2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350 has 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: 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.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

9 complaints

36%

• 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
• 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
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

6 complaints

24%

• OWN 2 MERCEDES GL350 AND E350. BOTH OF THEM ARE V6 DIESEL BLUETEC ENGINES AND BOTH HAVE LEAKING PROBLEM FROM OIL COOLER.
• HELLO. MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED TWO SEVERELY ELONGATED TIMING CHAINS IN 30,000 MILES OF DRIVING. TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE ARE 114,000, AND THE VEHICLE IS A 2011. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILS DURING DRIVING, IT WILL CAUSE AN ENGINE STALL, AND MAY POTENTIALLY CAUSE SEIZURE OF
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“OWN 2 MERCEDES GL350 AND E350. BOTH OF THEM ARE V6 DIESEL BLUETEC ENGINES AND BOTH HAVE LEAKING PROBLEM FROM OIL COOLER.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

4 complaints

16%

• 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. T
• 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 rea
• - 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 ou

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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. T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

• 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.
• 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 present

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

1 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER THE STEERING SYSTEM COLUMN WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILURE LATER RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER THE STEERING SYSTEM COLUMN WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILURE LATER RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 25 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: OWN 2 MERCEDES GL350 AND E350. BOTH OF THEM ARE V6 DIESEL BLUETEC ENGINES AND BOTH HAVE LEAKING PROBLEM FROM OIL COOLER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 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. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)