2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 13%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 13% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. So as I am driving the car the car suddenly brakes frequent, there's times that it doesn't at all and the brake system doesn't work at all. Huge red flag!!! …”
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“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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11683170, filed 2025-08, 120,000 miles“The contact owned a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop, which led him to rear-end a truck in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained a fracture in the finger, and forehead injury caused by the impact with the steering wheel that required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was deemed destroyed. The contact related the failure to the received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). …”
NHTSA complaint #11596585, filed 2024-06, 140,000 milesRelated recalls
- 24V298000Apr 26, 2024DO NOT DRIVEMercedes-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…Covers: Mercedes-Benz GL450 2007–2012, R350 2006–2012, ML350 2006–2011 +10 more
- 22V315000May 9, 2022DO NOT DRIVEMercedes-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…Covers: Mercedes-Benz GL450 2007–2012, R350 2006–2012, ML350 2006–2011 +10 more
Related service bulletins
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Complaint 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…
- 10038045May 5, 2011Mercedes-benz: there is the possibility of multiple brake warning messages displayed. There is a worn line causing fault codes. *rm updated 6/29/11. *pe updated 7/13/11.
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450
34 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology