2009 Mercedes Benz Gl450 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (7) · Suspension (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Gl450 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2024-04-26 · campaign 24V298000 · 15,604 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2022-05-09 · campaign 22V315000 · 350,294 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-11 · campaign 16V081000 · 711,159 vehicles
Defect: 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, 2011-201
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (61)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Exterior Lighting 2026-03-09 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the la
Showing the 6 most recent of 61 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-16 · Suspension · 156,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz gl450. the contact stated that the abs and check engine warning lights were illuminated, and the struts had failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 22v315000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagno…”
2022-10-19 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 143,300 mi“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz gl450. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started shuddering. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was not safe to drive. the vehicle was towed to the de…”
2022-01-16 · Unknown Or Other“i was driving 70 down an interstate a saturday around 4:30 pm and heard a noise as if my sunroof opened a bit, then i heard a loud pop and a rush of air and looked in my rearview mirror and didn't see anything, i looked up seen the sunroof was gone. all i could think about is that could have really caused a serious accident. glad no one was around …”
2019-02-17 · Service Brakes · 100,000 mi“takata inflators : the srs light is continuously staying on in the vehicle. as soon as the vehicle is started the light comes on and does not go off until the vehicle goes back off.…”
2018-11-19 · Suspension · 126,000 mi“i am having issues with my suspension. i've had to replace it twice in 1 year. a recall should be issued on this.…”
2018-02-22 · Suspension · 121,000 mi“i purchased my mb gl450 in 2010 and at that time it was covered as a pre-owned mb vehicle. under the warranty, i had the air ride suspension fixed twice. once on front left and right. after the warrant expired, i have had to do both sides of my suspension again. now the front left has failed and needs to be repaired. i have read my blogs and post…”
2017-12-10 · Air Bags“takata recall: still no remedy available per mercedes benz; first notice received 2/2017.…”
2017-12-07 · Air Bags“this complain is about the recall report as below feb 11,2016 manufacturer recall number2016020003 nhtsa recall number16v081 description: i have never been contacted by the manufacturer about this recall. apparently, the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner.…”
2017-11-14 · Air Bags · 10 mi“takata recall my vehicle is part of the recall and there is still no fix for my problem. this is extremely dangerous, we are driving with a ticking time bomb.…”
2017-11-09 · Air Bags“takata recall the recall was instituted february 2016, yet to date there has been no remedy offered by the manufacturer and no indication as to when they will be replacing the airbags.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.