NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I PUT ON THE SEAT WARMER. APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE LATER AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE FREEWAY I NOTICED AN ODOR THAT SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE ROAD BEING PAVED NEARBY, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WAS GETTING VERY HOT BY MY LOWER LEFT BACK. I GLANCED DOWN AND SAW SMOKE, LEANED FORWARD AND NOTICED A BLACK HOLE IN THE SEAT THAT WAS GLOWING TOO. I PUSHED THE SEAT WARMER BUTTON OFF AND STARTED HITTING THE SEAT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I PULLED OVER AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL SMOKING THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT BURNED TOO BADLY. *TR
THE SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON AND THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE RESULT WAS A HOLE IN THE SEAT OF THE CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FIELD AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION UP-SHIFT AND REMAINS UNRESPONSIVE TO THROTTLE POSITION. SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION CONDUCTOR PLATE/VALVE FAILURE AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED BY OTHERS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. WHEN WILL MB ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND ISSUE A RECALL? *TR
I TURNED ON MY 2007 MERCEDES GL450 IN MY DRIVEWAY TO WARM IT UP AND 1 MINUTE LATER THE HORN CONTINUALLY WENT OFF. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE HORN CONTINUED. SMOKE BEGAN FROM THE PASSENGER REAR TAIL LIGHT, THEN A FLAME. 911 WAS CALLED THE MOMENT WE SAW SMOKE. WITHIN SECONDS THE BACK SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THEN THE ENTIRE CAR. THE FLAMES WERE AS HIGH AS MY 2 STORY HOME. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF THIS CAR. THE AMOUNT OF BROKEN GLASS FROM ALL THE WINDOWS BLOWING OUT DOWN MY DRIVEWAY IS UNBELIEVABLE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING IN MY SON [XXX] TO HIS SCHOOL IN WAYNE NEW JERSEY WITH MY GL 450 SEATS WARMER TURNED ON IN BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEATS. I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE & THOUGHT IT WAS FROM OUTSIDE. I OPENED MY WINDOW, AND SMOKE STARTED SWIRLING INSIDE MY CAR AND STARTED GETTING THICKER WITHIN MINUTES. I TRY TO SEARCH FOR THE SOURCE OF THE STRANGE SMELL - BUT NO OBVIOUS CLUE OBSERVED. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HAS BURNED A HOLE IN MY SUIT JACKET BACK LEFT SIDE. THE HOLE IN THE CAR IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO IF POSSIBLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE DIRECTING ME TO THE APPROPRIATE LINE TO FIX MY SEAT AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF MY JEEP AND GET COMPENSATED FOR MY SUIT DAMAGE ASAP. *TR
AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES OF HAVING MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER ON, WE STARTED TO SMELL BURNING AND THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT GOT VERY HOT, SO I TURNED OFF MY SEAT WARMER. WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR, I NOTICED A BURN HOLE IN MY SWEATSHIRT AND THEN LOOKED AT MY SEAT AND IT HAD A BURN HOLE ON IT ABOUT 1/2-1" IN SIZE. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I DIDN'T TURN IT OFF IF THIS HAPPENED IN ABOUT 3 MINUTES? *TR
MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 580 EASTBOUND IN LIVERMORE, CA. OTHER DRIVERS WERE FLAGGING ME TO PULL OVER. MY CAR IS TOTALLY DESTROYED. IT TOOK 3 FIRE TRUCKS AND 1500 GALLONS OF WATER AND FOAM TO PUT OUT. THERE WAS JUST UNDER 1/2 TANK OF GAS. *TR
