2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 Problems

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact heard an abnormal humming sound when the vehicle was started, and the humming sound grew louder over time. The contact believed that the humming sound was coming from the driver's side headlamp. The contact stated that the headlamp was equipped with a small internal fan to dissipate heat. Additionally, other electrical failures were occurring, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the blower motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the humming sound returned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two more occasions, and the dealer replaced the timing belt and the alternator, however the failure reoccurred. Recently, while touching the door handle, the contact heard a humming sound that was very loud. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and it was determined that the driver's side headlamp assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V626000 (Electrical System, Steering, Exterior Lighting, Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 135,500.

Fire started in the Engine and consumed the entire vehicle in less than 5 minutes

On July 23, 2025, I drove my Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 to a medical appointment. After arriving, I parked near the valet station, turned off the car, and went inside to check in at LabCorp. Within two minutes, witnesses reported black smoke from the hood — followed by a violent explosion that shook the office building and triggered a multi-unit response from local fire and police departments. When I came downstairs, my vehicle was engulfed in flames. The front end was completely destroyed. Mercedes-Benz USA sent an investigator on September 8, 2025 to examine the wreck. Despite numerous follow-ups, I have received no written report, no findings, and no communication from Mercedes-Benz since that inspection detailing any relevant information. Safety Context: In March 2024, Mercedes-Benz issued Recall #24V-207, affecting 2019–2023 GLE and GLS models, citing a defective 48-volt ground connection that could cause a fire. My incident occurred in a GLS 450 model and appears consistent with this recall defect. If confirmed, this could indicate that the recall did not capture all affected VINs or that repairs were not properly executed. This incident was minutes from being fatal — and could easily have occurred on the highway or in my garage or with my 4 children inside. The lack of corporate response for over two months raises serious concerns about consumer safety, recall effectiveness, and corporate transparency.

Fire started in the Engine and consumed the entire vehicle in less than 5 minutes

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact heard an abnormal humming sound when the vehicle was started, and the humming sound grew louder over time. The contact believed that the humming sound was coming from the driver's side headlamp. The contact stated that the headlamp was equipped with a small internal fan to dissipate heat. Additionally, other electrical failures were occurring, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the blower motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the humming sound returned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two more occasions, and the dealer replaced the timing belt and the alternator, however the failure reoccurred. Recently, while touching the door handle, the contact heard a humming sound that was very loud. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and it was determined that the driver's side headlamp assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V626000 (Electrical System, Steering, Exterior Lighting, Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 135,500.

Over time, the low beam lights have faded which make it very difficult to see at night.

Vehicle check engine light came on early August 2024. Vehicle was brought in for service and checked for codes. B1F4500 Battery has excessive resistance B21059A The operating conditions of component have not been satisfied. Battery was replaced and rechecked. Po4427A Evap leak detected P04F000 Charcoal canister has a malfunction Smoke tested EVAP system to see if there was any leaks and tested the valves to make sure EVAP system was working correctly. Charcoal canister not actuating correctly so was replaced and checked. Gas cap also replaced Several days later Check engine light returns. Code continues to say "Small leak in the EVAP system." Every time the code is cleared it returns and Check Engine light returns. This has been going on for 7 months. Car cannot obtain the required SMOG inspection in California that is required for an annual registration of the vehicle. I believe the vehicle may need to be part of the Emission Service Campaign 2024030005 which has effected 16 other vehicles. Mercedes tells me that an update to the Engine Control Software will not be allowed because my vehicle is not one of the 16 vehicles that are currently effected by this issue. The issue is for the same make, model and year as my vehicle.

Fire started in the Engine and consumed the entire vehicle in less than 5 minutes

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after driving in a rainstorm, the power steering malfunction message was displayed. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was due to the electronic power steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure and the contact was referred to NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 29,210.

ON FRIDAY 11/30 MY 2017 MERCEDES GL450 SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION THAT LED TO A) NO ABILITY TO GET CAR OUT OF DRIVE (E.G. WOULDN'T PARK, REVERSE, COULDN'T TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE), B) NO ABILITY TO TURN CAR OFF, C) POWER STEERING WENT OUT, D) AIRBAGS FLAGGED AS INACTIVE, E) MOST ALL MY DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON INCLUDING ONE THAT SAID "MALFUNCTION", F) MY DASHBOARD GAUGES FAILED (E.G. NO WORKING ODOMETER), G) THE REAR HATCH COULDN'T OPEN. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY FAMILY -- INCLUDING 2 YOUNG CHILDREN -- THROUGH THE DESERT, PUTTING US AT VERY GREAT RISK. MY CAR IS BEING SERVICED AT MB OF VALENCIA (THE CLOSEST ONE I COULD DRIVE TO). I'M BEING TOLD BY THEM THAT A MINOR, LOW-SPEED AND LOW-IMPACT DENT IN MY REAR BUMPER CAUSED A MISALIGNMENT IN MY EXHAUST, WHICH BLEW HOT AIR INTO THE BUMPER AND CAUSED THE BLIND SPOT ASSIST TO MELT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW -- THAT A SMALL MISALIGNMENT COULD CAUSE A SEVERE AND LIFE-THREATENING CASCADING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IF LEFT UNTREATED, AND THAT I HAD NO WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT WHAT APPEARED TO BE A MINOR DENT WAS A MAJOR ISSUE. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN, AND IF THIS WARRANTS INITIATING A RECALL INVESTIGATION. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS TAKING PHOTOS AND WRITING UP FINDINGS. I'LL PROVIDE THEM ON REQUEST.

