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Mercedes-Benz GL550Model year report

2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
94,600miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
32 do-not-drive
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,600 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the vacuum and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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

Brakes: “The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. …”

NHTSA complaint #11613416, filed 2024-09, 200,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of engine power without warning. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes-Benz of daytona beach (1188 n tomoka farms rd, daytona beach, fl) for diagnostic testing, but the results were not disclosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000. Carfax the VIN provided has no displayable records. Updated 11/28/18”

NHTSA complaint #11130048, filed 2018-09, 106,000 miles

Tires: “I purchased tires in january 2015 , in october 2015, my signall displayed check tire pressure. I had the tire inspected an rotated at place of purchase. Within weeks my tire was completely flat. I stopped at the nearest station and was told I had a crack in the inner side wall. On 10/15/2015 I returned to the place I purchase the tires. I explained that I believed, that my tire is faulty. The merchant told me you must have hit something, it happens all the time .. …”

NHTSA complaint #10783003, filed 2015-10, 83,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 83,200 and 106,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7550%75–10025%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 94,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201520162201822024
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 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 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
GL550 4matic 4WD/AWD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic131714$5,850

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 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 → · 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. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GL550

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201582,2003—15—Not enough data
20141033,5003—15—Not enough data
2013662,6863—15—Not enough data
2012861,0003—14—Not enough data
20111569,0003—14—Rising
2009694,6003—14—Not enough data
20081295,5002—14—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz GL550 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 (GL550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,600 miles and the middle half falls between 83,200 and 106,000 miles; 0% 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.