Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 reliable?

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 has 15 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

Top problems: OTHER (5 complaints, avg repair $500); SEATS/RESTRAINTS (3 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 is approximately $2,079/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.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 has 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 48. The most common issue is other problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: the sunroof in this vehicle shattered overnight without any known cause. the vehicle was parked in the driveway at my home. no one was injured in this incident. the vehicle was last driven at 10 p.m. on 05/01/18 without the damage, and at 7:30 a.m. this morning, 05/02/18, when i was getting read. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

5 complaints

33%

• THE SUNROOF IN THIS VEHICLE SHATTERED OVERNIGHT WITHOUT ANY KNOWN CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS LAST DRIVEN AT 10 P.M. ON 05/01/18 WITHOUT THE DAMAGE, AND AT 7:30 A.M. THIS MORNING, 05/02/18, WHEN I WAS GETTING READ
• 1. Transmission spontaneously disengaged park to allow the car to roll backwards 10 feet. No one was in the car at the time of the incident. I have a security system video of the incident. 2. Spontaneous runaway vehicle could have crashed children in the driveway or the street. 3. The dealer is not
• Air Conditioner always make musty / moldy odor. Many forums says that is a common problem all across Mercedes models and it causes allergic reaction resulting in sneezing all the time when a/c is on. Problem is especially bad for my kids who have environmental allergy like mold/mildew. This horr

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

“THE SUNROOF IN THIS VEHICLE SHATTERED OVERNIGHT WITHOUT ANY KNOWN CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS LAST DRIVEN AT 10 P.M. ON 05/01/18 WITHOUT THE DAMAGE, AND AT 7:30 A.M. THIS MORNING, 05/02/18, WHEN I WAS GETTING READ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,286/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 2016 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

$2,079

Full coverage / month

$173

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+24%

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 age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2079

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 2016 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 15 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: THE SUNROOF IN THIS VEHICLE SHATTERED OVERNIGHT WITHOUT ANY KNOWN CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS LAST DRIVEN AT 10 P.M. ON 05/01/18 WITHOUT THE DAMAGE, AND AT 7:30 A.M. THIS MORNING, 05/02/18, WHEN I WAS GETTING READ
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: MY FATHER AND MOTHER IN-LAW RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2016 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 AS OUR FAMILY CAR. THE HEADRESTS FOR THE 2ND ROW SEATS WITH THE "EASY ENTRY" OPTION APPEAR TO POSE A COMFORT AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR BOTH CAR SEATS AND "SHORTER" PEOPLE... I WOULD SAY 5'-3" AND SHORTER. WITH THE "EASY ENTRY" O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY 2019 AND IN ADDITION TO THE CAR HAVING WARRANTY UP TO 50,000 MILES, WE PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE/REPAIR PACKAGE FOR $1,800.00 RECENTLY WE NOTICED THAT WHEN WE FIRST START DRIVING THE CAR HAS A NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE NOISE IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN APPLYING TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V241000 (STEERING). 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 CONTACT SPOKE TO AUTO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)