CSR

Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

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

14

Complaints

1

Crashes

3

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 have filed 14 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2018 and December 2025. The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 3 of them (21%). The typical failure was reported at 8,000 miles, the median across the 7 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

22V365000 · May 20, 2022

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
The risk
A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · up to 242,722 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

21V058000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
The risk
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · up to 1,292,258 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

18V539000 · August 16, 2018

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.
The risk
Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080013.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 9,044 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 14.

SERVICE BRAKES 3 21%
SUSPENSION 3 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 14%
ENGINE 2 14%
STRUCTURE 2 14%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 7%
POWER TRAIN 1 7%
SEATS 1 7%
STEERING 1 7%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 4.

2018 2025
2018 to 2025

In owners' own words

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

fire · towed · 200 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED UPON REACHING A HILL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS (3300 JAMBOREE RD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660, (949) 718-3000). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA complaint 11118382. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · towed · 15,000 miles

The contact owned a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS450. The contact stated that after turning the ignition switch off, the driver suddenly discovered flames were coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA complaint 11436804. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

January 2023 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. December 2024 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. April 2024: First brake failure. The brakes stopped while driving. Repaired. April 2025: Second brake failure. Brakes failed again. Repaired. The mechanic stated the line was too close to the wheelbase, resulting in a pinpoint-sized hole. No warning lights. July 2025: Engine failure - the vehicle experienced a complete shutdown while driving with no warning lights. Vehicle in shop for 6-8 weeks for engine replacement by certified Mercedes mechanic. Post-engine replacement (July - Nov 2025) - Severe oil leaks at left cylinder head, small leaks

NHTSA complaint 11703281, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

I WAS ALREADY 90% IN PARKING LINE WHICH IS HANDICAP'S. ABOUT TO STOP RIGHT FRONT OF HANDICAP SIGN, SUDDENLY VEHICLE START MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS IN BRAKE SO I PUSH LITTLE HARD TO COMPLETE STOP BUT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD SMASHING INTO THE BUILDING GLASS ENTRY WALL AND DOOR. I AM SO CERTAIN THAT MY FOOT WAS IN BRAKE. I WANT TO KNOW THAT IS THERE ANY WAY SOMEONE CALL OR VISIT WHERE BODY SHOP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE SO I CAN ASK MANUFACTURE TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint 11353649. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
When attempting to rise/lower the automatic suspension, the compressor cooling notification pops up, followed by a malfunction. After this occurs, the vehicle is incredibly bumpy, to the point of it being unsafe to drive. The vehicle has been repaired twice already by the dealership under extended warranty and the condition has occurred a third time in less than three weeks. This is our family vehicle, and we cannot drive it due to the risk of shaken baby syndrome for our infant because of how much it bumps. Videos are available to show just how bad it is.

NHTSA complaint 11656041. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
This 2018 gls 450 has issues with suspension system. Bought this car in 2023 and using since Jna 2023 and suspension system failed like 3 -4 times. Mechanic changed the air compressor , valves and others and still the car has same issue. It used to lift the car to adequate height but the compressor keeps on pushing it to cause teh compressor to fail.

NHTSA complaint 11654511. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
Third row seat will not lock. Warning message came on several months ago. I brought the vehicle in for service in may of 2022 to Mercedes Benz of Westwood MA. They neglected to repair the issue with the seat and returned the car back to me with the safety issue still unresolved. I spoke with the dealer and Mercedes Benz USA and they refuse to repair the vehicle under warranty even though it was still covered under the factory warranty. [XXX], the service manager at the dealership informed me that the third row seat motor needs to be replaced in order for the seat to lock. He said it is a very common problem with my model vehicle and that is the reason why the manufacturer wont cover the

NHTSA complaint 11499082, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving our 2018 Mercedes GLS 450 down Highway 80 just outside Sacramento, CA, the stationary glass panel of our panoramic sunroof spontaneously explpoded. There was no impact by any outside force, it just shattered with the sound similar to a gunshot. Fortunately I did not lose control of the vehicle, and thankfully the sun shade was closed otherwise broken glass would have showered down into my vehicle. this happened in early evening (around 7:00PM and the ambient temperature was 66 degrees outside, so this had nothing to do with temperature either. Mercedes Benz told me that since I am 3 months outside of warranty they would do nothing to help us and I would need to have this

NHTSA complaint 11457706, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2021 30 12
2020 36 22
2019 22 4
2017 34 8

Other 2018 Mercedes-Benz models

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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