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Mercedes-Benz GL450Model year report

2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Problems

Compared with other Mercedes-Benz GL450 years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010, 2012

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
55filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
73,000miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
32 do-not-drive
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.7L 8-cyl 4WD · 13 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 most often describe waiting for airbag recall repairs, with the parts reported as unavailable for years. Other reports describe air suspension parts failing, brake warnings or brake failures, and airbags that did not deploy or kept failing. Mileage is listed in only some reports, and the airbag recall reports that list it fall between about 60,000 and 98,000 miles.

  1. Air bags

    Takata airbag recall repairs delayed, parts unavailable

    • 32 complaints (58%)
    • median 79,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2016–2024

    Owners describe airbag recall notices, often for Takata airbags, followed by repeated calls or visits in which dealers said replacement parts or the remedy were not yet available. Some say the wait has lasted years, that the manufacturer gave no clear date for parts, and that they still drive the car while waiting. Complaints also compare this with other brands that offer loaner cars while parts are awaited, and some owners say they stopped driving the car out of fear. Where mileage is listed for these reports, it falls between about 60,000 and 98,000 miles, and some describe a recall waiting period that began in 2016.

    Recall 16V0810002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask the dealer for the current status of any airbag recall on the VIN, and check the manufacturer or NHTSA recall lookup before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11179924, filed 2019-02, 98,000 miles

    “Takata recall-how can you have this lethal of a situation and not have parts to replace. I want it in writing that I tried to rectify this and have been told there are no parts available at this time.”

    NHTSA complaint #11042911, filed 2017-11, 60,000 miles
  2. Suspension

    Suspension parts failing, including air springs

    • 8 complaints (15%)
    • median 80,000 mi at 7.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2011–2021

    Owners describe air suspension bags, springs, or compressors that burst, went out, or stopped working, leaving the car bouncing, leaning, or rocking from side to side. Some say a loud explosion or hissing happened while stopped, and that the AIRMATIC system exploded while the car was parked at a dealer. Other complaints describe a strut noise that returned on the other side after a strut was replaced, a suspension stuck in the low position, and rust on a rear subframe. Where mileage is listed, reports fall between about 12,000 and 104,000 miles, and a report says parts failed within the first months of ownership.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the air suspension compressor, bags, and AIRMATIC cables have been checked, and have any stored suspension fault codes read before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11406490, filed 2021-04, 80,000 miles

    “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”

    NHTSA complaint #11124629, filed 2018-09, 93,000 miles
  3. Brakes

    Brake warnings, brake failures, and brake recall repairs

    • 7 complaints (13%)
    • median 130,000 mi at 13.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2016–2025

    Owners describe brake or traction control warnings, a hydraulic control unit failure, and parking brake messages that appear while driving or reversing. Some say the brakes did not slow the car as expected, including in a rear-end collision and a crash into a canal, and that a car could not be driven under a do-not-drive recall. Complaints also describe a brake recall whose repair part was not yet available, and owners who had to arrange rental transportation while waiting. Mileage is listed in only some of these reports, ranging from a very low figure to about 284,000 miles.

    Recall 22V315000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 24V298000 · DO NOT DRIVE1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether any brake recall is still open for the VIN, and have brake and traction control fault codes read before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought a mercedes GL450 about a year ago, is well taken care of ever since I got it, also the reason I purshased this vehicle because I've heard good things from mercedes that it's safe and a reliable vehicle . So I thought and I would've never imagine this vehicle put me my family and I at risk. Starting with the airbag. The sensor keeps on triggering it so its malfunctioned. Also I have an ABS/esp sensor on as well. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10850434, filed 2016-03, 79,000 miles

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11491926, filed 2022-11
  4. Air bags

    Airbags not deploying or repeatedly failing

    Mentioned in 6 of 48 sampled complaints

    Owners describe airbags that did not deploy in a crash, a passenger airbag indicator that came on, and sensors that kept triggering. Some say airbags were replaced more than once after failing, and that a vehicle computer also failed while driving. In a crash report, the manufacturer said the airbags performed properly, and the owner has questioned that conclusion. Where mileage is listed, reports fall between about 37,000 and 140,000 miles.

    Recall 16V0810002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether any airbag warning light is on, and have stored airbag fault codes read with a scan tool before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “We were south bound on us131 and was struck in the drivers door. Entire drivers side of the vehicle has damage from front bumper to rear wheel. None of the air bags deployed and the computer has a stored code for both drivers side doors. I have contacted mercedes and they contend that the air bags performed properly. Vehicle is just now being disassembled to determine damage so I think mercedes might be covering something up.”

    NHTSA complaint #10628199, filed 2014-08, 37,688 miles

    “This car was sold to me as a cpo vehicle from mercedes benz of greenwich with 32k miles in 2014. Since ownership all airbags have failed and been replaced except the recalled takata steering wheel air bag. The curtain air bags, rear airbags etc. Are now on the second replacement. The computer failed while driving and the dashboard went completely black and needed to be replaced. The dealership has told me that this year vehicle has continual problems and failures. It the sound like the car should have been recalled. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10948750, filed 2017-01

Buying note. Someone considering this model year may want to confirm whether the airbag recall repair has been completed, since owners describe long waits for parts. They may also check the air suspension and brake recall status for the VIN and ask for service records, since these reports describe those systems.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 55 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 28% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 65 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Mercedes-Benz GL450 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall. This car is used to transport my grand kids around town. I also use it as a realtor to carry customers around. I am very concerned about the slow reaction from the mercedes dealership and the liability I carry. I am concerned about the safety of my passengers. Please put some pressure on them to repair/replace these dangerous air bags.”

NHTSA complaint #11080611, filed 2018-03

Suspension: “The airmatic system exploded while the car was at the mercedes benz dealier in modesto, california parked to have the breaks repaired .. According to the dealer the car is no operable due to one of the various airmatic controles exploded while parked waiting being services. The explosion was loud and keept the car bouncing for a couple minutes while the other airmatic controles were deflating due to the explotion. More information can be obtained from the mercedes benz dealer in modesto california since the explo tion occurred at their shop”

NHTSA complaint #11066844, filed 2018-02, 104,000 miles

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11553771, filed 2023-11, 284,000 miles

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11522087, filed 2023-05

Mileage when problems were reported

28% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,688 and 98,000 miles.

11%0–1011%10–256%25–5022%50–7528%75–10017%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 73,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’11’14’1719’19’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
GL450 4matic 4WD4.7L 8-cyl7-speed automatic131815$5,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 65 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 65 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GL450

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016135,0005—19—Not enough data
20151838,5083—19—Falling
20142156,0003—16—Rising
20133724,0003—1650 · TypicalStable
20124757,5003—150 · FewerFalling
20115573,0003—1550 · TypicalRising
20104292,1383—140 · FewerStable
200915121,0003—15—Falling
20085569,0002—1552 · TypicalStable
200711580,0002—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz GL450 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

Owners of this 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 most often describe waiting for airbag recall repairs, with the parts reported as unavailable for years. The issues reported most often: Takata airbag recall repairs delayed, parts unavailable; Suspension parts failing, including air springs; Brake warnings, brake failures, and brake recall repairs.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 have?

NHTSA recorded 55 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 34 complaints (62% of the total), followed by suspension with 9.

Has the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 (GL450 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,000 miles and the middle half falls between 37,688 and 98,000 miles; 28% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.