BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 48. The most common issue is air bags problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2010 mercedes benz gl450. the contact stated that the driver's side head-rest air bag inadvertently deployed while driving 65 mph. the contact was not involved in a crash. there were no injuries. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that there was a shor. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report 1 injury

48

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

21 complaints
44%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD-REST AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SHOR
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. 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. T
  • TAKATA RECALL, RECALL IS TAKING TO LONG AND MB SAYS THERE IS NO SOLUTION YET. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR. MB SHOULD HAVE TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE FOR A UNRESOLVED SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD-REST AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SHOR

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 77K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
0
30-60K
4
60-100K
11
100-150K
7
150-200K
3
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 110K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

BRAKES

Later than typicalmedian 135K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
3
150-200K
1
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Live EIA prices
Per year
$3,429
Per month
$286
Per mile
28.6¢
MPG
14
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,693/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,824/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,921
Full coverage / month
$160
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+15%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1921

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz GL450 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 155K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
4 yr / 50K mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2010 GL450, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD-REST AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SHOR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE THE CONTACT'S BROTHER WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE DROVE UPHILL AND BECAME AIRBORNE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SUSPENSION: MY CAR WAS VERY LOW WHEN I SAW IT IN MY PARKING LOT AND IT WAS THE SUSPENSION,AND THE THINK IS THAT I ALREADY SAW A LOT OF MERCEDES BENZ WITH BAD SUSPENSION I ALREADY FIX MY CAR 2 TIMES. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATING THAT THE LEFT REAR TAILGATE ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WEEKS LATER, THE RIGHT REAR TAI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
48
Recalls
0
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
48

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450