2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE 3 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THAT THE LEFT REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING WHICH MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THAT WAS COMING FROM THE VENTILATIONS. THESE TWO PROBLEMS WERE FIXED. I TOOK THE CAR ANOTHER TIME. THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRUNK ONLY CLOSING HALFWAY. THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION WAS FIXED BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUNK. …

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299367 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS ALREADY 90% IN PARKING LINE WHICH IS HANDICAP'S. ABOUT TO STOP RIGHT FRONT OF HANDICAP SIGN, SUDDENLY VEHICLE START MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS IN BRAKE SO I PUSH LITTLE HARD TO COMPLETE STOP BUT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD SMASHING INTO THE BUILDING GLASS ENTRY WALL AND DOOR. I AM SO CERTAIN THAT MY FOOT WAS IN BRAKE. I WANT TO KNOW THAT IS THERE ANY WAY SOMEONE CALL OR VISIT WHERE BODY SHOP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE SO I CAN ASK MANUFACTURE TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11353649 at NHTSA ↗

PART OF MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT. THERE WERE NO CARS OR TREES AROUND AT THE TIME. NOTHING TOUCHED THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED.

Owner-reported narrative. 22,689 miles reported. Look up ODI 11386871 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owned a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS450. The contact stated that after turning the ignition switch off, the driver suddenly discovered flames were coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 15,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11436804 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2018-08-16 (August 16, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.

Consequence: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080013.

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

Reported: 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.