2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 15 complaints (80.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
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 | 12 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Air Bags: 12; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 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 | 1 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2016: 1; 2017: 7; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2023: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10918072 · 2016-10-22 (October 22, 2016)
TAKATA RECALL - MERCEDES STILL DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS RECALL, WHICH WAS ISSUED IN MAY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10918072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948947 · 2017-02-01 (February 1, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL IF MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS RECALL HOW COME A YEAR LATER I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS. THE RECALL STILL SHOWS NO REMEDY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AS THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND I DRIVE MY YOUNG KIDS EVERYDAY AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE. MERCEDES SHOULD BE ASHAMED. I WANT THIS MATTER FIXED ASAP. CERTAIN MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES AND ONE FCA MODEL ARE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAGS PROVIDED BY THE SUPPLIER TK HOLDINGS INC. ("TAKATA"). ON JANUARY 25, 2016 TAKATA FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT WITH NHTSA ANNO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10948947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970963 · 2017-04-06 (April 6, 2017)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 06/23/17*JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10970963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11020902 · 2017-08-31 (August 31, 2017)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (PARK PLACE MERCEDES OF ARLINGTON, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11020902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11042573 · 2017-11-02 (November 2, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AIRBAG RECALL, NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIME TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. GOING ON A YEAR AND STILL NO FIX OR GIVEN A TIME FRAME TO GET IT DONE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11042573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11042814 · 2017-11-02 (November 2, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR IS ON THE "HIGH RISK" LIST OF CARS THAT NEED TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS REPLACED, BUT I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER TWICE AND BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD NOT TO CALL AGAIN BECAUSE THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN REPLACEMENT WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR (ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS INSIDE), I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY FATALITIES 'YET' AND IT IS OK TO KEEP DRIVING WITH THE FAULTY AIRBAG.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11042814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11044640 · 2017-11-08 (November 8, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL...WHY IS NO ONE ABLE TO HELP ME. MY AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND I KEEP GETTING TOSSED AROUND AND NO ONE IS CLAMING RESPONSIBILITY. THE REASON I PURCHASED A MERCEDES IS FOR SAFETY OF MY FAMILY OF FIVE. WHAT DO I DO TO GET THIS FIXED?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11044640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11047315 · 2017-11-19 (November 19, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL - ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS. THE ONLINE SYSTEM SAYS THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE THE CAR IN AS A TRADE AS THEY SAID THEY CANT SELL IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11047315 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2022-05-09 (May 9, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
NHTSA campaign record ↗