing and steering knuckle with brake cleaner as seen in the attached pictures. NOTE: The front area of the wheel bearing and the seals must not come into contact with the cleaner, otherwise, the sealing rings will be damaged. 2. Clean threads of wheel bearing mounting. 3. Thinly coat contact surfaces of wheel bearing, steering knuckle, and axle mating face with Molykote (annular joint grease). See the attached steering knuckle and wheel hub pictures for reference. NOTE: Axle mating face greasing is also covered in LI35.30-P-058566 and LI33.30-P-056665. Operation B (Only applies to 192 and 232 in listed FIN range): Only affects vehicles up to FIN end number: • Model series 192: xxx xxx xx 002 876 • Model series 232: xxx xxx xx 022 312 1. Replace steering knuckle. 2. Wheel bearings do not need to be replaced.

Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. Sound file attached for comparison. MUST match noise for proper diagnosis. NOTE: Steering functionality is not affected. Cause Contact area between wheel bearing and steering knuckle. See also: LI35.30-P-058566 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Rear) LI33.30-P-056665 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Front) LI40.10-P-059248 (Wheel cracking noise when cornering) Remedy 1. Perform Operation A and evaluate by testing vehicle. 2. If noise is still present after re-testing: • If 192/232 chassis, verify FIN is in the listed range below in "Operation B" and perform. • If not 192/232 chassis or vehicle is a 192/232 not in the listed FIN range, additional verifications of where the noise is coming from are needed. Use multiple channel NVH method to narrow down location. Verify the LI's listed above were completed or if there are other similar noises associated with the chassis (Example: 192/232 also has under panel noises and an associated LI). Operation A: 1. Clean contact surfaces of wheel bearing and steering knuckle with brake cleaner (see areas marked blue in pictures "2.jpg" and "3.jpg"). NOTE: The front area of the wheel bearing and the seals must not come into contact with the cleaner, otherwise, the sealing rings will be damaged. 2. Clean threads of wheel bearing mounting. 3. Thinly coat contact surfaces of wheel bearing, steering knuckle, and axle mating face with Molykote (annular joint grease) (see areas marked blue in pictures "2.jpg" and "3.jpg"). NOTE: Axle mating face greasing is also covered in LI35.30-P-058566 and LI33.30-P-056665. Operation B (Only applies to 192 and 232 in listed FIN range): Only affects vehicles up to FIN end number: • Model series 192: xxx xxx xx 002 876 • Model series 232: xxx xxx xx 022 312 1. Replace steering knuckle. 2. Wheel bearings do not need to be replaced.

Complaint The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note: Deactivation of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is not supported for gray-market vehicles. Cause Before deactivating the HERMES control unit (N112/9), it must be clarified by the legal department of the respective MPC whether and under what conditions deactivation may be carried out. If deactivation is not permissible under applicable law, the HERMES control unit (N112/9) must not be deactivated. Remedy Please inform the customer that, following deactivation, the vehicle will no longer be able to place an automatic emergency call, nor will the customer be able to place a manual emergency call. After deactivation, the Mercedes-Benz Digital Extras will also no longer be available. Please have the attached sample form checked by your market's legal department, adapted to local requirements if necessary, and approved. Furthermore, after informing the customer about the effects of deactivation, please have the workshop complete and sign the approved form together with the customer, and send it to the MPC via a TIPS case for audit-compliant documentation. Furthermore, the workshop must affix a sticker to the emergency call button cover on the overhead control panel and to the emergency call button itself. After affixing, pictures of the overhead control panel need to be attached to the TIPS case for audit-proof documentation. After deactivation, the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is in the "Out of Service" operating status, and the display "SOS NOT READY" appears in the Audio/COMAND system. This display message tells the customer that the emergency call function is not available. In detail, the following steps must be carried out 1. The workshop must inform the customer about the effects of deactivation (see above) 2. Legal review by the MPC Legal department to determine whether deactivation is permissible for the vehicle and provision of a market-specific customer form based on the examples (see "Example - Deactivation communication module HERMES customer declaration English V3.0.pdf") 3. Completion of the market-specific customer form by the workshop and obtaining the customer’s signature 4. Creation of a XSS ticket by the workshop for the MPC with the signed customer form attached 5. Written confirmation of legally reviewed and approved deactivation by the MPC in the TIPS case (see attachment How+to+request+adding+Code+09o+via+XSS+v2.pdf, point 1) 6. Creation of an XSS ticket for documentation of the SA code "09o" (zero nine oh) in the Vehicle Documentation System (see attachment How+to+request+adding+Code+09o+via+XSS+v2.pdf, steps 2–7) 7. Ordering of stickers (part number A9078172900), quantity: 2 8. Affixing of the sticker (part number A9078172900) to the cover of the emergency call button on the overhead control panel (see attachment HERMES-Deactivation_+pictures+of+sticker.png) 9. Affixing of the sticker (part number A9078172900) to the emergency call button on the overhead control panel (see attachment HERMES-Deactivation_+pictures+of+sticker.png) 10. Taking photos of the applied stickers and attaching them to the TIPS case 11. After the XSS ticket has been successfully processed, the communication module must be deactivated using XENTRY: • Connect XENTRY Diagnosis • Access the HERMES control unit (N112/9) • "Adaptation" tab, menu item "Teach-in processes" -> "Deactivation" • Follow the instructions

Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two conditions are also met: • HERMES (N112/9) control unit: event code B15CE00 is ACTIVE and STORED (A+S) • Vehicle Documentation System: For the HERMES control unit, the EID1, EID2, ICCID, IMEI, IMSI, TELNR fields in the "Identification/Serial number" column have the value "-" Cause Still under analysis Remedy Recommission the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis 03/2026 and add-on 33399 installed or carry out the procedure with a newer version of XENTRY Diagnosis: XENTRY→ "N112/9 - Control unit for telematics services (HERMES)" -> "Adaptations" -> "Control unit commissioning" -> "Commissioning of previously installed control unit"