2012 Mercedes-Benz Gl350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (12) · Engine (4) · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Gl350 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 (46)
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 46 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-01-02 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl350. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormally loud crack. the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear glass in the moon roof had fractured without impact. the contact used tape on the fractured glass to prevent water from entering the interior o…”
2024-05-31 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl350. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. in addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with turbo failure. the contact w…”
2024-01-30 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler · 99,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz glk350. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's seat was excessively hot while using the heated seat feature. the contact was burned by the excessive heat while using the heated seat. the contact stated there was no medical attention needed; however, the contact placed …”
2023-09-04 · Engine“mercedes benz settled with u.s government the diesel emission scandal. there are about 122k class members. under the settlement, mercedes gave 122k class members 4 year/48k miles warranty. under the warranty, mb replaced the timing chain in may 2022 but on april, 2023 while driving on i-95 in massachusetts, the engine completely got shut down while…”
2022-10-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i would like to file an official complaint with mercedes service center prior to escalating. due to neglection the part of your authorized dealership, i am confronted with poor and conniving customer service, strong safety concerns, and financial loss. also, euro motors did not report any issues with the vehicle wire harness during the pre inspecti…”
2022-06-07 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags) and 22v315000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time …”
2019-12-26 · Unknown Or Other · 70,000 mi“the steering wheel lock is inoperative. the steering wheel will not be able to move due to fact that the steering wheel module fails. ## vin passed ## mercedes-benz 2012 ##…”
2019-03-29 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact called mercedes-benz of denver (located at 940 s colorado blvd, denver, co 80246, (303) 953…”
2019-03-12 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz glk350w4. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags) and 17v017000 (air bags). the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. crown eurocars (6500 perimeter loop rd, dublin, oh 43017, (888) 854-8278) was contacted an…”
2018-09-25 · Engine · 100,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl350btc. while driving approximately 65 mph, smoke appeared from the front end and underneath the vehicle. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and left to cool down. the contact opened the hood and noticed that the engine compartment was burned.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.