I WAS TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS COLD SO I TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER AND IN ABOUT 5 MIN. WE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND IT WAS COMING FROM MY DOOR SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE SMOKE WAS PRETTY HEAVY, I WAS ALSO FEELING A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEFT SIDE. I TURN TO TAKE A LOOK AND THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND IT CAUSED A BURN THROUGH THE SEAT, DAMAGING MY CLOTHING. I TURNED OF THE SEAT WARMER AND STOPPED THE CAR AND TOOK THE KIDS OUT FOR SOME TIME. I WAS TO SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR FROM THAT POINT ON. I AM IN TALKS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE SEAT. I HAVE ALSO GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEE IF ANY COVERAGE CAN BE ADDED TO REPLACE MY SEAT. MY CAR HAS ALL ORIGINAL PARTS AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE (NEUTRAL) EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN D AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON STOP LIGHT, CAR LOST THE POWER AND I HAD TO ACCELERATE CAR HARD TO MAKE IT MOVE AND STILL DIDN'T MOVE FINALLY I HAD TO RESTART IT, RESTARTING THE CAR SOLVED THE PROBLEM BUT IT WOULD COME BACK ONCE YOU ARE ON HIGHWAY SPEED, THIS CAN SERIOUSLY CAUSE THE ACCIDENT AS YOU CANT CHANGE THE LANE AS YOUR VEHICLE LOSSES THE POWER AND IT SLOWS DOWN AND COUPLE OF TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD BOOM SOUND CAUSING THE VEHICLE SPEED TO SLOWED DOWN IN VERY SHORT SPAN OF TIME, AND IF THE DRIVER BEHIND MY CAR HAS SHORT DISTANCE HE\SHE MIGHT END UP HITTING BACK OF THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A SILENT MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S-B-27.00/120 RAISED BY MERCEDES DATE APR 8 2011 FOR CHANGING THE VALVE BODY CONDUCTOR PLATE IN 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION, WHERE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR 2007-2008 MODEL GL450 BUT MERCEDES GOT AWAY WITH IT. THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY CONCERN AND HIDDEN TRUTH FROM CUSTOMERS. I WOULD REQUEST YOU TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE ON FORUMS WHO HAD THE SAME ISSUES FOR THESE 2 YEAR MODELS SOME GOT THE FREE FIX AS THEY WAS UNDER WARRANT AND SOME HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET, THERE WERE FEW INSTANCES WHERE THIS CONDUCTOR PLATE FAILED WITHIN 5-45000 MILES. *TR
THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE LATCH BROKE. WE NORMALLY HAVE A CHILD SEAT BUCKLED INTO THAT BELT. BUT WE WERE ON A TRIP, AND I WAS THE ONE USING THIS SEAT BELT. I COULD NOT LATCH IT, AND FOUND THAT A CHUNK OF THE PLASTIC HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BELT AND WOULD NOT LATCH. MERCEDES AND MY EXTENDED PROTECTION PLAN WILL NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT A COST. OF APPRX 170.00 I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH A SAFETY DEVICE IN ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED, AND I BELIEVE THAT A CAR THAT COSTS OVER 80,000.00 WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHY IT HAS FAILED. I AM GRATEFUL THAT MY GRAND CHILD WAS NOT BUCKLED INTO THIS BELT! *JS
MY MB GL450 2007 CARS HORN STARTED TO RANDOMLY GO OFF FOR NO REASON MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, ONCE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, SECOND TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SCARED OTHER MOTORIST TO PULL OVER. ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE IT STOP WAS TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE CAR. WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR THE HORN STARTED AGAIN, TURNED OFF, TURNED ON DROVE TO REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THE SPRING FOR THE HORN HAD WARN OUT AND THE ELECTRONIC CONSOLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHOT. TOLD ME YOU CAN'T ORDER THE PART ANYMORE BECAUSE IT WAS DISCONTINUED, SO, WE HAVE TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW STEERING WHEEL FOR $1,200 PLUS $600 IN LABOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC JACK HOLDER HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WHILE IT WAS ELEVATED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 09/18/13*LJ THE DEALER AGREED THE DESIGN WAS FLAWED, BUT MERCEDES WAS NOT HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL.
