32 of the
273 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz GL450
are about the electrical system —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the SRS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the air suspension strut failures, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had sustained severe water damage. The dealer informed the contact that the water had leaked from the sunroof through the headliner and onto the floor. The dealer informed the contact the water leak had caused mold on the headliner, and mold and corrosion on the floor, where the battery and electrical wires were located. The dealer informed the contact that the water entry had caused electrical failures, causing the driver's side and passenger's side third-row windows and the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11623956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blinkers and horn stopped working windshield wipers coming on without being turned on it’s saying drive to workshop without shifting gears and won’t start in the middle of the highway
NHTSA complaint #11621304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A flash from the right headlight had occured. I thought it was the bulb, but turns out the ballist was shorted out. I removed the assembly from the vehicle to change the ballist and because I want to also change the lens on the assembly. When I got the old lens off, I found most of the wiring has heat distress, causing the casings to flake off. I have photos of this issue. The headlights are a high energy assembly and this unsafe condition can lead to a vehicle fire if not taken care of immediately.
NHTSA complaint #11601540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) was completed; however, after the recall repair was completed, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer replaced the battery and completed other unknown repairs on the vehicle. The contact stated that he picked up and drove the vehicle to his residence; however, the vehicle failed to start the next day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would reimburse the rental car cost. The failure mileage was approximately 143,300.
NHTSA complaint #11490054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN MY GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE 2 HRS PRIOR. MY HUSBAND ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TONS OF LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, INCLUDING THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED, THOUGH THE AIRBAG HAD NOT DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS OFF BUT STILL SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING. WINDOWS OR NOTHING WOULD WORK. WE RAISED THE HOOD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DISCOVER THE ISSUE. WE COULD SMELL SOMETHING, BUT WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. WE PROCEEDED TO GO INSIDE OUR HOME, BUT LEFT THE GARAGE AND HOOD OPEN SO THE SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAVE THE GARAGE. COUPLE HOURS LATER WE HEARD A HISSING SOUND IN THE GARAGE. MY HUSBAND WENT OUTSIDE AND DISCOVERED THE TRUCK ON FIRE. NOT SURE WHERE IT STARTED, WHEN SAW IT WAS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED OUT. FIRE DEPT SOUND LIKE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY HAD WE NOT HEARD THE SOUND AND HAD THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #11444483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RAIN LEAKED IN THROUGH THE BACK CAUSING THE REAR SAM TO BE FILLED WITH WATER. THIS CAUSED ALL OF MY TAILLIGHTS TO GO OUT. I SAW A RECALL FOR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR AS MINE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE GL 450 THAT I CAN FIND. I CALLED MERCEDES WHICH YIELDED NOTHING.THEY TOLD ME THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC, NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. I GUESS MY VIN WASN'T CHOSED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE ONES THEY RECALLED IN 2009. THIS IS A NEW SAM. IT WAS REPLACED BY US WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED.
NHTSA complaint #11343043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. IN ADDITION, THE ESP AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER .THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ORLANDO AT 407-374-0033 (LOCATED AT 4301 MILLENIA BLVD, ORLANDO, FL 32839) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #11244970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATING ELEMENT IN DRIVERS SIDE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. WILL ONLY COVER 25% OF A 1400$ REPAIR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11206247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT IDLE (STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT) AND WHEN TRAVELING 70+MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE EVENT HAPPENS VERY FAST AND THE ENGINE RESTARTS WITHIN 30SEC. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE BUT ALL SYSTEMS CONTINUE WORKING (AC, RADIO, ETC). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NEITHER ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN VERY SCARY AND MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11130847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUT-OFF WITH NO WARNINGS WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING ALL THE INTERNAL ELECTRONICS (E.G. NAVIGATION, DASHBOARD). AFTER 1 SECOND, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ALL BY ITSELF. THE CLOCK INSIDE THE VEHICLE KEPT ON CIRCLING BACK AND FORTH AS IF SOME LIGHTNING HIT IT OR SOMETHING, AND IT WAS VERY SCARY, SINCE THERE WERE MANY CARS ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11088933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES GL 450. CONTACT LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE.MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 99,801. CONTACT WAS GOING 66MPH AT TIME WHEN DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT FIREAND CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MERCEDES HEATED SEATS RECALL FOR SEAT OVERHEATING AND HOLE BURNING IN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. 0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN
NHTSA complaint #11064425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSES FIRE. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SEAT HEATER. UPDATED 04/04/2017*JS UPDATED 04/14/2017*JS
NHTSA complaint #10933449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ISM (INTELLIGENT SERVO MODULE) HAS FAILED IN MANY OF THE SIMILAR MERCEDES CARS THAT I OWN. I CAN NOT START THE CAR AND CAN NOT EVEN ORDER THIS PART BECAUSE ONLY A DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS PART. MY VEHICLE IS STUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10937786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE REMAINED FUNCTIONAL DURING TWO OF THE FAILURES, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,561.
