2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 has 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle is only 3 weeks old. a faulty engine wire harness caused the vehicle to cease operating in traffic and put my family in a potentially life threatening situation. mercedes did not replace but only "repaired" the wire, which we were told was not assembled correctly and was pinched in a bracke. ⚠️ 12 fire reports filed.
51
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
8 complaints- • VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD. A FAULTY ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CEASE OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AND PUT MY FAMILY IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE BUT ONLY "REPAIRED" THE WIRE, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND WAS PINCHED IN A BRACKE
- • ON FRIDAY 11/30 MY 2017 MERCEDES GL450 SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION THAT LED TO A) NO ABILITY TO GET CAR OUT OF DRIVE (E.G. WOULDN'T PARK, REVERSE, COULDN'T TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE), B) NO ABILITY TO TURN CAR OFF, C) POWER STEERING WENT OUT, D) AIRBAGS FLAGGED AS INACTIVE, E) MO
- • AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS, THE REAR TAILGATE OPENED BY ITSELF 3 TIMES IN 8 DAYS. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR HOME GARAGE. THE SECOND TIME, WE WERE TRAVELING ON A CITIY STREET WHEN THE TAILGATE JUST POPPED OPEN ON ITS OWN. THE THIRD TIME, WHEN EXITING A PARKI
“VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD. A FAULTY ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CEASE OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AND PUT MY FAMILY IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE BUT ONLY "REPAIRED" THE WIRE, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND WAS PINCHED IN A BRACKE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
7 complaints- • VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD. A FAULTY ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CEASE OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AND PUT MY FAMILY IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE BUT ONLY "REPAIRED" THE WIRE, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND WAS PINCHED IN A BRACKE
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS, IT CAUGHT FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CUP HOLDER AND ARMREST CONSOLE WERE HOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER IN THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
- • I DROVE UP AND DOWN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS. I DROVE 16 HOURS A DAY FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. I RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A WARNING THAT THERE WAS A SMALL EVAP LEAK. AFTER BEING SERVICED THIS WARNING DID NOT APPEAR AGAIN. I BELIEVE THE THRESHOLDS WERE UPDATED TO I
“VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD. A FAULTY ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CEASE OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AND PUT MY FAMILY IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE BUT ONLY "REPAIRED" THE WIRE, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND WAS PINCHED IN A BRACKE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
7 complaints- • WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE TURNER TURNPIKE (BETWEEN TULSA AND OKC, AROUND 70-75MPH)THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING HAS SWERVED LEFT AND RIGHT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ACTION FELT AS IF THE HAND OF GOD WAS THROWING US LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. THEN THE LAST TIME THAT I
- • REAR WINDOW FRACTURED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND OR PEOPLE. OCCURRED ON A COUNTY ROAD.
- • ON FRIDAY 11/30 MY 2017 MERCEDES GL450 SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION THAT LED TO A) NO ABILITY TO GET CAR OUT OF DRIVE (E.G. WOULDN'T PARK, REVERSE, COULDN'T TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE), B) NO ABILITY TO TURN CAR OFF, C) POWER STEERING WENT OUT, D) AIRBAGS FLAGGED AS INACTIVE, E) MO
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE TURNER TURNPIKE (BETWEEN TULSA AND OKC, AROUND 70-75MPH)THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING HAS SWERVED LEFT AND RIGHT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ACTION FELT AS IF THE HAND OF GOD WAS THROWING US LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. THEN THE LAST TIME THAT I”
— NHTSA complaint filing
LIGHTING
6 complaints- • THE STANDARD HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM AND UNSUITABLE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THEY HAVE A BRIGHTNESS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO PARKING LIGHTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO MERCEDES ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE BOARDS. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR NIGHT DRIVING AND NEEDS TO BE RETROFITTED WITH SOME USABLE HEA
- • MY 2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLS 450 HAS STANDARD HALOGEN LIGHTING FROM THE FACTORY. IT HAS VERY POOR VISIBILITY IN RAINY,FOG CONDITIONS. ALSO VERY POOR VISIBILITY IN URBAN AREAS WHERE THERE IS PARTIAL STREET LIGHTING. THE LOW BEAN HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM TO SEE INFRONT OF VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY BIG SUV AND
- • ROAD VISIBILITY IS POOR WITH LOW BEAM LIGHTING ON NORMAL WEATHER CONDITION DURING NIGHTTIME. IT INCREASES DANGER WHEN IT RAINS AND/OR FOGGY WEATHER DURING NIGHTTIME.VISITED DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT UP ISSUES, BUT MBENZ CAN'T FIX IT SINCE IT PASSES ITS STANDARD. NHTSA, PLEASE DO MORE RESEARCH ON THIS
“THE STANDARD HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM AND UNSUITABLE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THEY HAVE A BRIGHTNESS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO PARKING LIGHTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO MERCEDES ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE BOARDS. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR NIGHT DRIVING AND NEEDS TO BE RETROFITTED WITH SOME USABLE HEA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
5 complaints- • 2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLS450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE INTERIOR DOOR TRIM WAS NOT SECURE. *JS
- • Our car, Mercedes GLS 450, caught on fire after pulled into the garage from a short drive on local streets, which resulted a total loss on our house. After pulling into the garage, the home link didn't work when tried to use it to close the garage door. Upon coming out of the car, smoke came out f
- • Car destroyed by fire on March 19, 2023 while at a quick stop near Chickasaw, OK. Car was last serviced by Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City in December 2022. No personal injuries just a total loss of the vehicle. Cause of the fire at present is unknown. Pictures are available.
“2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLS450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE INTERIOR DOOR TRIM WAS NOT SECURE. *JS”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 51 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD. A FAULTY ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CEASE OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AND PUT MY FAMILY IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE BUT ONLY "REPAIRED" THE WIRE, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND WAS PINCHED IN A BRACKE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD. A FAULTY ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CEASE OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AND PUT MY FAMILY IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE BUT ONLY "REPAIRED" THE WIRE, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND WAS PINCHED IN A BRACKE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE TURNER TURNPIKE (BETWEEN TULSA AND OKC, AROUND 70-75MPH)THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING HAS SWERVED LEFT AND RIGHT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ACTION FELT AS IF THE HAND OF GOD WAS THROWING US LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. THEN THE LAST TIME THAT I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐LIGHTING: THE STANDARD HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM AND UNSUITABLE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THEY HAVE A BRIGHTNESS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO PARKING LIGHTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO MERCEDES ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE BOARDS. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR NIGHT DRIVING AND NEEDS TO BE RETROFITTED WITH SOME USABLE HEA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz GLS450 — Year Comparison
How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 12
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450