2015 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Service Brakes (1) · Seats (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Gl550 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Suspension:front 2018-04-27 · campaign 18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft 2016-12-14 · campaign 16V900000 · 48 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 GL350 4Matic Blutec, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic, ML250 Blutec, ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML400 4Matic and 2015-2016 GL63 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 29, 2014 through March 27, 2015. The affected vehicles have axle bolts on the front and/or rear drive axle carriers that may not have been assembled correctly. As a result, the remaining bolts may fracture.
Risk: If any of the remaining front or rear axle bolts fracture, the vehicle may be unstable, reducing the handling capability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the axle carrier bolts, free of charge. The recall is began February 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (85)
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,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 85 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-08 · Service Brakes“on 8/5/2026, the power boost on the vehicle was lost while at a nearby shopping center. braking became very difficult and it was dangerous to drive even a little distance. there were no warning lights from the vehicle. we had it towed to an independent repair shop where they determined the brake booster had failed. they did a recall check and saw t…”
2026-04-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling“see attached document for complaint.…”
2024-04-15 · Engine“see attached document for complaint…”
2023-09-26 · Engine“my 2015 gl550 has 90k miles on it and is city driven, on 09/11/2023 when i was trying to pull out onto a main rd my suv hesitated and the check engine light came on, luckily traffic wasn’t heavy at the time so i wasn’t in any accidents. i called and was able to get my suv into my local mercedes dealership for an inspection. when the suv was dropped…”
2023-02-22 · Engine“upon receipt of vehicle, when the weather was nice, a rattle in the engine compartment appeared to take place intermittently. upon diagnosis by a dealership, intermittent was confirmed to take place on a cold start, and not intermittently. upon further research, it was found the rattle is related to a manufacturer's defect with the timing chain te…”
2022-10-08 · Seats“there are many models of the gl550 ranging from 2012-2015, where the second row driver side seats get stuck in a downward position. recently it happened to me and another gl550 was in the shop at mercedes north houston for repair for the same issue. these are very common in this make and model and something needs to be addressed concerning the ma…”
2022-06-22 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“as i was driving down the freeway the whole vehicle caught on fire and we got out of the car and within 2-3 minutes while car was burned to ashes.…”
2016-12-07 · Unknown Or Other · 2,200 mi“my car has an ongoing problem with the hvac system. it generates a mold and mildew smell while using the ac and heat. mercedes says they no of this issue but have no permanent fix. the smell is so bad that it is almost un-drivable. mercedes dealerships have bulletins that denote the issue is known, but their work around only temporarily improves th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.