2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
57,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 46 complaints (45.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 10.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.2% |
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 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
Air Bags: 21; Suspension: 7; Power Train: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Seat Belts: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 28 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 15; 2018: 9; 2019: 7; 2020: 2; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11091111 · 2018-04-30 (April 30, 2018)
"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2012 GL 450 MERCEDES BENZ ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKES ENGAGED BEFORE I COULD STOP MY VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. IT LITERALLY ALMOST SENT ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, A HARD GRINDING SOUND AND AN INTENSE STOP. STILL TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE JERKED AND JERKED AND THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO ENGAGE. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF THE ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY OR A BAD SENSOR THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473677 · 2022-07-13 (July 13, 2022)
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL 450. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle causing him to crash into the vehicle in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. Both air bags under the steering wheels deployed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The front of the vehicle hood, bumper, and radiator was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824225 · 2016-02-04 (February 4, 2016)
ON 01/08/14, A FEMALE DRIVER OF A 2012 GL 450 WAS STATIONARY, IN THE GARAGE, WITH ENGINE RUNNING. BEFORE SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK ON HER CHILD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SHE PRESSED THE PARK BUTTON ON THE DRIVE SELECT ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED COLUMN SHIFTER. AS SHE EXITED AND WALKED AROUND TO HER CHILD, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE TRAVELLED BACKWARDS AND PINNED HER BETWEEN THE OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE GARAGE WALL. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE'S DOOR HINGE BOLTS BROKE, THE DOOR FOLDED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO EXTRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,616 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10850900 · 2016-03-21 (March 21, 2016)
ON JANUARY 8, 2014, THE OWNER OF THE 2012 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 WAS INSIDE HER VEHICLE WITHIN THE GARAGE OF HER RESIDENCE, PREPARING TO LEAVE TO PERFORM ERRANDS. REALIZING SHE NEED TO ATTEND TO HER YOUNG CHILDREN, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GL450 SUDDENLY BEGAN MOVING REARWARD IN REVERSE. THE REVERSING VEHICLE PINNED THE OWNER BETWEEN THE OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE GARAGE WALL, IMPACTING THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BODY WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO FRACTURE HER PELVIS AND BEND BACK THE HINGES O…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,608 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10763948 · 2015-09-15 (September 15, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE LEFT LANE OF A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE LOST ENGINE POWER AND POWER STEERING. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS LIGHT RAIN AND THE ROAD WAS WET. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND RESTART THE ENGINE BUT IT DIED WITHIN TWO TO THREE SECONDS. I THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN A RUNNING ENGINE AFTER ABOUT 5 RESTART CYCLES. THE ENGINE LOSS OF POWER HAS BEEN TRACED BACK BY A MERCEDES REPAIR CENTER TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE ELE…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,967 miles reported. Look up ODI 10763948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11149871 · 2018-11-07 (November 7, 2018)
THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WHEN PARKED AND WHEN DRIVING. WE HAVEN'T FOUND ANY GAS ON THE FLOOR OF OUR GARAGE BUT DEFINITELY A STRONG GAS SMELL AND FUMES. WE HAVE TRIED TO FILL THE TANK 1/2 WAY BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP THE SMELL/FUMES ARE THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE HOUSE INCLUDING THE 3RD FLOOR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT EXPLODING OR CATCHING ON FIRE. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF OTHER MERCEDES LEAKING GAS AND WONDER IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS A GL 450?
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11149871 at NHTSA ↗