MERCEDES GL450 THE FRONT END STARTED RIDING LOW AFTER DRIVING IT AND WOULD THEN ADJUST ITSELF, WHICH WAS VERY NOTICEABLE NOT THE MINUTE AMOUNT IS SUPPOSED TO DO JUST FOR AERODYNAMICS. THEN IT STARTED OUT LOW FROM A PARKING POSITION AND ONCE ON THE ROAD IT WOULD RAISE A LITTLE TO WHERE IT WAS DRIVABLE THAT WENT ON FOR TWO DAYS I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT INSPECTED AND ON THE THIRD DAY THE FRONT END JUST LOWERED ITSELF AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS VERY UNSTABLE JUMPED UP AND DOWN BECAUSE OF TBE GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND BACK I WAS DRIVING ON A ONE LANE ROAD ON A MOUNTAINOUS REGION WHICH IS WHERE I LIVE AND HAD NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. I MADE IT AFTER DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A 45 MPH ZONE, FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUTS THAT WERE LEAKING AND TOLD ME THIS CAR WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I NEED YOU TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS O BELIEVE IT IS A HAZARDOUS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE! *TR
I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND TURNED ON MY HEATED SEATS AS THE SEATS BEGIN TO WARM UP I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE I WAS ITCHING ON MY BACK IN THE AREA OF MY FAR ON MY LEFT SIDE AND I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS BURNING I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF MY HEATED SEATS AND THEN NOTICED THAT I WAS STUCK TO THE SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT AT CAUGHT FIRE THERE WAS AN APPARENT HOLE IN THE LEATHER ON THE LEFT RIGHT SIDE OF MY DRIVER SEAT WHERE IT WAS BURNING. THIS WAS SCARY AND ALARMING BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO IGNITE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR WITH SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE SEAT. A SMALL FLAME WAS ALSO VISIBLE. THE CONTACT PERSONALLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,366. *TR
DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT, CAR WOULD SUDDENLY STICK IN GEAR, NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN OTHER THAN AFTER TURNING IT OF. RESEARCHED THIS; SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. HAD NO TIME TO GET IT FIXED THAT DAY, NEXT DAY GOT INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT (OTHER DRIVER NEGLECTED STOP SIGN) WANTED TO SPEED UP TO AVOID COLLISION, BUT CAR DID NOT SHIFT DOWN OR ACCELERATE. COULD NOT AVOID COLLISION. AFTER BODY WORK, CAR WOULD STILL HAVE SAME SHIFTING ISSUE. DEALER FOUND OUT WAS FAILING CONDUCTOR PLATE AND VALVE BODY OF THE TRANSMISSION.
2007 GL 450 DOES NOT SHIFT, PULLED OUT IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST GOT HIT, WITH SMALL MOVEMENT 5MPH TOP SPEED. STOP AT LIGHT ON HILL AND TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO RE ENGAGE TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CONDUCTOR PLATE SENSOR. SAFETY ISSUE? I THINK SO. *TR
THE VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN A GEAR LOW OR HIGH AND WILL NOT GET OUT OF THAT GEAR UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A FAMILY THAT IS EITHER MERGING ON TO THE HIGHWAY OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES AND MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. YOU DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS STUCK IN A GEAR UNTIL YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, IT EITHER WILL BE IN 1ST GEAR OR A HIGH GEAR 5-6? AND WILL ACCELERATE VERY SLOWLY. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH SEAT CAUSING SMOKE AND HOLE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES TO A HOUR ON CRUISE CONTROL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN Y CRUISE CONTROL SENDS UP A ERROR MESSAGE N CUTS OUT THEN MY TRANSMISSION DROPS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 6TH GEAR AND WOULD GET STUCK AND I CAN'T SHIFT IT AT ALL. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN MY OF THE CAR TURN IT BACK ON JUST SO THE TRANNY WOULD SHIFT NORMAL. ANOTHER 30 MIN OR SO IT DOES IT AGAIN N I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCESS TO RESET MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A LOCAL ROAD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT SHIFT UP A GEAR. I IMMEDIATELY GOT INTO THE NEAREST PLAZA AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND WAS NOT LOCKING INTO A GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ALREADY. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. I COULD HAVE ALSO DAMAGED INTERNAL COMPONENTS IN MY SUV. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO NOT SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR GOING UP A HILL.. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THIS HAPPENED ANOTHER 10 TIMES AND THEY SAID IS A INTAKE FLAP NOT CLOSING PROPERLY AND THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW ITS HAPPENING SO OFTEN IM AFRAID TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON ACCOUNT THAT EVERY TIME IT STOPS SHIFTING WHEN I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND LOSE ALL POWER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG BURNING ODOR FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT THEN FELT HER SKIN BURNING. THE CONTACT COASTED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND DISCOVERED THAT HER CLOTHING WAS BURNED AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START HOWEVER, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A WARNING CHIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A FLUID FLUSH AND REPLACING THE POWER STEERING SEAL, STEERING COLUMN MODULE, WIRING HARNESS, AUXILIARY BATTERY AND TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT AN OIL CHANGE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. KMJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A WHISTLING AND RUMBLING SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO STEERING OR BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,700.