THE OTHER DAY AFTER A STORM MY SUV WAS PARKED AT THE STREET AND WHEN I OPENED THE LIFT GATE WATER START TO COMING OUT FROM THE INTERIOR I ALSO COULD SEE WATER IN THE INTERIOR LIGTHS .

2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLS450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE INTERIOR DOOR TRIM WAS NOT SECURE. *JS

I BOUGHT 2017 GLS 450 IN JULY LAST YEAR 2016.THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE PROPERLY FORWARD AND BACKWARD.AFTER THE INITIAL REVIEW THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS EXTERNAL INFLUENCE THAT CREATED THE PROBLEM. THE MOTOR IS UNDER THE SEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT. IN NO WAY IT COULD BE EXTERNAL PROBLEM. THE SEAT WILL NOT MOVE IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT AND THERE COULD BE NO DEPLOY OF THE AIRBAG DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF SEAT.I M JUST WORRIED OF THE SAFETY OF THE FAMILY. PLEASE CAN U CHECK IN THIS MATTER THANKS.

HEADRESTS IN THE 2ND ROW ARE UNSAFE, IN THE UP POSITION IT HAS NO PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN OR ADULTS, IN THE DOWN POSITION IT PUSHES THE NECK AND HEAD OF ALL PASSENGERS FORWARD.

My 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is experiencing serious and unpredictable transmission behavior related to the valve body and shifting mechanism. The transmission sometimes fails to engage Park, shifts on its own without driver input or attempts to engage Reverse unexpectedly. On multiple occasions the vehicle has moved or rolled after being placed in Park and once it appeared to shift itself toward Reverse. This behavior is a clear safety risk as the vehicle can suddenly lose control or move unexpectedly. It happens intermittently, without any dashboard warnings and often resets temporarily after restarting the car. According to multiple owners posting on Mercedes-Benz forums (including MBWorld, BenzWorld, and Mercedes-Benz Owners Club discussions), this issue is common among GLS and other Mercedes models using the same transmission. Many owners report identical symptoms: transmission slipping into Neutral or Reverse, failure to engage Park or erratic shifting caused by a malfunctioning valve body, defective solenoids or Transmission Control Module (TCM) faults. Some have shared diagnostic codes such as P073E and P07B7 that point to reverse and park circuit errors. Mercedes technicians and independent repair specialists who have posted on these forums frequently identify the valve body assembly as the source of the issue. Common explanations include internal hydraulic pressure faults, electrical connector leaks or sensor failures inside the valve body. Owners have been quoted thousands of dollars for valve body replacements as i was billed $2300+. This problem is not isolated to my vehicle and appears to be a recurring design or manufacturing defect that affects multiple model years and platforms sharing this transmission. Because the vehicle can unexpectedly shift or fail to hold Park, it creates an immediate safety concern for both drivers and bystanders. I have video of this dangerous issue

REAR DIFFERENTIAL AXLE SEALS WERE DISTORTED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAD OUT. THE SEALS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO ANY ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE OR DRIVE TRAIN. DEALER REPLACED SEAL QUICKLY AND PROMPTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS A PLEASURE TO DEAL WITH.

This is the 2nd time within a year my airmatic suspension system has went out while driving and I have lost control of driving my vehicle. I have paid 3900 to have the problem repaired it has not been a year and the same issue has happened. Faulty dangerous suspension system airbag suspension is dangerous and faulty.

My suspension failed would not send any air pressure to lift my vehicle while driving my car ride was very bumpy and I loss contol.

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact heard an abnormal humming sound when the vehicle was started, and the humming sound grew louder over time. The contact believed that the humming sound was coming from the driver's side headlamp. The contact stated that the headlamp was equipped with a small internal fan to dissipate heat. Additionally, other electrical failures were occurring, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the blower motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the humming sound returned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two more occasions, and the dealer replaced the timing belt and the alternator, however the failure reoccurred. Recently, while touching the door handle, the contact heard a humming sound that was very loud. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and it was determined that the driver's side headlamp assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V626000 (Electrical System, Steering, Exterior Lighting, Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 135,500.

I purchased this Vehical Al from auto of Texas in carralton tx I don’t have seatbelt on the second row so I am unable to buckle my children in I have contacted dealership three time for two weeks and they have not fixed the problem I have only have vehicle for 22 day didn’t not notice the where not seatbelts until after I purchased it my niece was thrown from the seat due to no seatbelt

2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLS450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE INTERIOR DOOR TRIM WAS NOT SECURE. *JS

Car did not brake when going about 5-7mph and crashed into another car.

I'VE GONE THROUGH 3 SETS OF TIRES THAT THE REAR 2 TIRES ARE ALWAYS BALD FIRST. I'VE HAD THE ORIGINALS BALD, THEN THE SNOW PIRELLI AND NOW THE MICHELIN. IS THERE A KNOWN ISSUE OR RECALL WITH THE 2017 GLS 450?