Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2012 Mercedes Benz GL550 with NHTSA between 2016 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 42
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz GL550. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
50% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2012 compares with every other Mercedes Benz GL550
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Mercedes Benz GL550
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
650.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 53,500 mi
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Wheels
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 63,000 mi
Lights
18.3%
Median failure at 61,000 miles
Body & Structure
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 63,000 mi
Brakes
18.3%
Electrical System
18.3%
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.
May 2016peak 3Jan 2025
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 63,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash2 injured
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. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FINGERS CAUSED BY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE INJURY BY LEG AIR BAD HITTING THE SWITCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT SCENE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. AROUND 8:05 AM I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I WAS ON BRIDGE NEAR THE FIRE STATION, I SAW SILVER CAR CAME IN MY LANE AND DRIVING TOWARDS ME. I CAME IN MY MIND THAT THIS CAR IS GOING TO HIT ME AND AS IT WAS COMING CLOSER AND THOUGHT CAME IN MY MIND THAT I MIGHT DIE. I MOVED SLOWLY TO RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER OF BRIDGE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE, NEXT THING I KNOW L HEAR LOUD SOUND, GAS & BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STRENGTH CAME IN ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE WALK AWAY 10-15 YARD AWAY FROM MY CAR. POLICE REPORT FILED - YES BOTH CARS DRIVER WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. HTTP://WWW.COLUMBIATRIBUNE.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/COLLISION-ON-SCOTT-BOULEVARD-SENDS-TWO-TO-HOSPITAL/ARTICLE_14347E77-9E46-5BE1-90A4-CE8467474D2F.HTML OPENED CASE WITH MERCEDES BENZ - CASE NUMBER: CA767053
NHTSA complaint #10863167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash2 injured
WHEELS
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. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FINGERS CAUSED BY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE INJURY BY LEG AIR BAD HITTING THE SWITCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT SCENE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. AROUND 8:05 AM I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I WAS ON BRIDGE NEAR THE FIRE STATION, I SAW SILVER CAR CAME IN MY LANE AND DRIVING TOWARDS ME. I CAME IN MY MIND THAT THIS CAR IS GOING TO HIT ME AND AS IT WAS COMING CLOSER AND THOUGHT CAME IN MY MIND THAT I MIGHT DIE. I MOVED SLOWLY TO RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER OF BRIDGE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE, NEXT THING I KNOW L HEAR LOUD SOUND, GAS & BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STRENGTH CAME IN ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE WALK AWAY 10-15 YARD AWAY FROM MY CAR. POLICE REPORT FILED - YES BOTH CARS DRIVER WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. HTTP://WWW.COLUMBIATRIBUNE.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/COLLISION-ON-SCOTT-BOULEVARD-SENDS-TWO-TO-HOSPITAL/ARTICLE_14347E77-9E46-5BE1-90A4-CE8467474D2F.HTML OPENED CASE WITH MERCEDES BENZ - CASE NUMBER: CA767053
NHTSA complaint #10863167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
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. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FINGERS CAUSED BY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE INJURY BY LEG AIR BAD HITTING THE SWITCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT SCENE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. AROUND 8:05 AM I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I WAS ON BRIDGE NEAR THE FIRE STATION, I SAW SILVER CAR CAME IN MY LANE AND DRIVING TOWARDS ME. I CAME IN MY MIND THAT THIS CAR IS GOING TO HIT ME AND AS IT WAS COMING CLOSER AND THOUGHT CAME IN MY MIND THAT I MIGHT DIE. I MOVED SLOWLY TO RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER OF BRIDGE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE, NEXT THING I KNOW L HEAR LOUD SOUND, GAS & BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STRENGTH CAME IN ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE WALK AWAY 10-15 YARD AWAY FROM MY CAR. POLICE REPORT FILED - YES BOTH CARS DRIVER WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. HTTP://WWW.COLUMBIATRIBUNE.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/COLLISION-ON-SCOTT-BOULEVARD-SENDS-TWO-TO-HOSPITAL/ARTICLE_14347E77-9E46-5BE1-90A4-CE8467474D2F.HTML OPENED CASE WITH MERCEDES BENZ - CASE NUMBER: CA767053
NHTSA complaint #10863167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Laurel, MS
AIR BAGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA
SERVICE 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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vail, AZ
