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Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 21 safety complaints about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 7 complaints, 33% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 56,000 miles, the median across the 10 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2014 to April 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

21 complaints on file

21

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 7 · 33%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 · 14%
VISIBILITY 3 · 14%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 10%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 5%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 · 5%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 · 5%
SEATS 1 · 5%
STRUCTURE 1 · 5%
SUSPENSION 1 · 5%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 21.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 3.

4 3 2 1
14 15 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

COMMUNICATION

19V787000 · November 1, 2019

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
The risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 24,226 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

SUSPENSION:FRONT

18V272000 · April 27, 2018

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
The risk
The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 9,725 vehicles across all model years covered

CHILD SEAT:LATCH STRAP

14V158000 · March 31, 2014

The defect
Mercedes Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014 GL350 BlueTEC 4Matic, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic, and GL63 AMG vehicles manufactured November 4, 2013, through November 15, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the foldable second row seat bottom may not fold down low enough to allow proper use of the child seat achors. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
The risk
Without the use of the lower anchor points, a child restraint may be insufficiently or improperly anchored to the seat, increasing the risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat pan of the second row seat, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 69 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STRUCTURE:BODY

towed · 57,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, SEVERAL MESSAGES DISPLAYED REGARDING THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE, TRANSMISSION, AND THE VEHICLE BEING INOPERABLE. ALSO, SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FEATURES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WORLD WIDE MOTORS INC. (3900 EAST 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN VEHICLE WIRE HARNESS WAS DAMAGED DUE TO WATER THAT DRAINED FROM THE SUN ROOF INTO THE PANELS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA complaint 11244201. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 108,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who also determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA complaint 11590445. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
There were numerous Engine Oil Leak Recalls by Mercedes-Benz. There was a recent recalls announced in 2023, however, my vehicle 2014 GL450 with now about 50K miles, was not included in the list. Since there have been engine oil leaks problem reported and recalls, I'd like to report my car engine oil leaks problem too. It seems that the engine oil leaks problem is a "design" issue and across many car models and years made by Mercedes-Benz. With that said, it make safety sense to have the recalls extended to those cars with engine oil leaks problem reported. Below is information from dealer diagnostic report on engine oil leaks problem, "Valve Cover Re-seal: FRONT TIMING COVERS RECOMMENDED

NHTSA complaint 11654331, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
On this Engine 166 model, I experience noise when Idling and when driving, coming from Engine with no code to indicate what is the problem of the car. This create the heat of the Engine to go up than normal and make the fan to run at high speed. When I call dealer, they told me its common problem on these Engine 166, and I need new Engine. I wanted to get second opinion from different Dealership and I got same answer, its common problems and I need new Engine or to Rebuild. I went online and I ask few people with same car Make, model and year, and the have same problems. My concern is only Dealer knows what is the issue but they don't want to inform Consumer what is the problem, instead

NHTSA complaint 11634146, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
There is a recall on some of the make & models of my truck with different years but, my truck has been having the same issue & I believe that myself & my family may be at risk. The recall states that if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam & leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap. The leaking of oil in the presence of ignition source can increase the risk of fire. I have been having to add two quarts of oil to my car every month for almost a year & there has been no oil in my driveway at all. The oil is going somewhere & I would like for my truck to be put on the recall list & have this issue addressed. My brakes also seem to have an

NHTSA complaint 11628855, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
It has makes sound noise and timing chain tension is made very poor not safety , also warming blibd spot frozen not working, display electric poor damage byself tomve fix timing dealer wants 15,000$ to be fix more then value of the suv

NHTSA complaint 11572841. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Car got a check engine for failed turbochargers at 71000 miles. Mercedes refused to acknowledge and get the problem addressed.

NHTSA complaint 11561039. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz GL450

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 13 5 —
2015 18 3 —
2013 37 3 —
2012 46 3 —
2011 55 3 —
2010 42 3 —

Other 2014 Mercedes-Benz models

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 227 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst