2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350

Routine

Owners filed 4 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Exterior Lighting1
000
Electrical System1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Communication19V787000
Filed Nov 1, 201924,226 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Suspension › Front18V272000
Filed Apr 27, 20189,725 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.

Risk. The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System17V241000
Filed Apr 11, 201758,323 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, E400 4Matic Coupe, GL63 AMG, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic and GLE63S AMG Coupe 4Matic vehicles, 2017 E300 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles, and 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic BlueTec, GL450 4Matic, and GL550 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.

Risk. If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing the rack as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification16V903000
Filed Dec 15, 201647,799 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic Bluetec, GL550 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe, GLE450 4Matic, 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, and 2017 GLS63 AMG vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, to May 10, 2016. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration may be incorrect, and as a result, the system can incorrectly classify the occupant as a child seat, deactivating the front passenger air bag.

Risk. If the front passenger air bag does not deploy as necessary in the event of a crash, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 24, 2023WA

Spontaneously exploding panoramic sunroof: I was driving northbound on I-5 in Everett, WA, on 27 January 2023 around 7pm. It was clear, the road was dry, it was around 45 degrees, and there was medium traffic. We were going about 65mph. Just myself and my 4 year old daughter were in the car. With no warning and no visible reason there was a gunshot-like sound and then wind (and a crying daughter). I figured out that it was the rear panel of our two-panel sunroof and glass was sprinkling down. Luckily the sunshade roller was holding much of it. We pulled over and checked it out and that is it. Nobody was injured, but there was glass all over my daughter and in her car seat. facts: -2016 GL350 Mercedes; 59500 miles, excellent shape, two-panel panoramic sunroof (front sliding; rear fixed in place) -I have a Packasport 90 rooftop box on low profile Whispbars that covers the entire sunroof with only about a 1.5" gap over the rear glass panel -the box has been on the roof for at least 3 years and the sunroof has not been operated in that time -there have been no modifications to the car besides the rooftop box -it is very, very, very unlikely that a rock could've hit it (although the dealer and insurance don't really want to hear this) -the temperature was normal for January -the highway was smooth and clean and dry -the glass was cratered upward after breaking (may not mean anything) -I was not following a dump truck or a logging truck -I didn't see or hear any rocks or debris in

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 6, 2018TX

THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING ON THE VEHICLE PROVIDED IS SIGNIFICANTLY INFERIOR IN INTENSITY AND DISTANCE ILLUMINATED. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE AN OBJECT AFTER FEW FEET AND NIGHT DRIVING BECOMES EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AT NIGHT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE PASSING CARS OR PEOPLE AND FOLLOWING IS THE REPORT FROM IIHS ON THE ILLUMINATION RESULTS, WHICH WERE TESTED TO BE POOR. HTTP://WWW.IIHS.ORG/IIHS/RATINGS/VEHICLE/V/MERCEDES-BENZ/GLE-CLASS-4-DOOR-SUV/2018 I CONTACTED THE MB USA OFFICE AND THE INFORMED ME THIS IS AS PER DESIGN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I SINCERELY RECOMMEND NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND CONDUCT SOME INVESTIGATION INTO IT. THIS WILL PREVENT ANY FATALITY OR SERIOUS CRASH. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 4, 201716,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EDHICKS MERCEDES (3102 S PADRE ISLAND DR, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. CONSUMER STATED HE HAD BRAKED HARD AND HIS WIFE WAS THROWN AGAINST THE DASHBOARD, BOTH WERE WEARING THEIR SEABELTS. VIN INVALID UPDATED 9/13/18*JB

Electrical System
Filed Nov 8, 201730,000 milesMI

ON SEPTEMBER 6 2017 MY MERCEDES CLUSTER PANAL (ODEMETER) STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. WHICH THEN I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE ODOMETER WHICH THEN FAILED AGAIN HOURS AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR. AFTER REPLACING IT 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY AIN'T ADDRESSING THE ISSUE PROPERLY AND HAS STOPPED CALLING ME BACK REGARDING THIS MATTER. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF A CAR SINCE SEPTEMBER 6,2017 TILL TODAY WITH NO LOANER VEHICLE FROM MERCEDES. I WAS FORCED TO RENT A CAR UNDER MY OWN EXPENSE WHILE STILL MAKING THE LEASE PAYMENTS ON THE MERCEDES THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE I'M NOT ABLE TO KNOW SPEED, GAS, GEAR I'M IN ETC..

4 of 4 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2011
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20171200Routine
2016 — this page4400Routine
20157300Routine
20146300Routine
20137310Routine
201222310Do not drive
201123300Do not drive
201016200Do not drive
20091100Do not drive

Compare every GL350 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Nov 1, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.