AIR BAGS
THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ON OUR MERCEDEZ FOR OVER 3 YEARS NOW. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESELL IT DUE TO THE RECALL, VALUATION HAS DECREASED AS WELL DUE TO THE REPAIR NOT BEING PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER? IT CLEARLY WAS NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11204392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesProspect, KY
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: CONTACTED THE COMPANY STILL NO WORD ON REPLACEMENT OF AIRBAG
NHTSA complaint #11053760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ramona, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL -THE RECALL WAS OVER 1 YEAR AGO AND STILL DEALER SAYS THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS YET
NHTSA complaint #11044287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duxbury, MA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10969721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesWaterville, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TL* 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*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10969294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash2 injured
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. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FINGERS CAUSED BY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE INJURY BY LEG AIR BAD HITTING THE SWITCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT SCENE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. AROUND 8:05 AM I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I WAS ON BRIDGE NEAR THE FIRE STATION, I SAW SILVER CAR CAME IN MY LANE AND DRIVING TOWARDS ME. I CAME IN MY MIND THAT THIS CAR IS GOING TO HIT ME AND AS IT WAS COMING CLOSER AND THOUGHT CAME IN MY MIND THAT I MIGHT DIE. I MOVED SLOWLY TO RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER OF BRIDGE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE, NEXT THING I KNOW L HEAR LOUD SOUND, GAS & BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STRENGTH CAME IN ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE WALK AWAY 10-15 YARD AWAY FROM MY CAR. POLICE REPORT FILED - YES BOTH CARS DRIVER WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. HTTP://WWW.COLUMBIATRIBUNE.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/COLLISION-ON-SCOTT-BOULEVARD-SENDS-TWO-TO-HOSPITAL/ARTICLE_14347E77-9E46-5BE1-90A4-CE8467474D2F.HTML OPENED CASE WITH MERCEDES BENZ - CASE NUMBER: CA767053
NHTSA complaint #10863167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash2 injured
WHEELS
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. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FINGERS CAUSED BY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE INJURY BY LEG AIR BAD HITTING THE SWITCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT SCENE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. AROUND 8:05 AM I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I WAS ON BRIDGE NEAR THE FIRE STATION, I SAW SILVER CAR CAME IN MY LANE AND DRIVING TOWARDS ME. I CAME IN MY MIND THAT THIS CAR IS GOING TO HIT ME AND AS IT WAS COMING CLOSER AND THOUGHT CAME IN MY MIND THAT I MIGHT DIE. I MOVED SLOWLY TO RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER OF BRIDGE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE, NEXT THING I KNOW L HEAR LOUD SOUND, GAS & BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STRENGTH CAME IN ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE WALK AWAY 10-15 YARD AWAY FROM MY CAR. POLICE REPORT FILED - YES BOTH CARS DRIVER WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. HTTP://WWW.COLUMBIATRIBUNE.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/COLLISION-ON-SCOTT-BOULEVARD-SENDS-TWO-TO-HOSPITAL/ARTICLE_14347E77-9E46-5BE1-90A4-CE8467474D2F.HTML OPENED CASE WITH MERCEDES BENZ - CASE NUMBER: CA767053
NHTSA complaint #10863167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
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. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FINGERS CAUSED BY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE INJURY BY LEG AIR BAD HITTING THE SWITCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT SCENE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. AROUND 8:05 AM I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I WAS ON BRIDGE NEAR THE FIRE STATION, I SAW SILVER CAR CAME IN MY LANE AND DRIVING TOWARDS ME. I CAME IN MY MIND THAT THIS CAR IS GOING TO HIT ME AND AS IT WAS COMING CLOSER AND THOUGHT CAME IN MY MIND THAT I MIGHT DIE. I MOVED SLOWLY TO RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER OF BRIDGE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE, NEXT THING I KNOW L HEAR LOUD SOUND, GAS & BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STRENGTH CAME IN ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE WALK AWAY 10-15 YARD AWAY FROM MY CAR. POLICE REPORT FILED - YES BOTH CARS DRIVER WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. HTTP://WWW.COLUMBIATRIBUNE.COM/NEWS/LOCAL/COLLISION-ON-SCOTT-BOULEVARD-SENDS-TWO-TO-HOSPITAL/ARTICLE_14347E77-9E46-5BE1-90A4-CE8467474D2F.HTML OPENED CASE WITH MERCEDES BENZ - CASE NUMBER: CA767053
NHTSA complaint #10863167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.