Mercedes-Benz GL450 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mercedes-Benz GL450 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2017 drew the fewest (1) and the 2007 the most (115).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 2 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
13 | 5 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
15 | 3 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2015 | 18 | 3 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | 21 | 3 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 | 37 | 3 | Engine | — | — |
| 2010 | 42 | 3 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2012 | 47 | 3 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
55 | 2 | Steering | — | — |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
55 | 3 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
115 | 2 | Seats | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mercedes-Benz GL450 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450: 115 complaints
Most-reported: Seats 39 (34%); Electrical system 27 (23%); Power train 17 (15%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 33 fires, 14 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450: 55 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 34 (62%); Suspension 9 (16%); Service brakes 6 (11%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450: 55 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 21 (38%); Suspension 15 (27%); Service brakes 7 (13%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Mercedes-Benz GL450 years with the fewest complaints
2017 Mercedes-Benz GL450: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 1 (100%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Seats 3 (23%); Engine 2 (15%); Latches/locks/linkages 1 (8%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Mercedes-Benz GL450: 15 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 8 (53%); Service brakes 3 (20%); Suspension 3 (20%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mercedes-Benz GL450 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 52,015 |
| 2014 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57,000 |
| 2013 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 24,000 |
| 2012 | 47 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2011 | 55 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 79,000 |
| 2010 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 94,275 |
| 2009 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 55 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 68,000 |
| 2007 | 115 | 5 | 33 | 14 | 0 | 80,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mercedes-Benz GL450 recalls
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2009–2012 model years; 711,159 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2016; 16V081000)
- Brake Booster Corrosion May Impair Braking (2007–2012 model years; 350,294 vehicles across all models; filed May 2022; 22V315000)
- Possible Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist (2016–2017 model years; 58,323 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2017; 17V241000)
- Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency Services (2013–2016 model years; 24,226 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2019; 19V787000)
- Brake Booster Corrosion May Impair Braking (2007–2012 model years; 15,604 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2024; 24V298000)
All 11 Mercedes-Benz GL450 recall campaigns · Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mercedes-Benz GL450 years FAQ
Which Mercedes-Benz GL450 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2017 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mercedes-Benz GL450 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2011 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz GL450 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (96 of 419 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz GL450 have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns covering the Mercedes-Benz GL450. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mercedes-Benz GL450 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.