NHTSA complaint #10915357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, I TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR FOLLOWED BY A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND HEAT COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR. I FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SOMETHING POKING ME IN THE LEFT REAR POCKET OF MY PANTS, AND BURNED THE BACK OF MY KNUCKLE CHECKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE HEAT. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE HEATER AND PULLED OFF AT THE FIRST SAFE LOCATION. I EXITED THE VEHICLE (A PALL OF SMOKE FOLLOWED ME) AND KNOCKED THE SMOKING EMBERS OUT OF THE VEHICLE (A HOLE LARGER THAN A QUARTER IS BURNED IN THE SEAT). I ALSO NOTICED A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH MY PANTS. APPARENTLY, I CAME VERY CLOSE TO SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL INJURY, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT OF POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SCHEDULED THE CAR FOR NEXT MONDAY. RESEARCHING INTO THE ISSUE, MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THE NHTSA. OBVIOUSLY, THESE SEATS ARE DEFECTIVE, MERCEDES IS AWARE, THE PASSENGER SEAT IS NEXT AND IS NOT SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10839320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING ON SEAT WARMERS, THE CAR SMELLED OF A BURNING SMELL AND I FELT A VERY HOT SPOT ON MY BACK. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMERS TO FIND A HOLE BURNED INTO THE LEATHER. ALL OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF 2007 MB GL-450.
NHTSA complaint #10734182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEAD LIGHTS WENT OFF IN THE WHILE TRAVELING DUE TO DEFECTING WIRING SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO EXPERTS MB USED AN INFERIOR AND UNSUITABLE MATERIAL FOR THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES OF SOME OF THE GL450 MODELS. THIS INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATES UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10721160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE HORN INTERMITTENTLY GOES OFF AND WILL NOT STOP. MUST TURN OFF THE CAR TO GET THE HORN TO STOP SOUNDING. THEN, MUST TURN ON THE CAR AND TURN OFF THE CAR A FEW TIMES TO MAKE IT STOP UNTIL IT ALL STARTS HAPPENING, RANDOMLY, AGAIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY STEERING WHEEL SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE ISSUE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF. THE COST FOR AN IDENTICAL FACTORY WOOD STEERING WHEEL (WHICH IS WHAT THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH) IS $3,000; IF WE OPTED FOR A LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD THE COST WOULD BE $1500. THE OTHER WORKAROUND IS TO PULL THE FUSE AND NOT HAVE A HORN AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT COST THIS MUCH TO HAVE A STEERING WHEEL SWITCH REPLACED! THIS IS ESSENTIAL, BASIC EQUIPMENT, AND STARTING HAPPENING ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. HAVE CONTINUED TO FOLLOW-UP WITH DEALER TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OR IF THEY WILL FIX, BUT MERCEDES IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10682780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY TO AN AFTERNOON LUNCH ON THE 5TH OF DECEMBER, 2014, THE DAY WAS CHILLY AND IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO HAVE THE HEATED SEATS ON... AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE AREA (IT WAS ACTUALLY MY SEAT LIGHTING ME ON FIRE), NEEDLESS TO SAY THE SMELL CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I LOOKED FOR A SAFE AREA TO PULL OVER AND IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD MY SIDE STARTED SMOKING AND LIT ON FIRE. I FRANTICALLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND JUMPED OUT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RIP OF MY JACKET AND PUT OUT THE SMOLDERING SECTION OF IT. AFTER THAT I NOTICED THE CAR WAS STILL SMOKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT ABOUT TO GO UP IN FLAMES, AT THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUR 2 YEAR OLD TWINS OUT OF THE VEHICLE I GOT BACK TO THE CAR TO TURN IT OFF AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SCENE I FOUND THE HEATED SEAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED IN SOME MANNER AND BURNED A NICE HOLE IN THE SEAT WHICH IN RETURN LIT MY JACKET ON FIRE. I WILL GET IT INTO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE FUSE TAKEN OUT AND MAKE THE HEATED SEATS INOPERABLE NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES.
NHTSA complaint #10662961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS IN MY 2007 MERCEDES GL450 AND HAD DRIVEN APPROX. 2 MILES WITH MY FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON. I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE SMELL AND SUDDENLY THE CABIN WAS STARTING TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF MY FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WAS ON FIRE. SNOW WAS ON THE GROUND SO I SCOOPED UP SNOW TO PACK IN THE FIRE/HOT SPOT WHICH HAD BURNED A LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE VINYL AND INSIDE PADDING MATERIAL. I LATER NOTICED THAT MY JACKET HAD BURN MARKS AND A HOLE IN THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE POINT OF THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10658757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.