Mercedes Benz GL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
8,880 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2011 model years. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Steering: 2; Visibility: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Power Train: 1; Seats: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10232929 · 2008-07-01 (July 1, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOST POWER. THE CONTACT SWAYED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED. THE V…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10232929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10405730 · 2011-06-09 (June 9, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND THE TURN SIGNAL WERE BOTH LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHENEVER HE ACTIVATED THE LEFT OF RIGHT TURN SIGNALS, HIS HAND WOULD HIT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING IT TO ENGAGE INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNAL WHICH WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND COULD NOT BE CHANGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO STATED THAT SINCE THE SWITCH WAS DESIGNED ON THE SAME SI…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10405730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508175 · 2013-04-14 (April 14, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES TO A HOUR ON CRUISE CONTROL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN Y CRUISE CONTROL SENDS UP A ERROR MESSAGE N CUTS OUT THEN MY TRANSMISSION DROPS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 6TH GEAR AND WOULD GET STUCK AND I CAN'T SHIFT IT AT ALL. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN MY OF THE CAR TURN IT BACK ON JUST SO THE TRANNY WOULD SHIFT NORMAL. ANOTHER 30 MIN OR SO IT DOES IT AGAIN N I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCESS TO RESET MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 79,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10336564 · 2010-06-16 (June 16, 2010)
ENGINE ALMOST STALLS WHEN COLD. TOOK TO DEALER, DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. IT IS BETTER BUT STILL NOT RESOLVED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256101 · 2009-01-23 (January 23, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ G550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOG SYSTEM WIRING IN THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS COVERED WITH A SQUIZZLE LINE. WHEN HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE SYSTEM, THE WINDSHIELD LOOKS LIKE A DISCO BALL MOVING IN CIRCLES. THE FOG SYSTEM AFFECTS THE LIGHTING AND GLARE OF THE HEADLIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE GLARE OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER; THEREFORE, NOTHING …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256101 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 |
2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 0; 2010: 0; 2011: 2