Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2011 Mercedes Benz GL550 with NHTSA between 2016 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz GL550. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2011 compares with every other Mercedes Benz GL550
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
133.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
133.3%
150,000+ miles
133.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2016peak 4Nov 2025
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 22,000 milesRedwood City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while reversing, the brake pedal was depressed with an abnormal hissing sound coming from the brake pedal. The contact stated that the sound was audible since the vehicle was purchased in 2019. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact received a vehicle compliance letter from the manufacturer, which stated that a mobile mechanic could be sent to the residence to inspect the vehicle, and the dealer would offer tow service. However, when the dealer was contacted, the dealer refused to assist the contact with the tow service or a mobile mechanic. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle remained at the residence and had not been driven due to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
NHTSA complaint #11699386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesNovi, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked while accelerating. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no failure was found. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V496000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11521108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Intermittently car does not engage when key fob is inserted into eis (electric ignition switch) and turned. No dash lights turn on, car does not start. Car has turned off while driving. Car has remained running when key was removed. Key will lock and unlock doors and open hatch.
NHTSA complaint #11517502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reedville, VA
AIR BAGS
2011 MERCEDES BENZ GL550. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE UPON ARRIVAL TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL REPAIR TO BE COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS A 220 MILE DRIVE TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETED THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE PICKED UP AND RETURNED BY MERCEDES.
NHTSA complaint #11244664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sherborn, MA
AIR BAGS
MERCEDES HAS NOT PROVIDED A RESOLUTION TO THE RECALL FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #11209640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. DEALER SAYS MERCEDES STILL HAS NOT ISSUED PARTS, AND CAN NOT FIX IT. IT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11101420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centennial, CO
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF LITTLETON (8070 S BROADWAY, LITTLETON, CO) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11089631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesNatick, MA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS. THE ONLINE SYSTEM SAYS THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE THE CAR IN AS A TRADE AS THEY SAID THEY CANT SELL IT.
NHTSA complaint #11047315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL...WHY IS NO ONE ABLE TO HELP ME. MY AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND I KEEP GETTING TOSSED AROUND AND NO ONE IS CLAMING RESPONSIBILITY. THE REASON I PURCHASED A MERCEDES IS FOR SAFETY OF MY FAMILY OF FIVE. WHAT DO I DO TO GET THIS FIXED?
NHTSA complaint #11044640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AIRBAG RECALL, NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIME TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. GOING ON A YEAR AND STILL NO FIX OR GIVEN A TIME FRAME TO GET IT DONE.
NHTSA complaint #11042573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR IS ON THE "HIGH RISK" LIST OF CARS THAT NEED TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS REPLACED, BUT I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER TWICE AND BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD NOT TO CALL AGAIN BECAUSE THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN REPLACEMENT WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR (ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS INSIDE), I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY FATALITIES 'YET' AND IT IS OK TO KEEP DRIVING WITH THE FAULTY AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #11042814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midlothian, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (PARK PLACE MERCEDES OF ARLINGTON, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11020902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moultonboro, NH
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 06/23/17
NHTSA complaint #10970963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL IF MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS RECALL HOW COME A YEAR LATER I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS. THE RECALL STILL SHOWS NO REMEDY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AS THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND I DRIVE MY YOUNG KIDS EVERYDAY AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE. MERCEDES SHOULD BE ASHAMED. I WANT THIS MATTER FIXED ASAP. CERTAIN MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES AND ONE FCA MODEL ARE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAGS PROVIDED BY THE SUPPLIER TK HOLDINGS INC. ("TAKATA"). ON JANUARY 25, 2016 TAKATA FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT WITH NHTSA ANNOUNCING A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN SOME OF THE SUBJECT INFLATORS. BASED UPON TAKATA'S INFORMATION TO DATE, TAKATA IS AWARE OF FOUR TEST RUPTURES IN BALLISTIC TESTS OF NON-DESICCATED PSDI-5 INFLATORS. TAKATA IS NOT AWARE OF ANY FIELD INCIDENTS IN WHICH A PSDI-5 INFLATOR HAS RUPTURED, EITHER DESICCATED OR NON-DESICCATED. TAKATA IS TAKING THIS ACTION IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE SUBJECT NON-DESICCATED PSDI-5 AIR BAG INFLATORS, DUE TO THE SIMILARITIES OF DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING CHARACTERISTICS FOR THIS TYPE OF INFLATOR USED IN THE U.S. MARKET. DAG IS NOT AWARE OF ANY FIELD INCIDENTS WITH THE SUBJECT TAKATA PSDI-5 INFLATORS. HOWEVER, BASED ON THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, DAG WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUBJECT TAKATA PSDI-5 INFLATORS IN THE UNITED STATES AS IDENTIFIED BY TAKATA IN THE DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT. SAFETY RISK: ACCORDING TO TAKATA, IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATORRUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULTING INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. REMEDY: ONCE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE CUSTOMERS WILL BE SENT A LETTER ASKING THEM TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WHO WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES RECALL STATUS: INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE
NHTSA complaint #10948947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL IF MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS RECALL HOW COME A YEAR LATER I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS. THE RECALL STILL SHOWS NO REMEDY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AS THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND I DRIVE MY YOUNG KIDS EVERYDAY AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE. MERCEDES SHOULD BE ASHAMED. I WANT THIS MATTER FIXED ASAP. CERTAIN MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES AND ONE FCA MODEL ARE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAGS PROVIDED BY THE SUPPLIER TK HOLDINGS INC. ("TAKATA"). ON JANUARY 25, 2016 TAKATA FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT WITH NHTSA ANNOUNCING A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN SOME OF THE SUBJECT INFLATORS. BASED UPON TAKATA'S INFORMATION TO DATE, TAKATA IS AWARE OF FOUR TEST RUPTURES IN BALLISTIC TESTS OF NON-DESICCATED PSDI-5 INFLATORS. TAKATA IS NOT AWARE OF ANY FIELD INCIDENTS IN WHICH A PSDI-5 INFLATOR HAS RUPTURED, EITHER DESICCATED OR NON-DESICCATED. TAKATA IS TAKING THIS ACTION IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE SUBJECT NON-DESICCATED PSDI-5 AIR BAG INFLATORS, DUE TO THE SIMILARITIES OF DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING CHARACTERISTICS FOR THIS TYPE OF INFLATOR USED IN THE U.S. MARKET. DAG IS NOT AWARE OF ANY FIELD INCIDENTS WITH THE SUBJECT TAKATA PSDI-5 INFLATORS. HOWEVER, BASED ON THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, DAG WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUBJECT TAKATA PSDI-5 INFLATORS IN THE UNITED STATES AS IDENTIFIED BY TAKATA IN THE DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT. SAFETY RISK: ACCORDING TO TAKATA, IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATORRUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULTING INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. REMEDY: ONCE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE CUSTOMERS WILL BE SENT A LETTER ASKING THEM TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WHO WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES RECALL STATUS: INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE
NHTSA complaint #10948947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - MERCEDES STILL DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS RECALL, WHICH WAS ISSUED IN MAY.
NHTSA complaint #10918072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.