11 of the
64 complaints about the 2020 Mercedes Benz GLS 450 are about the
driver-assist systems — 17% of everything
reported for this model year.
F
11
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Warnings
327.3%
Adaptive Cruise Control
327.3%
Automatic Emergency Braking
327.3%
Camera
19.1%
Warnings
19.1%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Hurricane, WV
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On a sunny afternoon without zero clouds in the sky, 75 degrees I was driving at 35 mph on a two-lane road with no cars in front of me, behind me, or coming in the other direction, the brakes were urgently and automatically applied and the seat belts dramatically tightened. The system showed a large red X on the screen. It was obvious the automated safety system mistakenly thought we were about to crash into something but there wasn't anything but smooth asphalt.
NHTSA complaint #11726166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, MD
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle (2020 GLS 450) suffers from terminal infrastructure "Electronic Rot," resulting in a consistent Breach of FMVSS 111 (Rearview Visibility) and dangerous Automatic Emergency Braking hallucinations. On 03/08/2026, a routine car wash triggered multiple system failures, including "Camera View Restricted" and "Adaptive Highbeam Assist Currently Unavailable," proving the electrical architecture is compromised by minor moisture. This is a multi-dealer failure: the vehicle was sold as "Certified Pre-Owned" by Mercedes-Benz of Fredericksburg with undisclosed active "Special Procurement" status; a 200-day attempted EIS remediation at i.g. Burton failed to resolve the hazards; and the regular service center, Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis, has failed to remediate the ongoing "Electronic Rot." All parties are currently withholding machine-level XENTRY diagnostic sequences required to verify the vehicle's safety status.
NHTSA complaint #11723015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, MD
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The vehicle (2020 GLS 450) suffers from terminal infrastructure "Electronic Rot," resulting in a consistent Breach of FMVSS 111 (Rearview Visibility) and dangerous Automatic Emergency Braking hallucinations. On 03/08/2026, a routine car wash triggered multiple system failures, including "Camera View Restricted" and "Adaptive Highbeam Assist Currently Unavailable," proving the electrical architecture is compromised by minor moisture. This is a multi-dealer failure: the vehicle was sold as "Certified Pre-Owned" by Mercedes-Benz of Fredericksburg with undisclosed active "Special Procurement" status; a 200-day attempted EIS remediation at i.g. Burton failed to resolve the hazards; and the regular service center, Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis, has failed to remediate the ongoing "Electronic Rot." All parties are currently withholding machine-level XENTRY diagnostic sequences required to verify the vehicle's safety status.
NHTSA complaint #11723015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Esopus, NY
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The adaptive cruise control feature of this vehicle on various highways [XXX] , [XXX] and the [XXX] ) and in various locations while traveling at highway speeds has mis-read speed limit signs and aggressively decelerated(I assume by using its regenerative braking) to as low as 35mph while traffic is moving at 65+mph. The dealership was unable to duplicate this issue. No faults are displayed to the driver. I do not know if rear brake lights are illuminated when this occurs. This is an aggressive and scary deceleration with no warning. I fear a rear end collision is likely. No one aside from the dealership has inspected this vehicle INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11614077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MI
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
We intermittently experience phantom braking, including on the highway with no objects or vehicles ahead of us (for example, not on a curve, no vehicle visible within half a kilometer). Vehicle abruptly slows. This includes when in a lane (no lane change). It also can occur during a properly indicated lane change. It occurs when we are driving the posted limit. It also occurs when there are no parallel nearby roads. This appears to be a significant safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11609189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SC
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I have received multiple notifications over several months that read "Camera view restricted". This impacts the collision avoidance and adaptive highbeam assist functions. Dealer has offered no service recommendations.
NHTSA complaint #11600969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SC
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I have received multiple notifications over several months that read "Camera view restricted". This impacts the collision avoidance and adaptive highbeam assist functions. Dealer has offered no service recommendations.
NHTSA complaint #11600969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have received multiple notifications over several months that read "Camera view restricted". This impacts the collision avoidance and adaptive highbeam assist functions. Dealer has offered no service recommendations.
NHTSA complaint #11600969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Today around 6:47pm. I was reversing my car and I noticed another car in my backup camera and tried shift the gear shift to drive but it didn't work and stayed stuck on reverse and would not moved and the brake pedal and emergency brake wouldn't work.
NHTSA complaint #11587350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TXCrash
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Today around 6:47pm. I was reversing my car and I noticed another car in my backup camera and tried shift the gear shift to drive but it didn't work and stayed stuck on reverse and would not moved and the brake pedal and emergency brake wouldn't work.
NHTSA complaint #11587350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
03/17/2023 driving on US1 coming up to speed after pulling onto highway after cars passed I went 0.2 miles and was looking at my driver side mirror ( no traffic on road ahead of me) when I hit something that pushed my big SUV toward oncoming traffic. I held wheel and muscled car to side of road stopping short of a telephone pole. Car was upright I had trouble loosening seat belt while my wife was hanging forward into hers. Dog harnessed in back seat was ok Got out of car to see a car hauler 30? Footer sticking about 4 feet into the road and travel lane. Investigation by police revealed truck driver backed out of a company driveway into the road with no people helping. With traffic totaled right front tearing wheel off. No air bags deployed, I do not believe accident avoidance nor auto braking employed, MB safety and accident location didn’t activate and not sure passenger seat belt pre tightened. Police report Saco Maine 23-113-AC . MBUSA notified. Car held for them to examine. 4 weeks later have heard nothing other than “ we’re working on it”police and Insurance found 0 fault for me. Car totaled for repair cost
NHTSA complaint #11524751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.