2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, he felt a sharp pinch coming from the driver’s side seat. Upon further inspection, the contact’s husband noticed an abnormal hole with smoke coming from the driver’s side seat. There was no visible fire present. No medical attention was sought. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Blinkers and horn stopped working windshield wipers coming on without being turned on it’s saying drive to workshop without shifting gears and won’t start in the middle of the highway

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the SRS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the air suspension strut failures, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had sustained severe water damage. The dealer informed the contact that the water had leaked from the sunroof through the headliner and onto the floor. The dealer informed the contact the water leak had caused mold on the headliner, and mold and corrosion on the floor, where the battery and electrical wires were located. The dealer informed the contact that the water entry had caused electrical failures, causing the driver's side and passenger's side third-row windows and the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owned a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle had been inspected but the brake booster was not replaced. The contact then stated that approximately eight months later, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was informed that he would be in contact however, had not received a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH in the rain, there was an abnormal smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then started filling up with smoke. The contact checked and became aware that the back of the front driver's seat was on fire. The contact was able to pull over and extinguish the fire with his hand. The contact sustained a little burn to his hand, but medical attention was not sought. The Fire Department was not contacted. Neither a Police nor Fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 59,050.

The steering wheel airbag spontaneously deployed with no prior warning sensors activated or collision (moments after pulling into driveway at home). Mercedes Benz refuses to take any responsibility, or at least inspect and replace the steering wheel and airbag. Driver's arm was partially injured due to deployment, not severe. However the concern remains of whether this could have deployed while driving, causing critical injuries. Should we worry about the remaining airbags spontaneously deploying?

In the past several weeks, whenever I press on the brake pedal firmly at a stoplight or even on the highway, the "low brake light" alarm on the vehicle turns on. I went and checked the brake fluid level, but it is normal. It also seems to take longer to brake the car than before. I'm not sure if it is related to the recent recall or not.

Was driving my vehicle on the freeway and pulled off on and exit ramp. Brake pedal went to floor with very little braking had to pump the brake pedal to regain control. Brakes felt soft. Returned home by pumping brakes. No warning lights, Next day bled brakes and replaced brake fluid. Function restored but no cause could be identified for the air in the brake lines. Very disturbing and unsafe. Sounds very much like 22V315000.

The GL450 has the balance shaft problem .It skipped timing and caused major engine failure.. This problem is prevalent for the M273 engine. The parts wear prematurely. The timing is affected and the 4 cam power train misaligns. The engine quits and the repair is usually over 4000.00. It produces 1208 1200 codes along with misfire codes. I feel Mercedes Benz Corp is responsible and has liability for the loss. Thank You. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2020, I TURNED MY DRIVER SEAT HEATER AND SUDDENLY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES DRIVING I DECIDED TO TURN OF THE HEATER, THE BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK WAS INTENSE. ONCE I PARKED, I NOTICED A HOLE IN MY SEAT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER! I CHECKED MY CLOTHING AND NOTICED IT MELTED THE ELASTIC PART AT THE BOTTOM MY JACKET.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT AND I COULD ONLY GO 40 MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD I STEPPED ON THE GAS. I HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT TEN MINUTES AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. AGAIN THIS WEEK IT ALSO HAPPENED.

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer replaced the transmission control module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated that their vehicle still has not been repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer have a remedy to fix the vehicle or accommodate him.

RAIN LEAKED IN THROUGH THE BACK CAUSING THE REAR SAM TO BE FILLED WITH WATER. THIS CAUSED ALL OF MY TAILLIGHTS TO GO OUT. I SAW A RECALL FOR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR AS MINE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE GL 450 THAT I CAN FIND. I CALLED MERCEDES WHICH YIELDED NOTHING.THEY TOLD ME THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC, NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. I GUESS MY VIN WASN'T CHOSED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE ONES THEY RECALLED IN 2009. THIS IS A NEW SAM. IT WAS REPLACED BY US WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED.

MY CAR BATTERY DIED, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMPED MY CAR, MECHANIC REPLACED MY BATTERIES. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT THEN A MESSAGE CAME UP IN MY DASHBOARD IN RED SAYING TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE WORKSHOP WITHOUT SHIFTING GEARS; AFTER THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR AND DID SOME RESEARCH HE FOUND THAT THE INTELLIGENT SERVO MODULE WAS BAD; THE CARD WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE SHOP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND HER COAT. AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS BETHESDA (7020 ARLINGTON RD, BETHESDA, MD 20814, (301) 986-8800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. IN ADDITION, THE ESP AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER .THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ORLANDO AT 407-374-0033 (LOCATED AT 4301 MILLENIA BLVD, ORLANDO, FL 32839) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

HEATING ELEMENT IN DRIVERS SIDE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. WILL ONLY COVER 25% OF A 1400$ REPAIR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE SEAT.

