2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (3) · Service Brakes (3) · Structure:body (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2022-05-20 · campaign 22V365000 · 242,722 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V058000 · 1,292,258 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2018-08-16 · campaign 18V539000 · 9,044 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (91)
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.
Power Train 2026-09-26 · LI27.00-P-073124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (nag3 classic /9g‑tronic automatic transmission) and 725.1 (nag3 facelift/9g‑tronic automatic transmission facelift) for faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, intelligent predictive repair (ipr) has been developed a
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,
Power Train 2026-09-14 · LI27.10-P-075869 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. this can be identified through control unit n45 or n15/7 in the quick test. when accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. it may be mistaken for a harsh shift. cause modified oil qu
Power Train 2026-09-04 · LI27.00-P-073124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (nag3 classic / 9g‑tronic automatic transmission) and 725.1 (nag3 facelift/9g‑tronic automatic transmission facelift) for faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, intelligent predictive repair (ipr) has been developed
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 91 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-12-05 · Service Brakes · 🔥 fire“january 2023 - airbag suspension failed. replaced by mercedes dealership. december 2024 - airbag suspension failed. replaced by mercedes dealership. april 2024: first brake failure. the brakes stopped while driving. repaired. april 2025: second brake failure. brakes failed again. repaired. the mechanic stated the line was too close to the wheelba…”
2025-08-26 · Service Brakes“brake brakes are terrible. they have other years that they’ve acknowledge that the break are spongy and at times does not break the gls has that defect. also smell of gas fumes inside the vehicle. please direct me the right way and help me with this issue. the brake issue almost have caused me two major accidents car doesn’t stop mechanic says this…”
2025-04-22 · Suspension“when attempting to rise/lower the automatic suspension, the compressor cooling notification pops up, followed by a malfunction. after this occurs, the vehicle is incredibly bumpy, to the point of it being unsafe to drive. the vehicle has been repaired twice already by the dealership under extended warranty and the condition has occurred a third tim…”
2025-04-14 · Suspension“this 2018 gls 450 has issues with suspension system. bought this car in 2023 and using since jna 2023 and suspension system failed like 3 -4 times. mechanic changed the air compressor , valves and others and still the car has same issue. it used to lift the car to adequate height but the compressor keeps on pushing it to cause teh compressor to fai…”
2022-12-27 · Seats“third row seat will not lock. warning message came on several months ago. i brought the vehicle in for service in may of 2022 to mercedes benz of westwood ma. they neglected to repair the issue with the seat and returned the car back to me with the safety issue still unresolved. i spoke with the dealer and mercedes benz usa and they refuse to repai…”
2022-03-21 · Unknown Or Other“while driving our 2018 mercedes gls 450 down highway 80 just outside sacramento, ca, the stationary glass panel of our panoramic sunroof spontaneously explpoded. there was no impact by any outside force, it just shattered with the sound similar to a gunshot. fortunately i did not lose control of the vehicle, and thankfully the sun shade was closed …”
2021-10-14 · Engine · 15,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 t…”
2021-01-06 · Structure:body · 22,689 mi“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.…”
2020-09-08 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“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 …”
2020-01-14 · Suspension · 8,000 mi“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 anothe…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.