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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2006–2011

Mercedes-Benz GL recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 12 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz GL, covering model years 2006 to 2011. The 2010 model year drew the most complaints (4), and Fuel System, Gasoline is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercedes-Benz GL VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 12 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (2006–2011)
  • most complaints: 2010 (4 for that model year)
  • top component: Fuel System, Gasoline (2 complaints)
  • latest recall 11V496000 (reported Oct 3, 2011)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (8.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz GL complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2010 model year has the most complaints: 4 of 12, or 33.3%. Next come 2007 (3) and 2011 (3). The fewest are for 2009, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz GL owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2007–2011Column chart of 12 complaints across 5 model years. The highest is 2010 with 4. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2007: 3 complaints320072008: 1 complaint120082009: 1 complaint120092010: 4 complaints420102011: 3 complaints32011
Mercedes-Benz GL complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz GL complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200730010
200810000
200910000
201040000
201130000
All model years120010

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz GL components

top 11 · NHTSA categories

Fuel System, Gasoline is the component named most often, in 2 complaints (16.7% of all 12), followed by Steering (2) and Visibility (2).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz GL complaints (top 11)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz GL complaints (top 11)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline216.7%
Steering216.7%
Visibility216.7%
Electrical System18.3%
Engine and Engine Cooling18.3%
Power Train18.3%
Seats18.3%
Structure18.3%
Suspension18.3%
Tires18.3%
Vehicle Speed Control18.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercedes-Benz GL recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name GL, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2006 to 2011. The 2008 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Mercedes-Benz GL recall campaigns covering each model year
2006: 2 campaigns2007: 2 campaigns2008: 3 campaigns2009: no campaigns2010: no campaigns2011: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 11V496000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Diesel

    Model year 2011

    Mercedes-Benz usa (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2011 vehicles including e-class (212 platform), manufactured from July 2010 through February 2011, r-class (251 platform), manufactured from April 2010 through April 2011, ML-class (W164 platform), manufactured from January 2010 through March 2011, GL-class (X164 platform), manufactured from March 2010 through March 2011, and model year 2012 s-class (221 platform) vehicles. The diesel fuel filter may leak from the area around the heating component.

    Consequence:
    Diesel fuel may be deposited onto the highway and create the potential for a crash.
    Remedy:
    Mbusa will contact owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the diesel fuel filter if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2011. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz usa at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 10V540000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Other › Fuel Filter

    Model year 2011

    Mercedes Benz is recalling certain model year 2011 m-class, model W164, GL-class, model X164, e-class, model W212, r-class, and model V251VEHICLES. The o-ring may not have been properly lubricated in all cases. Lack of lubrication can lead to leakage of the fuel filter.

    Consequence:
    Diesel fuel may be deposited on roads and making those roads slippery, increasing the potential for a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the fuel filters free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010. Owners may contact Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372. This campaign has been superseded. Please see recall campaign 11V-496.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 08V682000

    Reported

    Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System

    Model year 2008

    Mercedes-Benz is recalling 577 MY 2008 GL-class, m-class, and r-class vehicles. A defect may exist in the driving pin used to control the oil pressure of the power steering.

    Consequence:
    If a defective driving pin exists in a vehicle and the pin breaks during normal vehicle turning, the normally available hydraulic support function will no longer function and steering wheel operation will be limited.
    Remedy:
    Mercedes-Benz will replace the steering gears. The recall began on January 28, 2009. Owner may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 08V242000

    Reported

    Trailer Hitches

    Model years 2006–2008

    Mercedes-Benz is recalling 52,740 MY 2006-2008 GL and ML class vehicles equipped with flex-n-gate trailer hitch. Some of the weld seams connecting the trailer hitch receiver to the attachment bar used to secure the trailer hitch to the body frame do not meet performance specifications.

    Consequence:
    This may result in the traile rhitch receiver separating from the attachment bar, creating a road hazard which may lead to a vehicle crash. The trailer hitch must not be used for any purpose until it has been repaired.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will repair the trailer hitch. The recall began on June 16, 2008. Owenrs may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 08V006000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel

    Model years 2006–2008

    On certain passenger vehicles equipped with diesel engines, the crankshaft sensor could fail due to separation of bond wires from the lead frame in the sensor. This results in an interruption in the electrical connection in the chip housing of the sensor.

    Consequence:
    When this happens, the vehicle may lose power rather than enter a limp-home mode. In addition, the vehicle cannot be restarted after failure of the electrical connection in the sensor, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor. The recall began on February 4, 2008. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercedes-Benz GL questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz GL have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercedes-Benz GL, covering model years 2006 to 2011. The most recent, 11V496000, was reported on October 3, 2011 and is filed under “Fuel system, diesel”. The 2008 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Mercedes-Benz GL model year has the most complaints?

The 2010 model year, with 4 of the 12 complaints in NHTSA’s file (33.3%). The next are 2007 (3) and 2011 (3). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz GL complaint?

Fuel System, Gasoline is the component named most often: 2 complaints, or 16.7% of all 12. Steering (2) and Visibility (2) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercedes-Benz GL?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

How many Mercedes-Benz GL complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 12 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder with every Mercedes-Benz model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercedes-Benz models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.