HORN STARTS HONKING BY ITSELF. WILL SOUND FOR 30 SECONDS OR MORE AND THEN STOP. OTHERWISE THE HORN DOES NOT WORK.. HORN CONTINUES TO RANDOMLY SOUND WHILE DRIVING. VERY UNSAFE AS IT STARTLES OTHER DRIVERS. TOOK TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN HORN SENSOR. HOWEVER TO FIX, THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL. TOTAL PRICE IS $1300 WITH LABOR. AT THIS PRICE IT WILL BE A WHILE BEFORE IT CAN BE FIXED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. A GOOGLE SEARCH TURNED UP SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS FORMS. AT THE $1,300 COST, THERE MUST BE SEVERAL MERCEDES GL 450 'S DRIVING AROUND WITH FAULTY HORNS. *TR
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE HORN INTERMITTENTLY GOES OFF AND WILL NOT STOP. MUST TURN OFF THE CAR TO GET THE HORN TO STOP SOUNDING. THEN, MUST TURN ON THE CAR AND TURN OFF THE CAR A FEW TIMES TO MAKE IT STOP UNTIL IT ALL STARTS HAPPENING, RANDOMLY, AGAIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY STEERING WHEEL SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE ISSUE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF. THE COST FOR AN IDENTICAL FACTORY WOOD STEERING WHEEL (WHICH IS WHAT THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH) IS $3,000; IF WE OPTED FOR A LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD THE COST WOULD BE $1500. THE OTHER WORKAROUND IS TO PULL THE FUSE AND NOT HAVE A HORN AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT COST THIS MUCH TO HAVE A STEERING WHEEL SWITCH REPLACED! THIS IS ESSENTIAL, BASIC EQUIPMENT, AND STARTING HAPPENING ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. HAVE CONTINUED TO FOLLOW-UP WITH DEALER TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OR IF THEY WILL FIX, BUT MERCEDES IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR
SPEED CONTROL BECAME NULL DURING ACCELERATION AT 72 MPH. DURING THE TIME OF ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION MADE AN ODD SOUND THEN SPEEDOMETER MOVED FROM 72 MPH TO 35 MPH IN JUST SECONDS AND CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPH REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER HEATED SEAT BUTTON DEPRESSED ON THE DASH. APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES HAD ELAPSED WHEN SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE SMOKE CONTINUED AS THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE ON THE FRONT LEFT PANEL OF THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT. THE FIRE PROJECTED THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT ABOUT TWO INCHES IN DIAMETER. DRIVER'S SWEATER WAS SINGED BY THE FLAME. *TR
I WAS DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WITH SEAT HEATER ON WHEN I FELT BURNING ON LEFT SIDE OF MY LOWER BACK. I FELT THE SEAT AND IT WAS VERY HOT AND MELTING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF, BUT I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT STOP. THE SEAT BEGAN TO COOL, BUT I SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, I LOOKED AND SAW A BURN IN THE SEAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY; THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ACTED VERY SURPRISED AND CONCERNED ABOUT MY SEAT, AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN PROBLEM BEFORE. THEY HAD ME SET UP A SERVICE APPOINTMENT, THE APPOINTMENT RECEPTIONIST SAID "HOW STRANGE- WE HAD A CALL YESTERDAY ABOUT A GL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM" I HAD MY SERVICE APPOINTMENT TODAY. AFTER INSPECTING THE GL, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM IN MY SEAT WAS DUE TO WEAR. THEY SAID THAT IT IS THE SIDE THAT I ENTER THE CAR AND I MUST HAVE WORN IT DOWN, AND THAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION WHICH LEAD TO MY SEAT GETTING OVERHEATED AND MELTED. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE SEAT OR THE PROBLEM. THEY DID DISCONNECT THE SEAT HEATER. I AM SHOCKED BY THE MB SERVICE. THERE IS ONLY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR, AND TO INSINUATE THAT THE WAY I GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IS ABSURD. MB NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ADMIT TO THE DANGER THAT GL OWNER ARE EXPOSED TO. I AM A LOYAL COSTUMER WHO HAS OWNED SEVERAL MERCEDES. I AM A MOTHER OF 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, I WAS SO RELIEVED THAT THEY WERE NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I SENSED THE HEAT BEFORE THERE WAS A FIRE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN SEATED A LITTLE MORE TO THE RIGHT OR WEARING A HEAVY COAT I MIGHT NOT HAVE FELT THE MELTING TILL I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN GREAT DANGER. I THINK THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE DESIGN THAT POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF ANY GL OWNER. TOMORROW I WILL CONTACT AN ATTY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY CAME TO A HALT. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS RELATED TO INTERNAL DAMAGE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY CAM SHAFT LOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 01/25/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBIT A STRONG PLASTIC ODOR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RELEASED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT-- CAUSED BY TIMING CHAIN AND SPROCKET WEAR-- COMMON ISSUE WITH MANY MERZ OF THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. *TR