I WAS DRIVING ON I10 WEST NEAR MOBILE, AL AT NIGHT. I HEARD A LOUD POP NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND FEEL IT LIFT INTO THE AIR AND START BOUNCING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE SEATBELT ENGAGED AND I WAS WORRIED FOR MY 10 MONTH OLD IN THE BACKSEAT. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO REGAIN CONTROL. A PASSERBY STOPPED AND SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE CAR LIFTED 2 FEET IN THE AIR. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS NOT RECALLIBRATED. MY BACK AND NECK ARE SORE. I CALLED MY FIANCE TO MEET MYSELF AND THE BABY SO WE COULD GET HOME. I WAS NOT GOING TO RISK SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME. AFTER GOOGLING THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS THE AIR BAGS IN THE STRUTS EXPLODED, WITHOUT PROVOCATION OR WARNING. THE CAR WENT TO DRIVING FINE TO TERRIBLE, PAINFUL, AND TIRING. AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT IDLE (STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT) AND WHEN TRAVELING 70+MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE EVENT HAPPENS VERY FAST AND THE ENGINE RESTARTS WITHIN 30SEC. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE BUT ALL SYSTEMS CONTINUE WORKING (AC, RADIO, ETC). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NEITHER ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN VERY SCARY AND MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUT-OFF WITH NO WARNINGS WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING ALL THE INTERNAL ELECTRONICS (E.G. NAVIGATION, DASHBOARD). AFTER 1 SECOND, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ALL BY ITSELF. THE CLOCK INSIDE THE VEHICLE KEPT ON CIRCLING BACK AND FORTH AS IF SOME LIGHTNING HIT IT OR SOMETHING, AND IT WAS VERY SCARY, SINCE THERE WERE MANY CARS ON THE FREEWAY.

TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES GL 450. CONTACT LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE.MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 99,801. CONTACT WAS GOING 66MPH AT TIME WHEN DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT FIREAND CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MERCEDES HEATED SEATS RECALL FOR SEAT OVERHEATING AND HOLE BURNING IN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. 0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN

TAKATA RECALL .MY CAR HAVE THE AIR SHOCKS COMPLETELY DOWN THE AIR IS ESCAPING FROM 3 OF THEM AND THE CAR LOOKS AND DRIVE VERY BAD ,ALSO THE TURBINE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR IS FAILING SINCE I PURCFCHASE THIS VEHICLE, THA CAR STOP MOVING FORWARD EVERY TIME IGOT TO A STOP ,AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN THE CAR ON IN ORDER TO KEEP MOVING

THE FOLLOWING CONDITION APPEARED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. (I PUT A DATE OF 1/1/18, IN THE BOX BELOW, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN, AND I FIND IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE). AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT TO BY ITSELF INTO 1ST GEAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. EVEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS RPMS WILL SUDDENLY JUMP UP TO "RED-LINE" LIMITS AS THE DOWNSHIFT OCCURS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ENGINE MUST BE TURN OFF AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE FOLLOWING OR IN ADJACENT LANES TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ALSO, AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, VEHICLE RPMS DROP SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. TRANSMISSION BASICALLY DISENGAGES AND WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE EVEN WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. EQUALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION - ESPECIALLY WHEN DECELERATING ON FREEWAY OFF-RAMPS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED (ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE), AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER (BOUGHT NEW IN LATE 2006). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 117,500 MILES AS OF FEBRUARY 2018. WHAT ALARMS ME THE MOST IS THAT I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE REPORT EXACTLY THE SAME DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. EVEN MY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS SAYS ITS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I SAY IT'S A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I SHOULD KNOW, IN PART BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN REGISTERED TRAFFIC ENGINEER FOR OVER 39 YEARS, AND WAS A PAST RECIPIENT OF A NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FELLOWSHIP IN HIGHWAY SAFETY.

