2011 Mercedes-Benz Gl450 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (31) · Suspension (7) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3)
🧭 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 (65)
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 65 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-11 · Unknown Or Other“my tires were wearing on the inner sides, replaced tires and had a 4 wheel alignment. rear wheel alignment could not be corrected due to severe rusted and corrosion. mechanic said the rear sub frame needs replacing. they advised that i do not drive the vehicle because it is not safe. i have the wheel alignment printout. i only have 48,000 miles on …”
2025-08-26 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz gl450. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message for brake and traction control failure was intermittently displayed, causing the cruise control to disengage. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with ha ydraulic control unit failure. the contact was informed that the…”
2024-06-25 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 140,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2011 mercedes-benz gl450. the contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop, which led him to rear-end a truck in front. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact sustained a fracture in the finger, and forehead injury caused by the impact with the steering wheel th…”
2024-01-31 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“i [xxx] own. the mercedes benz, it was in recall for the air bag, i took it to the dealer at the coral gables dealership of the mercedes, 300 almeria ave, coral gables 33134. phone (305)306-3549. and it was check. i was involved in an accident on ([xxx]) went into a canal. 50 feet down, the air bag did not open, the brake did not brake properly th…”
2023-11-06 · Parking Brake · 284,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz gl450. the contact stated that while reversing, the message "release parking brake" was displayed. the contact stated that she engaged the parking brake release button. the contact was able to continue driving. the contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. the dealer and the manufacturer…”
2023-10-24 · Engine“check engine light came on and took it to the mechanic who identified low compression on cylinder #3. the injector was replaced which did not fix the issue since the vehicle lags when first accelerating. we were also informed of a service bulletin that included the issue with our vehicle and to take the car to the dealer. the vehicle was taken to t…”
2023-05-15 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“we smelled smoke from under the passenger seat. we had the car in for a recall and service recently and didn’t understand what was happening. our three children smelled the smoke too. everyone exited the car and it burst into flames. …”
2023-01-31 · Seats · 🔥 fire“heated seat caught fire while driving…”
2022-11-02 · Service Brakes“brought this vehicle into mercedes-benz of peoria, peoria, il. for routine maintenance on may 19, 2022. when i returned to pick up vehicle, i was informed of the do not drive recall and was informed i could not drive my car. i was only offered a curtesy car for that night and then had to find my own rental car, which i have done, incurring $7,675…”
2022-09-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz gl450. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v315000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was made aware of the issu…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.