2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 15%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 15% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,500 miles.
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.
“While driving the balancing indicator light came on. Then there was a loud bang and the vehicle shook violently. It felt like I was rear ended. Then was vehicle was sitting on the springs. My vehicle has only 83000 miles on it and I have had to replace the front and now rear suspension.”
NHTSA complaint #11062320, filed 2018-01, 83,500 miles“The rear suspension became soft after the dealer did an intial check after I complained about the vehicle feeling unstable after speeds of 70mph. I had both air shocks changed in the rear. After two (2) months the front suspension on the passenger also started to leak causing the vehicle to suspension to automatically adjust in the front while driving or parked. This occured whether the vehicle was parked or in motion, highway or city streets.”
NHTSA complaint #11311208, filed 2020-02, 7 miles“4-5 miles into driving airmatic malfunction appears on my dashboard ( picture of an straight up arrow in the middle of car picture) when I increase the speed to 50 miles the tachometer goes crazy and I hear loud sound. Car has less than 50 000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11138764, filed 2018-10, 48,000 miles“At around 60k miles, I had to replace the automatic suspension on both of the front tires (around $3,000). Now I'm having issues with the back and will probably have to replace them as well at 69k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11123444, filed 2018-08, 60,000 miles“Car just reached 90k miles with limited driving. The airmatic suspension has been acting oddly for the past month - I would find it low in the rear in the morning after being parked in a flat garage. The next day the entire car would be lowered. Whe is turn off the car, you would hear air being released. Today, when parked, there was a loud explosion, the car shook for a few minutes and then the entire thing sank to the wheel wells. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113701, filed 2018-07, 90,000 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 8% |
| 2015 | 3 | 17% |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 5 | 14% |
| 2012 | 7 | 15% |
| 2011 | 9 | 16% |
| 2010 | 5 | 12% |
| 2009 | 3 | 20% |
| 2008 | 15 | 27% |
| 2007 | 11 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450
22 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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