2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
92,138 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 42 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
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 | 21 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Air Bags: 21; Service Brakes: 5; Suspension: 5; Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 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 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 22 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 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 14; 2018: 6; 2019: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 11172611 · 2019-01-28 (January 28, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE THE CONTACT'S BROTHER WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE DROVE UPHILL AND BECAME AIRBORNE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE WERE NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11465528 · 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)
As the recall states for the brakes the car failed while at high speed on the highway luckily I had distance from other cars for the car to slow down on its own. Brakes failed 90%, pressure completely gone.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10493738 · 2013-01-22 (January 22, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD-REST AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING WITH A MORE STURDY TYPE OF WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,696. *DT*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 37,696 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11635038 · 2025-01-09 (January 9, 2025)
The EIS module we have found has an issue with the part from Japan that does not have enough Sauder on a part of it, so when the temp drops below 50 degrees or less the ignition starts but all the safety features go off and the computer shuts down the vehicle. Reason is the metal contracts in cold weather causing the connections to not fully meet. We have figured this out after many times of replacing the main battery, aux battery thinking this is the issue. After much research on the web and MB forums this seems to be an issue especially in …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11635038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10954177 · 2017-02-13 (February 13, 2017)
TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAS FAILED. TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEM SHIFTING UP/DOWN AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 40MPH). SHOW CONFIRMED THE VALVE BODY IS NO GOOD.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11171765 · 2019-01-23 (January 23, 2019)
THE STEERING ON THE SUV FREEZES AND DOESN'T TURN PROPERLY COULD CAUSE OVER STEERING AND A DEADLY ACCIDENT. ALSO THE SHOCKS ARE BAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11171765 at NHTSA ↗