Mercedes-Benz GL350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
86 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
58,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 86 complaints (32.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 17.4% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.3% |
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 | 28 |
| Engine | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
Air Bags: 28; Engine: 19; Unknown Or Other: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Power Train: 5; Seat Belts: 3; Suspension: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 42 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 5; 2016: 9; 2017: 20; 2018: 15; 2019: 8; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 7; 2023: 6; 2024: 4; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10462284 · 2012-06-19 (June 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,226. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ UPDATED 08/29/12
Owner-reported narrative. 24,226 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10565780 · 2014-02-25 (February 25, 2014)
AFTER EXTENSIVE REVIEWS OF TDI FORUMS, COMMON RAIL FORUMS, DIESEL FORUMS I HAVE FOUND A COMMONALITY IN THE FAILURES IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP). MAINLY THOSE FAILURES WERE ATTRIBUTED TO METAL SHAVINGS/PARTICLES/RUST FOUND IN DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS ARE USUALLY RUSTED IN EACH CASE AND MOST LIKELY IS THE SOURCE OF METAL/RUST CONTAMINATION AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE OF THE HPFP FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE HPFP CAUSES THE CR TO LOSE PRESSURE THEREFORE THE INJECTORS ARE STARVED OF FUEL OR WORSE CLOGGED WITH RUSTED METAL PA…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10565780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10726898 · 2015-06-23 (June 23, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWELVE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,848. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 37,848 miles reported. Look up ODI 10726898 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 10515243 · 2013-06-05 (June 5, 2013)
2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FRACTURED STEERING COLUMN, WATER PUMP LEAK AND ENGINE OIL LEAK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AT 11,763 THE STEERING COLUMN JACKET TUBE COVERING MOUNT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED BINDING AND WEAR ON THE SURROUNDING TRIM. THE COVERING AND TRIM WERE REPLACED. AT 26,163 THE WATER PUMP AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THEN AT 50,548 MILES, AN ENGINE OIL LEAKED DEVELOPED FROM THE OIL COOLER, R&R TURBO CHARGER, R&R LEFT AND RIGHT CHARGE AIR MANIFOLDS. ALL OF THE SEALS WERE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,763 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564368 · 2014-02-14 (February 14, 2014)
ABOUT A WEEK AGO I BOUGHT DIESEL FUEL FROM A TRUCK STOP IN LONG BEACH, NOT MY USUAL PURCHASE FROM MY LOCAL GAS STATION. ONE WEEK LATER I GET A MESSAGE TO CHANGE MY FUEL FILTER AND GOT A TROUBLE CODE INDICATING A LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE. I HAD THE FILTER CHANGED AND EXPERIENCED HARD STARTING LATER ON. THE OLD FILTER HAD WATER AND SOME ALGAE CONTAMINATION WHICH IS VERY COMMON IN DIESEL ENGINES. I SUSPECTED WATER FROM THE TRUCK STOP WHERE I GOT FUEL FROM AND TRIED TO REMOVE IT USING A DIESEL ADDITIVE, SEA FOAM. STARTING MY CAR GOT WORSE TO THE PO…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11530486 · 2023-07-05 (July 5, 2023)
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, there was oil leaking underneath the vehicle. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated while operating the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oil cooler seals were faulty and needed to be replaced. The seals were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer for transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11530486 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 2