2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
79,255 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 23 complaints (39.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Air Bags: 9; Engine: 6; Service Brakes: 3; Suspension: 2; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 7; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 11464858 · 2022-05-16 (May 16, 2022)
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard. The contact then pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. However, there was 20-foot stopping distance delay. The warning message "Brake Fluid Low" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed a trail of brake fluid on the ground. The contact was able to refill the brake fluid reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an indep…
Owner-reported narrative. 129,748 miles reported. Look up ODI 11464858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11512780 · 2023-03-20 (March 20, 2023)
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated that the dealer had previously serviced the vehicle under an unknown diesel emission recall; however, the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the ignition switch was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer determin…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 11512780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873758 · 2016-06-12 (June 12, 2016)
HELLO. MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED TWO SEVERELY ELONGATED TIMING CHAINS IN 30,000 MILES OF DRIVING. TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE ARE 114,000, AND THE VEHICLE IS A 2011. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILS DURING DRIVING, IT WILL CAUSE AN ENGINE STALL, AND MAY POTENTIALLY CAUSE SEIZURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND WHEELS, CAUSING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $8,000, THE TIMING CHAIN AND ALL RELATED TIMING COMPONENTS HAD BEEN REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 15 MONTHS AGO, AND NOW, THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. IN SPEAKING WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10873758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557696 · 2013-12-30 (December 30, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER THE STEERING SYSTEM COLUMN WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILURE LATER RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557696 at NHTSA ↗