What Mercedes-Benz GLS owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Mercedes-Benz GLS safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 |
| 2025 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 118 |
| 2024 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 223 |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 220 |
| 2022 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 238 |
| 2020 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 262 |
| 2019 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 116 |
| 2018 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 87 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Mercedes-Benz GLS complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I am writing to formally log an urgent Safety-Critical Incident Report regarding a complete brake system failure on my 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 (VIN: â [XXX]). Incident Details: Date & Timeï¼ï¼»XXXï¼½ Vehicle Mileage: Approximate 30k miles Occupants: 5 family members (including 3 children) Maintenance History: Fully and regularly maintained according to manufacturer schedules. What Happened: While driving with my family on the highway, the brake pedal suddenly went completely soft and lost braking power, creating an extremely dangerous, life-threatening situation. The dashboard did not display any advance warning before the failure occurred. Fortunately, I was able to sa…
The contact owns a 2026 Mercedes GLS 450 4MATIC. The contact stated that while his daughter was sitting in the rear driver's side seat and attempting to exit the vehicle, the speaker on the rear driver's door scraped her right elbow. The contact stated that the screw holes for the speaker had jaggedly sharp edges, and the holes on the speakers looked like perforations on a grater. The contact stated that the other shiny metal door speakers on each door were also sharp and posed a potential injury risk. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The dealer did not believe that the screw holes on the speaker were sharp. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service, and it was discovered that the U-joint on front driveshaft was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V216000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
While driving at 60 mph on the highway around 7pm, with no cars infront or next to us, vehicle top glass exploded. No construction. As per other complaints, this has happen to other people. My kidds were in the car and thankfully screen was open otherwise all glass would fall on thdm. As per dealer installer, they already had this part in stock and new eaxctly how to handle it as per his known experiences on such style. But refused to warranty while vehicle under 41000 miles. 2024 GLS450
the vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic engine failure while being driven on the freeway at about 60mph. The engine seized and the vehicle lost propulsion creating a serious safety concern
On Thursday, August 20th at approxmately 5:30PM my 2026 Mercedes Benz suffered a catastrophic transfer case failure and driveshhaft failure at highways speeds, causing a complete loss of propulsion. Putting me in immediate danger of on coming traffic. After the got to the shoulder I waited about 3 plus hours in pouring rain waiting for Mercedes Benz roadside assistance. The safety of this vehicle put me, my wife and family in immediate danger if this happens again. I do have a video I cannot upload as is is too large, but have loaded an image of the car in service showing transfer case. Please let me know how i can share the video.
I made a left turn and the rear passenger side axle broke. I didnât hit anything.
While traveling at highway speeds, the digital instrument cluster suffered a sudden, complete power loss and went entirely black for approximately 5 seconds before rebooting. Component failed: Digital instrument cluster / dashboard display. It is available for inspection. Safety risk: Complete loss of critical data (speedometer, vehicle status) at high speed. It caused immediate driver confusion over whether the vehicle had stalled or lost propulsion, creating an acute risk of a high-speed collision in traffic. Reproduced by dealer: [UNKNOWN] Inspected by others: [NO] Prior symptoms: UNKNOWN. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the sudden blackout.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Dear Dealer Partners, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is Thursday, October 8th, 2026. After October 8th, we will no longer accept returns of these parts. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. We will replace all returned parts in accordance with the chart below.
Complaint Whining / humming noises (described as foghornâlike) from the drivetrain in the rear axle area during cornering. (figure 1) On the aboveâmentioned vehicles with a mileage up to 15,000 km (about 9,300 mi), noises can occur from the rear axle differential. Cause Drivetrain resonance caused by the gear mesh of the ring and pinion in the rear axle differential in combination with installed damper elements on the axle shafts. Remedy For precise noise analysis and localization, use the chassis ear/NVH kit and the following driving procedure: 1. Drive the vehicle in a tight circle with
Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: ⢠Flashing without a speed limit ("â â"). ⢠Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. ⢠Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: ⢠Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. ⢠This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reason
Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167, 465: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 290, 118, 243, 247: Software is still in development. This fault code does not cause a drivability concern and will clear itself within 2â 3 key cycles. The vehicle can be released back to the customer.
Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9GâTRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9GâTRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of the onâgoing quality monitoring process and associated quality and damaged part appraisals, a high number of ineffective repairs have been discovered. Such ineffective repairs have a negative im
Complaint Customer concern of Air Conditioning not cooling. *NOTE â Use of tracer DYE for leak checks is not approved. Only approved leak check procedures as per WIS are approved. Cause Possible refrigerant leak. Remedy Perform the following measures : *Important* â Photo documentation requirement is no longer in effect as of 10/1/2025. Remedy 1: Replace Evaporator (Only applies to vehicles produced PRIOR to April 15, 2022 and has NOT had the evaporator replaced previously) 1. Ensure that the rest of the AC system has been thoroughly checked for leaks with forming gas as per WIS before con
Complaint When coming to a stop or at slow speeds, brakes produce light squealing noise. Cause Optimized brake pads may produce some noise and is normal at low speeds and light pressure. If the noise begins when the weather is colder, brake noise during this time is normal and the below remedy will not rectify. Remedy NOTE: Exchanging brake discs for noise is not a permanent measure for noise mitigation and cannot be claimed under warranty according to this LI. If the brake pads have not been exchanged prior, vehicle is newer, and this is the first visit for brake noise: ⢠Wipe down brake di
Cause Internal failure of the scroll wheel within the AC compressor. Remedy Check the compressor's index and part number Figure 1 against Table 1. If listed please perform the following: 1. Replace the compressor, drier, and expansion valve using the applicable WIS instructions. 2. Flush the system using the applicable WIS instructions.
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to: â Hitting the curb/posts with the front wheels. â Driving over obstacles (e.g. pothole/ threshold/ speed bump/ gully) at an inappropriate speed. 2. Corrosion/ water ingress through a damaged bo
Complaint Noise from front end thought to be from steering gear. Cause During diagnostics of a front end noise, workshop is under the impression the noise is coming from the steering gear. Remedy If the root cause of the noise cannot be found and is seemingly from the steering rack, perform the below LI's and diagnostics. If they have been performed and the root cause still cannot be determined, a TIPS case must be opened to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment team prior to replacing the steering rack. ⢠LI46.35âPâ067339 â "Rattling, Humming, Dry Sliding/Gravel Noise When Steering" ⢠LI46
Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by doubleâclicking on the button instead. This reduces the likelihood of the button being activated accidentally or unintentionally. The recoding can be carried out as follows: 1. Add SA Code O19 into VeDoc (O for Oscar, not "zero") ⢠an XSS ticket may be n
Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: ⢠Flashing without a speed limit ("â â"). ⢠Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. ⢠Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: ⢠Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. ⢠This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reason
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2018–2026, owners most often name: electrical system, forward collision avoidance, engine. 134 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
