2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
73,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 55 complaints (61.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 12.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.8% |
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 | 34 |
| Suspension | 8 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
Air Bags: 34; Suspension: 8; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 37 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 19; 2018: 13; 2019: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 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 10850434 · 2016-03-18 (March 18, 2016)
I BOUGHT A MERCEDES GL450 ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF EVER SINCE I GOT IT, ALSO THE REASON I PURSHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I'VE HEARD GOOD THINGS FROM MERCEDES " THAT IT'S SAFE AND A RELIABLE VEHICLE" . SO I THOUGHT AND I WOULD'VE NEVER IMAGINE THIS VEHICLE PUT ME MY FAMILY AND I AT RISK. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG. THE SENSOR KEEPS ON TRIGGERING IT SO ITS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO I HAVE AN ABS/ESP SENSOR ON AS WELL. SO AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES FREQUENT, THERE'S TIMES THAT IT DOESN'T AT ALL AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11101523 · 2018-06-12 (June 12, 2018)
DEAR LADY/GENTLEMAN GOOD MORNING I WAS DRIVING OUT FROM THE PARKING VERY SLOW. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT FOR WHAT I KNOW CAR INCREASE SPEED RAPIDLY. I PUSH BRAKES BUT DOESN'T STOP AS A RESULT MY CAR HIT OTHER CARS IN PARKING. FOR WHAT I KNOW STEERING WAS LOCK. PLEASE CHECK IF MY CAR HAD ANY ELECTRONIC ATTACK . THANK YOU IN ADVANCE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948750 · 2017-01-31 (January 31, 2017)
THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO ME AS A CPO VEHICLE FROM MERCEDES BENZ OF GREENWICH WITH 32K MILES IN 2014. SINCE OWNERSHIP ALL AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED EXCEPT THE RECALLED TAKATA STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG. THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS, REAR AIRBAGS ETC. ARE NOW ON THE SECOND REPLACEMENT. THE COMPUTER FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND THE DASHBOARD WENT COMPLETELY BLACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS CONTINUAL PROBLEMS AND FAILURES. IT THE SOUND LIKE THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I WAS TOLD TO SELL THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10948750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11551600 · 2023-10-24 (October 24, 2023)
Check Engine Light came on and took it to the mechanic who identified low compression on cylinder #3. The injector was replaced which did not fix the issue since the vehicle lags when first accelerating. We were also informed of a service bulletin that included the issue with our vehicle and to take the car to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not check the cylinder low compression/leakage issue because the check engine light wasn't on, which it would not be since it was recently serviced, and the number of miles required …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11551600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10380039 · 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 4MATIC LAST NIGHT. THE CAR HAS A KEYLESS GO SYSTEM. WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR THIS AFTERNOON I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED THE CAR OFF WITHOUT PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND BEGAN TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACK DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR NEVER WENT INTO PARK WHEN I TURNED IT OFF. RATHER IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR THAT DIDN'T GO INTO A PARK MODE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TERMINATED. THANK GOODNESS A CHILD WASN'T PLAYING IN MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 46 miles reported. Look up ODI 10380039 at NHTSA ↗