10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 55,191 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Driver's side tire continues to leak air - note low tire pressure even with new tire replacement. Airmatic Suspension failure. Rear airbag suspension airbag. Compression also failed. Several complaints to dealer advising the car was bouncing up and down while in drive. Took vehicle to the shop with suspension complaints at the end of April 2021. We were told they did not find an issue with suspension but saw an issue with the sway bar. This cost $549. The week we brought the car home it was still bouncing up and down and we contacted the dealer again and was advised they did not find anything wrong. Within 2 weeks of having the vehicle, I was driving and the vehicle was violently bouncing up and down even traveling at a low level. We took the vehicle back and have not been advised now that they see the malfunction light for the suspension on they realize that's the issue. The suggested cost to repair only the rear is $4k. If the front and rear need repairs it over $7k. The issue is it appears this is a known issue for the Airmatic system and with a vehicle in this price range and under 90k miles - appears to be a issue with manufacturing. I was also advised this repair is no longer covered on their extended warranty.
- West Nyack, NY, USA
When activation of the suspension lift system. Compressor is cooling then a malfunction message appears on the screen. Vehicle shakes violently in the rear up and down at low and high speeds and over any small bumps in the road. This concerns me for the safety of other owners whom may have the same problem. 2013 Mercedes Benz gl 450 is the model I own currently and ive been having this problem for the past 3 months and I'm almost scared to drive it for fear of something catostrophic happening. Please look into this problem. Even when park and activating the suspension system the error message still appears.. I had a independant mechanic say its the rear air bags and the compressor that has to be replaced because of it being a 4 matic model the air line from the compressor is not supplying the rear suspension with enough air to lift the vehicle thus causing the problem that we have.
- Riverdale, GA, USA
Upon acceleration after a complete stop there are several seconds of hesitation to accelerate and loud clicking sounds that neighboring cars can hear. After doing online research, this issue is not limited to GL450. Other owners have expressed the same concern in other models: 2008 C300, 2009 C300, 2015 C300, 07 GL450, 03 GL450.
- Arlington, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz GL450. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear section would bounce up and down violently due to a faulty rear air suspension. In addition, an electrical burning odor was present inside the vehicle and the arm rest was extremely hot to the touch. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,500.
- Maple Heights, OH, USA
- Silver Spring, MD, USA