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Mercedes-Benz GL550Model year report

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
61,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
32 do-not-drive
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl 4WD · 12 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (75% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 51 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 2 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

Air bags: “Takata recall - I had head-on collision accident on 02/03/2015, steering wheel and leg air bag was deployed, but caused me injury after it deployed to my hand, fingers and knees. Once leg air bad deployed, my right kneed hit the switch underneath the driver seat and caused injury. Mercedes don't install this switch underneath the seat anymore and I believe there was flaw in design and location of this switch and now they changed the location of switch. They might have found something in their testing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10863167, filed 2016-05, 63,000 miles

Brakes: “This is relative to the brake booster recall. Mercedes-Benz conducted a test and there was significant corrosion that exceeded the normal limits allowed. I am still under a stop drive order but I have not been provided any further instruction or provided a vehicle to drive while my vehicle awaits repair or buy back.Customer service representatives have not corresponded with me despite multiple emails and calls over the last 2 -3 weeks. I need A vehicle repaired so it can operate safely or I need another vehicle to drive while awaiting available parts please.”

NHTSA complaint #11477415, filed 2022-08

Electrical system: “I purchased a this vehicle at a dealership Laurel Ford as is no warranty for $14,000 and not even in a week of me having it the key fob was not working and it’s been giving me problems so now it’s not is not reading the ignition switch and it won’t turn on it’s not drivable, and I have small three kids. I love it but the headache I can’t deal. Please help!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #11635569, filed 2025-01

Exterior lighting: “The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550. While driving 15 MPH, the contact activated the rear driver side turn signal, but the signal failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the light module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue the approximate failure mileage was 61,000. Updated 06/01/17”

NHTSA complaint #10969294, filed 2017-03, 61,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 63,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2533%25–5067%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 61,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

201620174201920222025
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 2012 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 4WD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic121714$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 2012 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. 51 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 51 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (75% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 2012 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 (GL550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,000 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 63,000 miles; 33% 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.