Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 reliable?

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 has 64 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (34 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (9 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

No recalls have been issued for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 gets 15 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3200. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 is approximately $1,921/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 has 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 48. The most common issue is air bags problems (53% of all complaints), specifically: we were south bound on us131 and was struck in the drivers door. entire drivers side of the vehicle has damage from front bumper to rear wheel. none of the air bags deployed and the computer has a stored code for both drivers side doors. i have contacted mercedes and they contend that the air bags p. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 5 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

34 complaints

53%

• WE WERE SOUTH BOUND ON US131 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS DAMAGE FROM FRONT BUMPER TO REAR WHEEL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE COMPUTER HAS A STORED CODE FOR BOTH DRIVERS SIDE DOORS. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY CONTEND THAT THE AIR BAGS P
• I BOUGHT A MERCEDES GL450 ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF EVER SINCE I GOT IT, ALSO THE REASON I PURSHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I'VE HEARD GOOD THINGS FROM MERCEDES " THAT IT'S SAFE AND A RELIABLE VEHICLE" . SO I THOUGHT AND I WOULD'VE NEVER IMAGINE THIS VEHICLE PUT ME MY FAMILY AND I AT RIS
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“WE WERE SOUTH BOUND ON US131 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS DAMAGE FROM FRONT BUMPER TO REAR WHEEL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE COMPUTER HAS A STORED CODE FOR BOTH DRIVERS SIDE DOORS. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY CONTEND THAT THE AIR BAGS P”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Based on 22 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 73K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 80K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$3,201

Per month

$267

Per mile

26.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,693/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,667/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

Show:

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 2011 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

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 2011 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

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 64 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: WE WERE SOUTH BOUND ON US131 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS DAMAGE FROM FRONT BUMPER TO REAR WHEEL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE COMPUTER HAS A STORED CODE FOR BOTH DRIVERS SIDE DOORS. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY CONTEND THAT THE AIR BAGS P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: FRONT END NOISE. BROUGHT TO DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RIGHT STRUT. 2 MONTHS LATER SAME NOISE ON LEFT SIDE. DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT STRUT. AWAITING RESULTS. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I BOUGHT A MERCEDES GL450 ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF EVER SINCE I GOT IT, ALSO THE REASON I PURSHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I'VE HEARD GOOD THINGS FROM MERCEDES " THAT IT'S SAFE AND A RELIABLE VEHICLE" . SO I THOUGHT AND I WOULD'VE NEVER IMAGINE THIS VEHICLE PUT ME MY FAMILY AND I AT RIS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO ME AS A CPO VEHICLE FROM MERCEDES BENZ OF GREENWICH WITH 32K MILES IN 2014. SINCE OWNERSHIP ALL AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED EXCEPT THE RECALLED TAKATA STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG. THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS, REAR AIRBAGS ETC. ARE NOW ON THE SECOND REPLACEMENT. THE COMPUTER FAIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)