2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 55 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (60% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 vehicle and keep up with maintenance. The Mercedes Benz dealer quoted 8,000 to replace. This issue was known by Mercedes Benz which they did not disclose to owners. Very dangerous.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2026
“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 hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to two undisclosed recalls; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2025
“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 were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 284,000.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Aug 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2023
“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 issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2022
“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 $7,675.11 in rental charges through August 2022. I have received zero updates from Mercedes as to when they will fix this problem. I have also not received any reimbursement for my rental car expenses.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2022
“We were stopped at a red stoplight, out of nowhere there was a loud explosion, shook the whole car and sank, the feeling like we were in a sink hole or like a tire blew but the tire was fine. A loyd hissing sound ensued. Thank god, we were at a stop light and not in a speed that could have been deadly.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2021
“Takata recall - the recall originally came out in 2/2016, and at the time, it said a remedy was not yet available. I recently read another article about the recall and when I checked it still said a remedy wasn't available. That's three years they've had to fix it and they haven't.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2019
“Takata recall: mercedes benz contacted via mail stating the airbag recall back in february 2017 for 2011 gl450. Mb stated that airbags will be replace no later than june 2017. I have contacted two different mercedes benz dealerships to have the airbag replace however; I was told that parts or the remedy was still not available. It's november 2018 and I am still waiting on a fixed, while I have to drive this very dangerous vehicle that has very high potential to kill me if I get into an accident.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2018
“My 2011 gl450 mercedes suv is driving sideways one front and one back suspension airbags are not working I feel like my care is going to flip over when I turn. This is a hazardous problem. Can cause accidents a deaths not only on the driver but other people on the road”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact GL450 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 reliable?
NHTSA has 55 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The most complained-about area is air bags (60% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,500 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.