275/55/19 SCORPION VERDE ALL SEASON PLUS TIRES I PURCHASED LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER MERCEDES GL 450 ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT A SIDEWALL FOR NO REASON. I HAVE A REPORT FROM THE TIRE DEALER THAT THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE OR ABRASION NOTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE GEARS OPERATED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND THAT THE SPEED AND PCU SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

WE WERE DRIVING ON SAN VICENTE BLVD IN BEVERLY HILLS, MY HUSBAND IN THE DRIVER SEAT TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS IN OUR SUV AND ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING AND COULD NOT RIGHT AWAY DISTINGUISH WHERE THE PUTRID SMELL ORIGINATED FROM. MOMENTS LATER THE CABIN STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE AND THE FUMES BECOME UNBEARABLE WHICH MADE US, MYSELF, HUSBAND AND OUR 1.5YR OLD COUGH. MY HUSBAND NOTICED HIS SEAT WAS HOTTER THAN USUAL, AND QUICKLY REALIZED IT WAS THE SEAT THE FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM AND QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE HEATER. WE STOPPED THE CAR, JUMPED OUT, I GRABBED MY SON FROM THE BACK SEAT AND WE FOUND A BURNT HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT!!

MY TAIL GATE WON'T LOCK MY POWER STEERING IS WAY HARD TO TURN

1. NORMAL USE. 2. TIRE DEVELOPED RADIAL RUNOUT - PROBABLE TREAD SEPARATION 3. REMOVED TIRES FROM CAR

THE ISM (INTELLIGENT SERVO MODULE) HAS FAILED IN MANY OF THE SIMILAR MERCEDES CARS THAT I OWN. I CAN NOT START THE CAR AND CAN NOT EVEN ORDER THIS PART BECAUSE ONLY A DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS PART. MY VEHICLE IS STUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

WHILE DRIVING 2007 MERCEDES GL450 WITH MY WIFE, AFTER DRIVING FOR 1 MILES FROM OUR HOME WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING I FELT BURN AT MY BACK AND THEN MY WIFE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE SEATS, WE STOPED THE CAR AND SAW DRIVE SEAT WAS BURNING AND MADE A QUARTER SIZE HOLE IN THE SEAT, I TALKED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE. EVEN NOW IF I TURN IT ON IT WILL CATCH FIRE -

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE REMAINED FUNCTIONAL DURING TWO OF THE FAILURES, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,561.

I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON I-80 HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 70 DOWN TO 10 MPH IN ABOUT 2 SECONDS. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, BELLS, OR SIGNALS TO WARN ME THAT MY FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO CUT ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER, AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER WHO HAD TO IMMEDIATELY SWERVE OFF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED BY A NJ STATE OFFICER TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS ON A VERY BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY, AND HAD IT OF BEEN RUSH HOUR I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I SERVICE MY CAR REGULARLY, AND NEVER AT ANY POINT HAD THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP EVER ADVISED ME THAT I NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP. OF COURSE THEY HAVE WARNING SIGNALS TO TELL ME MY WINDSHIELD FLUID IS LOW, BUT NOTHING TO SIGNAL THIS TYPE OF MALFUNCTION. I THEN HAD TO REMAIN ON THE SIDE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY FOR OVER 90 MINUTES WHILE I WAITED TO THE MERCEDES ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE. I ADVISED THEM FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES THAT MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER WITH CARS FLYING BY ME AT TOP SPEED. MY FUEL PUMP WAS EVENTUALLY SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD NO ANSWER FOR WHY THIS HAPPENED. I AM FILING THIS REPORT NOT ONLY BECAUSE I AM EXTREMELY UPSET, BUT POSSIBLE TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHER TRAVELERS. AS I STATED, THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SIGNS OR MY CAR IN DISTRESS, OR ANYTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER, AND IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION I WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SUPPLY YOU WITH THAT.

2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSES FIRE. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SEAT HEATER. UPDATED 04/04/2017*JS UPDATED 04/14/2017*JS *JS

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, I TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR FOLLOWED BY A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND HEAT COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR. I FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SOMETHING POKING ME IN THE LEFT REAR POCKET OF MY PANTS, AND BURNED THE BACK OF MY KNUCKLE CHECKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE HEAT. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE HEATER AND PULLED OFF AT THE FIRST SAFE LOCATION. I EXITED THE VEHICLE (A PALL OF SMOKE FOLLOWED ME) AND KNOCKED THE SMOKING EMBERS OUT OF THE VEHICLE (A HOLE LARGER THAN A QUARTER IS BURNED IN THE SEAT). I ALSO NOTICED A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH MY PANTS. APPARENTLY, I CAME VERY CLOSE TO SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL INJURY, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT OF POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SCHEDULED THE CAR FOR NEXT MONDAY. RESEARCHING INTO THE ISSUE, MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THE NHTSA. OBVIOUSLY, THESE SEATS ARE DEFECTIVE, MERCEDES IS AWARE, THE PASSENGER SEAT IS NEXT AND IS NOT SAFE.

