2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350

Do not drive

Owners filed 23 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags9
000
Engine6
000
Service Brakes3
000
Suspension2
000
Steering1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000
Seat Belts1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum24V298000Do not drive
Filed Apr 26, 202415,604 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum22V315000Do not drive
Filed May 9, 2022350,294 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V081000
Filed Feb 11, 2016711,159 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2025TX

- The hard brake lines from the going to the rear axle ruptured during light braking. The corroded sections have been removed and are available. - I had no indication of a problem until I went to stop the vehicle. I was able to slow the vehicle down but could not keep it from moving forward with out being in neutral. Had there been another car in front of me or in traffic, I would not of been able to stop. - The problem cannot be reproduced by a dealer, since the corroded and ruptured section of the lines had to be replaced. There has been no inspection of the issue since no accident occurred. - No warning lamps or any indication of a problem until the brake pedal was applied. Pedal was firm then suddenly went to the floor (repeatedly). Only until all the fluid drained from the reservoir did the "brake" light come on.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 12, 2024NC

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2023TX

Brakes pipe lines

Engine
Filed Mar 20, 202360,001 milesPA

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated that the dealer had previously serviced the vehicle under an unknown diesel emission recall; however, the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the ignition switch was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer determined that the engine compartment fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,001.

Suspension
Filed Jul 19, 2022NC

Malfunction with the air suspension. The vehicle is currently lowered and will not rise which is causing the tires to sit in a bent position and a horrible ride. The tires appear that they will detach from vehicle which is a safety risk for myself and others. After repairs from someone who presented themselves as a certified Mercedes’ mechanic, the issues still exist. The problems first existed about a year and a half ago, about 6 months after purchasing. I am making payments on a vehicle I am unable to safely drive or use for travel with my family. This should be a recall due to several vehicles jus in my area with same issues.

Service Brakes
Filed May 16, 2022129,748 milesPA

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard. The contact then pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. However, there was 20-foot stopping distance delay. The warning message "Brake Fluid Low" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed a trail of brake fluid on the ground. The contact was able to refill the brake fluid reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake fit knots, the brake fitting union, and brake fluid line were repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 129,748.

Engine
Filed Jan 4, 2022130,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 3, 2021117,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but failed to respond, causing the vehicle to decelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the exhaust valve pressure sensor and catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the failure was related to an unknown recall that would be issued in the 4th quarter of 2021. The dealer also advised the contact to continue to drive the vehicle in the meantime. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred several times while driving and the vehicle had been jerking each time it was about to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 9, 2019OR

GOT THIS RECALL ISSUED 3 YEARS AGO,THE INFAMOUS TAKATA AIRBAG.CALLED THE DEALERS AROUND AGAIN AND AGAIN,THEY ARE SAYING NO PARTS AVAILABLE .ALWAYS THEY SAY IT S GONNA BE SOMEDAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE,NO SPECIFIC TIME OR DATES.DUE TO THE VITAL NATURE OF THIS ISSUE I CANT ACCEPT THEIR CANDOR AND LACK OF INTEREST .PLEASE CHECK AND ADVICE OF MY CONSUMER MODE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.THANK YOU

Air Bags
Filed Oct 9, 2018NJ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. RAY CATENA OF FREEHOLD MERCEDES-BENZ (4380 ROUTE 9 SOUTH, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728, 732-339-6800) STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A LOANER VEHICLE OPTION FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Jun 26, 2018VA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 24, 2018VA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF TYSONS CORNER AT 703-442-8200 (8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA 22182) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 2, 2017PA

TAKATA RECALL

Air Bags
Filed Nov 1, 2017VA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF VIRGINIA BEACH (4949 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA) 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.

Suspension
Filed Oct 26, 201779,255 milesGA

GETTING MESSAGE " MALFUNCTIONING" AND COMPRESSOR COOLING DOWN EVEN THOUGH CHANGING FRONT STRUTS AND MAKING ROARING NOISE WHEN CAR IS IDLE, AND BURNT SMELL INSIDE CAR.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 23, 2017NY

TAKATA RECALL, IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE WE'VE BEEN ADVISED OF THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION REGARDING THE RECALL AND WE DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR BUT NEED IT. THIS IS TOO LONG TO WAIT.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 10, 2017NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 20, 201792,000 milesCA

I WAS ADVISED BY MERCEDES 6 MONTHS AGO THAT MY AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE--OR PRONE TO HAZARD IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAID THERE IS NO REMEDY. I WANT THE AIRBAGS DEACTIVATED BUT MERCEDES REFUSES

Engine
Filed Jan 16, 2017LA

HAD A OIL CHANGE BY MERCEDES DEALER PARK MY TRUCK FOR A FEW WEEKS WHEN I DROVE IT I HAD A OIL LEAK. I CALL MERCEDES TO REPORT IT MERCEDES HAD IT TOW IN .THEY SAY IT WAS A OIL COOLER LEAK I ONLY HAVE 48,000 MILES DON'T DRIVE IT ALL THE TIME. DIDN'T HAVE A LEAK UNTIL THE OIL CHANGE NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT.I HAD THE TRUCK PARK IN MY GARAGE OIL WAS ON THE FLOOR IN MY GARAGE I DO HAVE PICTURES OF OIL ON THE FLOOR IN MY GARAGE AND AROUND THE ENGINE WHERE OIL IS COMING FROM.

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 16, 201632,000 milesRI

THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS BROKEN. THE MECHANISM WILL NOT RETRACT. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. THEY ONLY RESPOND TO RECALLS THAT NHTSA INITIATES. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BROKEN SEAT BELT FOR FREE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES, BECAUSE IT IS 5 YEARS OLD, THE WARRANTY WAS 50,000 OR 4 YEARS, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. WE PAID OVER $400 TO REPLACE THE SEATBELT BECAUSE THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE PICTURES AND THE ORIGINAL PART IN OUR POSSESSION. WE KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND WE HOPE YOU CAN ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU.

20 of 23 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2011
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20171200Routine
20164400Routine
20157300Routine
20146300Routine
20137310Routine
201222310Do not drive
2011 — this page23300Do not drive
201016200Do not drive
20091100Do not drive

Compare every GL350 year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 26, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.