2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Do not drive

Owners filed 115 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seats. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

101 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seats27
0219
Electrical System18
061
Power Train12
101
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler7
042
Suspension6
101
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
200
Steering4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling4
000
Vehicle Speed Control3
000
Suspension › Front3
010

2 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler
Filed Feb 3, 2025190,000 milesUT

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, he felt a sharp pinch coming from the driver’s side seat. Upon further inspection, the contact’s husband noticed an abnormal hole with smoke coming from the driver’s side seat. There was no visible fire present. No medical attention was sought. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Structure
Filed Nov 7, 2024GA

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the SRS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the air suspension strut failures, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had sustained severe water damage. The dealer informed the contact that the water had leaked from the sunroof through the headliner and onto the floor. The dealer informed the contact the water leak had caused mold on the headliner, and mold and corrosion on the floor, where the battery and electrical wires were located. The dealer informed the contact that the water entry had caused electrical failures, causing the driver's side and passenger's side third-row windows and the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 22, 2024FL

Blinkers and horn stopped working windshield wipers coming on without being turned on it’s saying drive to workshop without shifting gears and won’t start in the middle of the highway

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Sep 8, 2023187,000 milesAL

The contact owned a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle had been inspected but the brake booster was not replaced. The contact then stated that approximately eight months later, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was informed that he would be in contact however, had not received a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

Seats1 injured
Filed Jun 21, 202359,050 milesCA

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH in the rain, there was an abnormal smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then started filling up with smoke. The contact checked and became aware that the back of the front driver's seat was on fire. The contact was able to pull over and extinguish the fire with his hand. The contact sustained a little burn to his hand, but medical attention was not sought. The Fire Department was not contacted. Neither a Police nor Fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 59,050.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 12, 2022CA

The steering wheel airbag spontaneously deployed with no prior warning sensors activated or collision (moments after pulling into driveway at home). Mercedes Benz refuses to take any responsibility, or at least inspect and replace the steering wheel and airbag. Driver's arm was partially injured due to deployment, not severe. However the concern remains of whether this could have deployed while driving, causing critical injuries. Should we worry about the remaining airbags spontaneously deploying?

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Oct 17, 2022130,000 milesAL

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer replaced the transmission control module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated that their vehicle still has not been repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer have a remedy to fix the vehicle or accommodate him.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 2022MN

Was driving my vehicle on the freeway and pulled off on and exit ramp. Brake pedal went to floor with very little braking had to pump the brake pedal to regain control. Brakes felt soft. Returned home by pumping brakes. No warning lights, Next day bled brakes and replaced brake fluid. Function restored but no cause could be identified for the air in the brake lines. Very disturbing and unsafe. Sounds very much like 22V315000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 30, 2022MI

In the past several weeks, whenever I press on the brake pedal firmly at a stoplight or even on the highway, the "low brake light" alarm on the vehicle turns on. I went and checked the brake fluid level, but it is normal. It also seems to take longer to brake the car than before. I'm not sure if it is related to the recent recall or not.

Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2021153,000 milesCA

The GL450 has the balance shaft problem .It skipped timing and caused major engine failure.. This problem is prevalent for the M273 engine. The parts wear prematurely. The timing is affected and the 4 cam power train misaligns. The engine quits and the repair is usually over 4000.00. It produces 1208 1200 codes along with misfire codes. I feel Mercedes Benz Corp is responsible and has liability for the loss. Thank You. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Seats
Filed Nov 18, 202096,382 milesTX

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2020, I TURNED MY DRIVER SEAT HEATER AND SUDDENLY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES DRIVING I DECIDED TO TURN OF THE HEATER, THE BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK WAS INTENSE. ONCE I PARKED, I NOTICED A HOLE IN MY SEAT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER! I CHECKED MY CLOTHING AND NOTICED IT MELTED THE ELASTIC PART AT THE BOTTOM MY JACKET.

