Mercedes-Benz GLS450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
70 owner complaints analyzed
20 distinct recall campaigns
13,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 to 2021 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 70 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 22.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
Electrical System: 21; Unknown Or Other: 16; Engine: 12; Exterior Lighting: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Seats: 4; Steering: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 49 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 6; 2020: 7; 2021: 3; 2022: 13; 2023: 10; 2024: 10; 2025: 7; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 11646348 · 2025-03-04 (March 4, 2025)
Vehicle check engine light came on early August 2024. Vehicle was brought in for service and checked for codes. B1F4500 Battery has excessive resistance B21059A The operating conditions of component have not been satisfied. Battery was replaced and rechecked. Po4427A Evap leak detected P04F000 Charcoal canister has a malfunction Smoke tested EVAP system to see if there was any leaks and tested the valves to make sure EVAP system was working correctly. Charcoal canister not actuating correctly so was replaced and checked. Gas cap also rep…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11646348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11695525 · 2025-10-24 (October 24, 2025)
My 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is experiencing serious and unpredictable transmission behavior related to the valve body and shifting mechanism. The transmission sometimes fails to engage Park, shifts on its own without driver input or attempts to engage Reverse unexpectedly. On multiple occasions the vehicle has moved or rolled after being placed in Park and once it appeared to shift itself toward Reverse. This behavior is a clear safety risk as the vehicle can suddenly lose control or move unexpectedly. It happens intermittently, without any …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11695525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11156582 · 2018-12-06 (December 6, 2018)
ON FRIDAY 11/30 MY 2017 MERCEDES GL450 SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION THAT LED TO A) NO ABILITY TO GET CAR OUT OF DRIVE (E.G. WOULDN'T PARK, REVERSE, COULDN'T TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE), B) NO ABILITY TO TURN CAR OFF, C) POWER STEERING WENT OUT, D) AIRBAGS FLAGGED AS INACTIVE, E) MOST ALL MY DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON INCLUDING ONE THAT SAID "MALFUNCTION", F) MY DASHBOARD GAUGES FAILED (E.G. NO WORKING ODOMETER), G) THE REAR HATCH COULDN'T OPEN. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY FAMILY -- INCLUDING 2 YOUNG CHILDREN -- THROU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11156582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529734 · 2023-06-30 (June 30, 2023)
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after driving in a rainstorm, the power steering malfunction message was displayed. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was due to the electronic power steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and notifie…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,210 miles reported. Look up ODI 11529734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11196350 · 2019-04-18 (April 18, 2019)
2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLS450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE INTERIOR DOOR TRIM WAS NOT SECURE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11196350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500946 · 2023-01-09 (January 9, 2023)
On four occasions my car has stalled while in traffic very early in my ownership and then it happened again today with my family in the car and nearly caused an accident. The entire dash lights up with every warning when it happens. Sometimes the check engine light comes on after I shut the car off and restart it. My Mercedes dealer has had it in multiple times for this reason. The last time it was in for this (May of 2022) they "reprogrammed" the entire car. It happening again today has really made me lose a lot of faith in the vehicle, e…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500946 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 12 |
2016: 1; 2017: 8; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 12