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. 90 MINUTES LATER ENGINE FIRE BEGAN THAT NEARLY BURNED DOWN MY GARAGE AND HOUSE. NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTICED IN THE CAR 60 MINUTES AFTER PARKING. FIRE OCCURRED 60 TO 90 MINUTES AFTER PARKING. *TT
AIRMATIC FAILURE FRONT SUSPENSION MANY TIMES SINCE 2007 FOR GL 450 WARRRANY REPLACEMANT IN 2008 , 2009 AND NOW AGAIN IN 2011. *TR
AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE: INITIAL FAILURE - FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILED - LOWERED COMPLETELY WHERE TIRES WOULD APPEAR TO CONTACT WHEEL WELL. DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM SECOND FAILURE - LEFT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION LOWERED, THE REMAINING THREE DID NOT LOWER ITSELF. THE CAR DRIVES AT AN ODD ANGLE WITH LEFT FRONT END POINTING TO THE GROUND. AGAIN THE TIRE APPEARS TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WELL. RIDE IS ROUGH. *TR
MERCEDES BENZ GL 450 2007. STEERING GOT LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. LATER THE DEALER FOUND OUT IT BECAUSE OF STEERING PUMP PRESSER WENT DOWN. MERCEDES SERVICE WAS NOT HELPFUL ON THIS. I WAS LUCKY THAT NOT MUCH CARS ON THE ROAD WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPEN. *TR
MECHANICAL FAILURE FOR THE TRUCK'S LIFTGATE. LIGHT FLASHED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. WILL NOT TURN OFF NOW, GETTING IT CHECKED TOMORROW. *TR
I HAD BEEN NOTICING THAT THE FRONT OF MY CAR HAD BEEN DROPPING DOWN AND RISING UP SPONTANEOUSLY. WHEN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK DROPPED DOWN THE CAR BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY BOUNCE UP AND DOWN TO THE POINT THAT I NEARLY HIT MY HEAD ON THE ROOF. THE CAR WAS BARELY DRIVABLE UNTIL IT ROSE UP AGAIN. ON 2/18/2011 I PULLED MY TRUCK OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE DROPPED DOWN AND WOULD NOT RISE UP AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE AIR STRUTS WERE GONE. THE RIGHT SIDE HAD EXPLODED. HE CONTACTED MANY OF HIS PRIOR EMPLOYEE'S WHO WORK AT MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TOLD HIM THEY HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART. THEY EVEN HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK DUE TO THE DEMAND. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF I OR MY WIFE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND THIS OCCURRED, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ROLLOVER. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY POWERSTEERING LOCKING UP WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL.. MY MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE AND A RECURRENT PROBLEM PART. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY AND IT TURNS OUT THIS IS THE FARTHEST FROM IT. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY DRIVER'S SEAT REPLACED BY MERCEDES AS IT BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER NEARLY CATCHING MY WIFE'S COAT ON FIRE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
I OWN A MERCEDES GL450 THE FRONT END STARTED RIDING LOW AFTER DRIVING IT AND WOULD THEN ADJUST ITSELF, WHICH WAS VERY NOTICEABLE NOT THE MINUTE AMOUNT IS SUPPOSED TO DO JUST FOR AERODYNAMICS. THEN IT STARTED OUT LOW FROM A PARKING POSITION AND ONCE ON THE ROAD IT WOULD RAISE A LITTLE TO WHERE IT WAS DRIVABLE THAT WENT ON FOR TWO DAYS I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT INSPECTED AND ON THE THIRD DAY THE FRONT END JUST LOWERED ITSELF AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS VERY UNSTABLE JUMPED UP AND DOWN BECAUSE OF TBE GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND BACK I WAS DRIVING ON A ONE LANE ROAD ON A MOUNTAINOUS REGION WHICH IS WHERE I LIVE AND HAD NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. I MADE IT AFTER DRIVING AT 10MPH ON A 50 MPH ZONE WITH 10 CARS IN BACK OF ME! THE SHOP TOLD ME IT WAS THE TWO FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUTS THAT WERE LEAKING AND TOLD ME THIS CAR WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I NEED YOU TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS O BELIEVE IT IS A HAZARDOUS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
LEFT FRONT TIRE(MICHELIN LATITUDE 165/60R18) BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON FRIDAY,JAN 28,2011. *TR
