BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 41. The most common issue is engine problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: driving on freeway at ̃75mph toward 202 w arizona freeway, dashboard showed a "engine malfunction + 48 v battery see operator's manual:. 1 minute later another error on screen saying, coolant off turn engine off. then the car lost the power in the middle lane off freeway. luckily no cars behin. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 4 injuries

7

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 7)

ENGINE

1 complaints
14%
  • DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ̃75MPH TOWARD 202 W ARIZONA FREEWAY, DASHBOARD SHOWED A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION + 48 V BATTERY SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL:. 1 MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ERROR ON SCREEN SAYING, COOLANT OFF TURN ENGINE OFF. THEN THE CAR LOST THE POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OFF FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS BEHIN
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ̃75MPH TOWARD 202 W ARIZONA FREEWAY, DASHBOARD SHOWED A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION + 48 V BATTERY SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL:. 1 MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ERROR ON SCREEN SAYING, COOLANT OFF TURN ENGINE OFF. THEN THE CAR LOST THE POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OFF FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS BEHIN

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE05/02/2021

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,667
Per month
$222
Per mile
22.2¢
MPG
18
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,182/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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450

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
$2,260
Full coverage / month
$188
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+35%
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 age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$2260

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz GLS450 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 2019 GLS450, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~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 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ̃75MPH TOWARD 202 W ARIZONA FREEWAY, DASHBOARD SHOWED A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION + 48 V BATTERY SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL:. 1 MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ERROR ON SCREEN SAYING, COOLANT OFF TURN ENGINE OFF. THEN THE CAR LOST THE POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OFF FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS BEHIN

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

  • ELECTRICAL: DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ̃75MPH TOWARD 202 W ARIZONA FREEWAY, DASHBOARD SHOWED A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION + 48 V BATTERY SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL:. 1 MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ERROR ON SCREEN SAYING, COOLANT OFF TURN ENGINE OFF. THEN THE CAR LOST THE POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OFF FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS BEHIN

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

  • BRAKES: MERCEDES BENZ HAS GROSSLY MIS-REPRESENTED THE ACTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM FEATURE. THE OWNERS MANUAL LEAVES OUT A KEY ELEMENT, WHICH IS THAT THE DRIVERS FOOT NEEDS TO BE OFF THE PEDAL FOR THE FEATURE TO ACTIVATE. I.E. THE FEATURE WILL ONLY WORK WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS

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

  • SPEED CONTROL: MERCEDES BENZ HAS GROSSLY MIS-REPRESENTED THE ACTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM FEATURE. THE OWNERS MANUAL LEAVES OUT A KEY ELEMENT, WHICH IS THAT THE DRIVERS FOOT NEEDS TO BE OFF THE PEDAL FOR THE FEATURE TO ACTIVATE. I.E. THE FEATURE WILL ONLY WORK WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz GLS450 — Year Comparison

How does 2019 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
7
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
4
Segment avg
41

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450