2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 21 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 19.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 7 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 1 |
Engine: 7; Electrical System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 3; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Lane Departure: Warning: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 11244201 · 2019-08-15 (August 15, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, SEVERAL MESSAGES DISPLAYED REGARDING THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE, TRANSMISSION, AND THE VEHICLE BEING INOPERABLE. ALSO, SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FEATURES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WORLD WIDE MOTORS INC. (3900 EAST 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN VEHICLE WIRE HARNESS WAS DAMAGED DUE TO WATER THAT DRAINED FROM THE SUN ROOF INTO THE PANELS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11244201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418207 · 2021-05-23 (May 23, 2021)
Oil leaking and wicking into camshaft position sensors, camshaft magnets, O2 sensors, engine wiring harness and ultimately, the ECU is destroying all electronic components connected to the engine causing misfiring and seizing. The issue is quite prevalent via internet research as potentially thousands of owners with my engine (M278) all experience the same issue. Mercedes Benz advises a $11,000 temporary fix by replacing all engine electronic components but the problem will occur again since the root cause of the oil leak is unknown. Be advi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10715465 · 2015-05-09 (May 9, 2015)
YOU NEED TO ORDER A RECALL OF MERCEDES BENZ GL450 (2014) (VIN [XXX]). I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE LOCKING WHEN I DROVE BACK FROM SAN DIEGO AND SEVERAL TIMES I WAS CLOSE TO HIT OTHER VEHICLES. IN ADDITION, THIS WEEK MY BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING AND I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL FRIDAY (5/8/2015) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. NOW THEY TELL ME THAT AT 16,000 IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO BE COMPLETELY OUT OF BRAKES (WORN OUT) AND THAT THE CALIPER DAMAGED THE ROTORS AND THAT THEY WANT ME TO PAY $700 TO REPLACE THE PADS AND R…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10667575 · 2014-12-22 (December 22, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION JERKED AND HESITATED TO SHIFT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE AND THE MODULE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590445 · 2024-05-23 (May 23, 2024)
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who also determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failur…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11590445 at NHTSA ↗