I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY GL 450 SEAT WARMER TURNED ON IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE & THOUGHT IT WAS FROM OUTSIDE. I OPENED MY WINDOW, AND SMOKE STARTED SWIRLING INSIDE MY CAR AND STARTED GETTING THICKER WITHIN MINUTES. I PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE STREET CURB, TURNED MY IGNITION OFF AND DISCOVERED A MELTED HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER BURNING & SMOKING. THE SWEATER I WAS WEARING ALSO HAD A MELTED HOLE IN IT. THE HOLE IN THE CAR IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. WE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE HERE IN SAN DIEGO, AND WERE JUST TOLD TO BRING IT IN ON MONDAY - IT HAPPENED ON THURS. MORNING. SO WE ARE WAITING FOR MONDAY, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AND WANT TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT, DUE TO THE EXTREME SAFETY FACTOR OF THE SITUATION, BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT AGENCIES TO CONTACT. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BEEN A MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT WAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL FIRE. THANK GOODNESS I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE CAR. THANK YOU *TR
DRIVER'S SEAT TURNING FROM GRAY TO YELLOW TO BROWN. WIFE AND I NOTICED BURNING SMELL WHILE USING SEAT HEATER AND NOTICED SEAT IS BURNED. NOTIFYING MERCEDES BENZ. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD FIRST POWER DOWN AND THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF BEFORE STALLING. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROMISED TO CALL THE CONTACT BACK WITH SOME ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL 450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY COLLAPSED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS NO SPACE BETWEEN THE TIRE AND THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I TURNED ON MY IGNITION AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO DRIVE. I TRAVELED ABOUT 500 FEET AND STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY NEIGHBOR'S FIREPLACE, SO DROVE LESS THAN 1 MILE BEFORE I FELT INTENSE HEAT ON MY LEFT SIDE AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE SEAT. UPON EXITING THE CAR, I SAW THAT MY SEAT WAS ON FIRE. I TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT BUTTON AND THE SMOKE AND FLAME DISSIPATED AND THEN DROVE RIGHT TO THE DEALER, WHO ACTED LIKE IT WAS NO BIG DEAL WHATSOEVER AND SAID THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE WIRING AND IS CAUSED FROM WEAR AND TEAR ON THE WIRING FROM GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I ENCOUNTERED AN MB S320 OWNER WHO CAME IN AT THE SAME TIME I DID WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE US FOR THE REPAIR BUT WE TOLD HIM TO TALK TO HIS MANAGER BECAUSE WE WERE CALLING THE NEWSPAPERS OR THEY WERE GOING TO COVER IT. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE HEAT ELEMENT AND THE SEAT BACK BUT REFUSED TO DEAL WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEY HAVE ORDERED THE PART AND ARE SUPPOSED TO CALL US IN 3-4 DAYS WHEN THE PART COMES IN BUT WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS. THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I'M SHOCKED THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T DISABLE THE HEATING MECHANISM BEFORE WE LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS AND DOG WHO MAY HAVE TROUBLE ESCAPING A FIRE THAT MAY VERY LIKELY HAPPEN. ALSO, ONCE THE REPAIR IS MADE (USING THE SAME PROTOCOL AS THE CURRENT DEFECTIVE WIRING), SINCE THE CAUSE OF THE SHORT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED, THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN ANOTHER 2 OR SO YEARS. *TR
I WAS ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER FOR SCHOOL. I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING THEN I STARTED FEELING A BURN ON MY SEATING AREA. I PULLED OVER LUCKY I WAS NEXT FIRE DEPARTMENT, MY DAUGHTER AND I GOT OFF THE CAR AS WE GOT OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. EVERY ONE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT, THEY DISABLED THE SEAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES GL450. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CLANKING NOISE. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN LOCKED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE CONTROLS FOR THE FRONT POWER SEATS. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE CORRECTLY AND THE MANUFACTURER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE DOORS SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. ALSO, THE FRONT DRIVER?S DOOR WAS IMPROPERLY ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED ABOUT TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,500.
2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450, DID ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT DEALER, ONLY 36000 MILES, THE 'BRAKE WEAR' MESSAGE JUST CAME UP ON THE CONSOLE. DEALER CHECKED AND SAID ALL BRAKE PADS, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. SO ONLY 36K MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, WHEN THE BRAKE SENSOR JUST INDICATED 'BRAKE WEAR' PROBLEM, NOT ONLY ALL PADS ARE BAD, BUT ALSO THE ROTORS WERE DAMAGED ALREADY? IT SEEMS TO BE DEFECT OF BRAKE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE BRAKE SENSOR. *TR