Power Train
Filed Nov 13, 2020135,000 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT AND I COULD ONLY GO 40 MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD I STEPPED ON THE GAS. I HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT TEN MINUTES AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. AGAIN THIS WEEK IT ALSO HAPPENED.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 3, 2020GA

RAIN LEAKED IN THROUGH THE BACK CAUSING THE REAR SAM TO BE FILLED WITH WATER. THIS CAUSED ALL OF MY TAILLIGHTS TO GO OUT. I SAW A RECALL FOR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR AS MINE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE GL 450 THAT I CAN FIND. I CALLED MERCEDES WHICH YIELDED NOTHING.THEY TOLD ME THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC, NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. I GUESS MY VIN WASN'T CHOSED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE ONES THEY RECALLED IN 2009. THIS IS A NEW SAM. IT WAS REPLACED BY US WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED.

Power Train
Filed May 21, 2020142,000 milesPA

MY CAR BATTERY DIED, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMPED MY CAR, MECHANIC REPLACED MY BATTERIES. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT THEN A MESSAGE CAME UP IN MY DASHBOARD IN RED SAYING TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE WORKSHOP WITHOUT SHIFTING GEARS; AFTER THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR AND DID SOME RESEARCH HE FOUND THAT THE INTELLIGENT SERVO MODULE WAS BAD; THE CARD WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE SHOP. *TR

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Nov 15, 201983,000 milesDC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND HER COAT. AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS BETHESDA (7020 ARLINGTON RD, BETHESDA, MD 20814, (301) 986-8800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 19, 2019190,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. IN ADDITION, THE ESP AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER .THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ORLANDO AT 407-374-0033 (LOCATED AT 4301 MILLENIA BLVD, ORLANDO, FL 32839) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 8, 2019130,000 milesTX

HEATING ELEMENT IN DRIVERS SIDE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. WILL ONLY COVER 25% OF A 1400$ REPAIR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE SEAT.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 23, 2018168,000 milesGA

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT IDLE (STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT) AND WHEN TRAVELING 70+MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE EVENT HAPPENS VERY FAST AND THE ENGINE RESTARTS WITHIN 30SEC. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE BUT ALL SYSTEMS CONTINUE WORKING (AC, RADIO, ETC). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NEITHER ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN VERY SCARY AND MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 18, 2018153,000 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUT-OFF WITH NO WARNINGS WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING ALL THE INTERNAL ELECTRONICS (E.G. NAVIGATION, DASHBOARD). AFTER 1 SECOND, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ALL BY ITSELF. THE CLOCK INSIDE THE VEHICLE KEPT ON CIRCLING BACK AND FORTH AS IF SOME LIGHTNING HIT IT OR SOMETHING, AND IT WAS VERY SCARY, SINCE THERE WERE MANY CARS ON THE FREEWAY.

Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2018117,000 milesCA

THE FOLLOWING CONDITION APPEARED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. (I PUT A DATE OF 1/1/18, IN THE BOX BELOW, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN, AND I FIND IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE). AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT TO BY ITSELF INTO 1ST GEAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. EVEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS RPMS WILL SUDDENLY JUMP UP TO "RED-LINE" LIMITS AS THE DOWNSHIFT OCCURS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ENGINE MUST BE TURN OFF AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE FOLLOWING OR IN ADJACENT LANES TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ALSO, AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, VEHICLE RPMS DROP SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. TRANSMISSION BASICALLY DISENGAGES AND WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE EVEN WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. EQUALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION - ESPECIALLY WHEN DECELERATING ON FREEWAY OFF-RAMPS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED (ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE), AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER (BOUGHT NEW IN LATE 2006). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 117,500 MILES AS OF FEBRUARY 2018. WHAT ALARMS ME THE MOST IS THAT I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE REPORT EXACTLY THE SAME DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. EVEN MY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS SAYS ITS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I SAY IT'S A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I SH

20 of 115 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20171210Routine
201613510Routine
201518320Routine
201421300Routine
201337310Routine
201246300Do not drive
201155320Do not drive
201042310Do not drive
200915300Do not drive
200854210Do not drive
2007 — this page1152330Do not drive

Compare every GL450 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.