2 COMPLAINTS -1 I WAS DRIVING W/OUT A COAT ON & TURNED THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER ON. THEN I STARTED FEELING A SHARP, STINGING PAIN ON MY BACK AND STARTED SMELLING THE BURNING OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE SEAT. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT TRYING TO GET WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A STINGING OR BITING INSECT OFF MY BACK. ONCE I REALIZED IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER, I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, ONLY TO FIND I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN MY SEAT. IF MERCEDES KNOWS THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AS I HAVE COME TO READ HERE, THEY SHOULD WARN PEOPLE NOT TO USE THE HEATERS TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND AVOID HAVING A HOLE IN THE SEAT OR REPLACE THE SEAT AND HEATER. #2 THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SHOCK CRASHED ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR. MY CAR SAT IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH WAITING FOR MERCEDES TO REENGINEER THE AIR SHOCK. FINALLY, THEY TOLD US TO BUY AN AFTERMARKET AND THEY WOULD INSTALL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER REAR OF THE CAR WOULDN'T LEVEL AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR SO THAT WAS REPLACED. BUT STILL THE REAR WAS UNEVEN SO THEY REPLACED BOTH REAR SHOCKS AND STILL THE CAR WOULDN'T LEVEL. THEN THEY HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME IT WAS THE FRONT AFTERMARKET AND THEY NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR WAS A 2007 SO WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT. I STOPPED GOING TO THE DEALER AND INSTEAD TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE SHOP. THEY REPLACED A SENSOR FOR A MINIMAL CHARGE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE SINCE.

VEH SUSPENSION FELL, ALMOST LOST CONTROL

2007 MERCEDES GL450 AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR ALL THE SUDDEN BECAME NOISY POPPED THE HOOD TO CONFIRM NOISE AND IT WAS THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR CAR WAS DRIVING FINE HAD TO GET TO MY DESTINATION ONLY 2 MILES AWAY THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN BOOM I THOUGHT MY TIRE BLEW OUT CAR STARTED BOUNCING IN THE REAR BADLY PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN SCAIRED THE HECK OUT OF ME GOT HOME CRAWLED UNDER CAR AND THE LEFT REAR AIR SUSPENSION BAG BLEW APART COMPLETELY NO WARNING AT ALL EXCEPT THE DISPLAY ON DASH STATED COMPRESSOR COOLING DOWN HOPE MERCEDES WILL SOMEHOW HELP WITH REPAIR AND LOOK INTO THIS FOR A SAFETY ISSUE AND POSSIBLY HELP WITH THE REPAIR SOMEHOW AS I SEE THE AIRPUMP WAS JUST CHANGED IN 2013 THANKS FOR LISTENING.

HEAD LIGHTS WENT OFF IN THE WHILE TRAVELING DUE TO DEFECTING WIRING SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO EXPERTS MB USED AN INFERIOR AND UNSUITABLE MATERIAL FOR THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES OF SOME OF THE GL450 MODELS. THIS INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATES UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE SEAT WHILE THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE OFF AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WE HAD LEFT THE HOME - DROVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AT 20 MILES AN HOUR WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE - IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. WE HAD A BABY IN THE CAR, WERE TRAVELING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD IN ASPEN. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THANKFULLY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH SNOW FROM A SNOW BANK (WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WAS IN THE SUMMER?). THERE IS A BIG HOLE IN OUR CAR SEAT NOW AND OBVIOUSLY - WE ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THE SEAT HEATERS. I SEE FROM THE REPORTS HERE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH THE SAME VEHICLE -- THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DONE FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE AS SOMEONE MAY BE INJURED SEVERELY IN THE FUTURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY TO AN AFTERNOON LUNCH ON THE 5TH OF DECEMBER, 2014, THE DAY WAS CHILLY AND IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO HAVE THE HEATED SEATS ON... AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE AREA (IT WAS ACTUALLY MY SEAT LIGHTING ME ON FIRE), NEEDLESS TO SAY THE SMELL CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I LOOKED FOR A SAFE AREA TO PULL OVER AND IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD MY SIDE STARTED SMOKING AND LIT ON FIRE. I FRANTICALLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND JUMPED OUT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RIP OF MY JACKET AND PUT OUT THE SMOLDERING SECTION OF IT. AFTER THAT I NOTICED THE CAR WAS STILL SMOKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT ABOUT TO GO UP IN FLAMES, AT THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUR 2 YEAR OLD TWINS OUT OF THE VEHICLE I GOT BACK TO THE CAR TO TURN IT OFF AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SCENE I FOUND THE HEATED SEAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED IN SOME MANNER AND BURNED A NICE HOLE IN THE SEAT WHICH IN RETURN LIT MY JACKET ON FIRE. I WILL GET IT INTO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE FUSE TAKEN OUT AND MAKE THE HEATED SEATS INOPERABLE NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND HIP WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PAM UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE CONSUMER DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. UPDATED 10/23/2015 *JS

