2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 10% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30 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.
“The contact owns a 2014 mercedes benz GL450. The contact stated that the transmission jerked and hesitated to shift. The failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The technician reprogrammed the transmission software and the module was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30.”
NHTSA complaint #10667575, filed 2014-12, 30 miles“Oil leaking and wicking into camshaft position sensors, camshaft magnets, O2 sensors, engine wiring harness and ultimately, the ECU is destroying all electronic components connected to the engine causing misfiring and seizing. The issue is quite prevalent via internet research as potentially thousands of owners with my engine (M278) all experience the same issue. Mercedes Benz advises a $11,000 temporary fix by replacing all engine electronic components but the problem will occur again since the root cause of the oil leak is unknown. Be advised that this is NOT a normal wear and tear issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11418207, filed 2021-05Related service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 11010818Nov 20, 2024Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause…
- 10135970May 16, 2014Delayed 2-3 Upshift
- 10167546Jul 30, 2013FC 2783 (Friction power of torque converter lockup clutch is too high) or FC 0741 (Actuation of torque converter lockup clutch not possible) stored in transmission control unit…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450
7 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 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