Mercedes-Benz GLS 550 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLS 550 (2017–2018) that have at least 5 complaints. 2018 has the most, with 6. Across all years, the part named most often is other or unknown (5 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All GLS 550 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | 7,000 | 3 | 88 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 6 | 54,000 | 5 | 82 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Other or unknown5 38%
- Transmission and drivetrain2 15%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)1 7.7%
- Suspension1 7.7%
- Seat belts1 7.7%
- Fuel system1 7.7%
- Engine1 7.7%
- Electrical system1 7.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2018: “Seatbelt had tightened and not released when my body moves. Brakes are not applied. Typically during driving I'm small enough to maneuver my hand down to release red seat belt button. I've had to stop my vehicle 5-10 times to release belt. I have 2 small kids 7/ 11 both are 60 pounds they are 4 feet tall and 4'6' 7 year old still uses booster I''ve checked belts to the best of my ability but I'm 110 lbs 5'2' and have no mechanical training or experience or certifications this has been noted to mercedes and the problem is never really discussed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11297292, filed 2020-01, 32,000 miles2017: “I purchased a 2017 gls 550 in january 2018 from loeber motors in lincolnwood illinois. The sticker on the vehicle represented that there were 'all season' tires on the vehicle. After numerous guarantees from the salesmen, I was assured that the vehicle would be 'safe' on the factory tires as they were represented as all season. It was not until I found myself driving through a spring snowstorm in wisconsin that I realized that there was something terribly wrong with the way the vehicle was handling in the storm. …”
NHTSA complaint #11092420, filed 2018-05, 11,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaints
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. Methodology