2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
8,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 35.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Service Brakes: 3; Suspension: 3; Engine: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 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 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2018: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11118382 · 2018-08-07 (August 7, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED UPON REACHING A HILL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS (3300 JAMBOREE RD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660, [phone removed]). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11118382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11150448 · 2018-11-09 (November 9, 2018)
I FOUND OUT THAT ONLY ON 2018 MERCEDES GLS MODELS, THE CAR LETS YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITHOUT A WARNING AND PUTS THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AUTOMATICALLY. IT DOES NOT PUT THE CAR TO 'P' OR GIVES YOU A WARNING SAYING YOU NEED TO PUT THE GEAR TO 'P' TO STOP THE CAR. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN ANY CAR. BASICALLY YOU BRAKE AND STOP THEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE BUTTON. THE CAR SHIFTS TO 'N' INSTEAD OF 'P' AND IF YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE THE CAR SLIDES SINCE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. EVEN OLDER CARS DO NOT LET YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE BEFORE SHIFTI…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11098025 · 2018-05-25 (May 25, 2018)
MY GLS-450 HAS THE 'LIGHTING PACKAGE' WITH ACTIVE LED HEADLAMPS INCLUDING 'CORNER-ILLUMINATING FRONT HEADLAMPS, ACTIATED (ACTIVATED SPELLED WRONG) BY THE STEERING WHEEL OR TURN-SIGNAL USE, BRIGHTEN YOUR WAY INTO DRIVEWAYS AND GARAGES.' AS I LIVE IN A VERY DARK RURAL AREA, I ORDERED THESE LIGHTS. I SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE LEDS, WHILE SUPERIOR FOR FORWARD LIGHTING,PROVIDE LITTLE OR NO SIDE LIGHTING FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE WHEN TURNING ONTO DIVIDED HIGHWAYS WITH DARK ISLANDS, ETC. THIS IS BECAUSE THE LEDS ARE VERY STRAIGHT SHOOTING FORWARD. BUT T…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11098025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11098029 · 2018-05-25 (May 25, 2018)
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE STEERING PILOT PART OF THE DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE OPTION I HAVE ON MY 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-450. THE STEERING PILOT IS SO POORLY DEVELOPED IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH SEVERAL TIMES, SO I HAVE TURNED IT OFF MOST OF THE TIME. THE MBUSA WEBSITE SAYS OF STEERING PILOT, ' THE STEERING PILOT FEATURE HELPS THE DRIVER KEEP THE VEHICLE CENTERED BETWEEN LANE MARKINGS WHILE CRUISING ON STRAIGHT ROADS, OR EVEN IN GENTLE CURVES.' NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. WHEN DEPLOYED, STEERING PILOT CAUSES MY VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11098029 at NHTSA ↗