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING ON SEAT WARMERS, THE CAR SMELLED OF A BURNING SMELL AND I FELT A VERY HOT SPOT ON MY BACK. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMERS TO FIND A HOLE BURNED INTO THE LEATHER. ALL OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF 2007 MB GL-450.

I WAS IN MY 2007 MERCEDES GL450 AND HAD DRIVEN APPROX. 2 MILES WITH MY FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON. I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE SMELL AND SUDDENLY THE CABIN WAS STARTING TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF MY FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WAS ON FIRE. SNOW WAS ON THE GROUND SO I SCOOPED UP SNOW TO PACK IN THE FIRE/HOT SPOT WHICH HAD BURNED A LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE VINYL AND INSIDE PADDING MATERIAL. I LATER NOTICED THAT MY JACKET HAD BURN MARKS AND A HOLE IN THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE POINT OF THE FIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SEAT HEATERS OVER HEATED CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM BURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,690.

I HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 2 MILES AND GOING AROUND 25-30 MPH AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THERE WAS CARS BEHIND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON. THANKFULLY CARS WERE COMING UP TO STOP SIGN SO I WAS ABLE TO STEER OFF ROAD. STARTED CAR UP AND DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER AND CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN AND LOCKED STEERING REPEATED 4 MORE TIMES TIL WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. I WAS GETTING READY TO GET ON FREEWAY WITH MY YOUNG KIDS IN THE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN SO DANGEROUS. *TR

THERE'S A WHISTLING SOUND ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING LOW THAN USUAL AND THERE MESSAGE INDICATOR STATES THAT THERE'S AN FAILURE WITH SUSPENSION. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS GETTING STUCK IN A GEAR AND NOT SHIFTING UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT AND ACCELERATE TO MAINTAIN SPEED ON AN UPHILL INCLINE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS A SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD OTHER FAILURE TO SHIFT GEAR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE BEFORE AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT. THE "FIX" IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. IF THIS FAILURE TO SHIFT GEARS OCCURS DURING A TURN OR OTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION IT CAN RESULT IN A FATALITY. I SEE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE ONLINE FROM OTHER '07 GL450 OWNERS. THIS HAS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

DRIVING IN NEW JERSEY ON ROUTE 80 WEST FOR 1-2 MILES THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNT WIRES THAT SMELL SO BAD AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT WENT ON FOR FEW MINUTES WHERE THE WIRES ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED TOGETHER. STOPPED THE CAR, SHOT THE ENGINE OFF, WITH WINDOWS OPEN AND TRIED TO PULL THE WIRES APART TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE.... BUT COULD NOT SEPARATE THE WIRES FROM EACH OTHER. CALLED THE MB DEALER NEAR OUR LOCATION AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN AFTER THE MBUSA SUGGESTED TOWING IT IN AND LATER WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE LOCAL MB DEALER MANAGER I TALKED TO WAS VERY HELPFUL AND UNDERSTANDABLE AND HE TRIES TO SUPPORT ME THE BEST WAY HE COULD WHERE HE AGREED TO LOOK AT THE CAR AT REDUCED RATE TO HELP OUT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. THE CAR IS AT THE MB DEALER NOW. MBUSA SENT AN EXPERT TO INSPECT THE CAR AT THE MB DEALER AND AFTER A WEEK I WAS TOLD THAT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED. MBUSA RULED OUT ANY CONNECTIONS TO A PREVIOUS WORK DONE MB DEALER ON THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER. I WAS ALSO TOLD, BY MBUSA, THAT THE ISSUE IS AN INTERNAL AND THEY CAN??T DISCUSS THAT WITH ME AND I SHOULD GO THRU MY CAR INSURANCE SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT??S APPROX. $12,000 JOB TO REPLACE THE MAIN HARNESS WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DAMAGE. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TO PURCHASE THIS SUV WHICH SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND NEVER EXPECT THIS TO EVER HAPPEN. PERHAPS WE BROUGHT A LEMON. *TR