Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues1100.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System1

Electrical System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20251

2025: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11686071 · 2025-09-09 (September 9, 2025)

water intrusion into the spare tire well compartment and the battery compartment affecting the battery and starter.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11686071 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 1 records
100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20102011201220132014201520162017
Air Bags
266.7%
ODI 10959494

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/05/17*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS

Look up ODI 10959494 at NHTSA ↗

1280.0%
ODI 10918072

TAKATA RECALL - MERCEDES STILL DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS RECALL, WHICH WAS ISSUED IN MAY.

Look up ODI 10918072 at NHTSA ↗

675.0%
ODI 10863167 · 63,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL - I HAD HEAD-ON COLLISION ACCIDENT ON 02/03/2015, STEERING WHEEL AND LEG AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED, BUT CAUSED ME INJURY AFTER IT DEPLOYED TO MY HAND, FINGERS AND KNEES. ONCE LEG AIR BAD DEPLOYED, MY RIGHT KNEED HIT THE SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT AND CAUSED INJURY. MERCEDES DON'T INSTALL THIS SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE SEAT ANYMORE AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS FLAW IN DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THIS SWITCH AND NOW THEY CHANGED THE LOCATION OF SWITCH. THEY MIGHT HAVE FOUND SOMETHING IN THEIR TESTING. PLEASE SEE PICTURES OF MY INJURIES ON FING…

Look up ODI 10863167 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

16.7%
ODI 11517502

Intermittently car does not engage when key fob is inserted into eis (electric ignition switch) and turned. No dash lights turn on, car does not start. Car has turned off while driving. Car has remained running when key was removed. Key will lock and unlock doors and open hatch.

Look up ODI 11517502 at NHTSA ↗

112.5%
ODI 11635569

I purchased a this vehicle at a dealership Laurel Ford as is no warranty for $14,000 and not even in a week of me having it the key fob was not working and it’s been giving me problems so now it’s not is not reading the ignition switch and it won’t turn on it’s not drivable, and I have small three kids. I love it but the headache I can’t deal. Please help!!!!

Look up ODI 11635569 at NHTSA ↗

466.7%
ODI 11131960 · 62,686 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 80 MPH.THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ON THE SPEEDOMETER A MESSAGE STARTED TO BE DISPLAYED BLIND SPOT INACTIVE ,THEN PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS LIMITED ACTIVE LANE KEEP ASSIST UNAVAILABLE .ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CRUZ CONTROL FAILED. THEM THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED . THEN I STOPPED THE CAR WAITED FOR 10 MINS RESTARTED THE CAR THE SAME ERROR CAME AFTER DRIVING 300 MILES . THE FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE ACCIDENTS SINCE THE PERSON BEHIND ME DOESNT KNOW WHEN I AM CHANGING THE LANE. I HAD SMALL CHILDREN IN MY CAR A…

Look up ODI 11131960 at NHTSA ↗

110.0%
ODI 11672674

I recently purchased my Mercedes from Auto Boutique in Pearland, Texas [phone removed]. 1.The vehicle's air suspension system is constantly grinding, and moving/adjusting while being driven. It feels like the vehicles fame is off balance. 2. The back camera system does not work unless the radio is turned on; which is very alarming not to mention dangerous. 3. All the tires are registering improper inflation errors even though no air has been added or removed. I took the vehicle back to the place of origin; but they are not Mercedes Certifi…

Look up ODI 11672674 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 11686071

water intrusion into the spare tire well compartment and the battery compartment affecting the battery and starter.

Look up ODI 11686071 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

233.3%
ODI 11071696 · 50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SPUTTER, HESITATE, AND, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF ORLAND PARK, 8430 W. 159TH ST, ORLAND PARK, ILLINOIS) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO A FAULTY CYLINDER HEAD; HOWEVER, THE SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES NEEDE…

Look up ODI 11071696 at NHTSA ↗

220.0%
ODI 11537166

Tapping noise developed in the engine, after dealership inspection using borescope, scored cylinder walls were found, resulting to engine replacement. Please see: Lena Jamil, et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Case No: 2:22-cv-08130-FLA-AFM)

Look up ODI 11537166 at NHTSA ↗

450.0%
ODI 11470389

As I was driving down the freeway the whole vehicle caught on fire and we got out of the car and within 2-3 minutes while car was burned to ashes.

Look up ODI 11470389 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Unknown Or Other
133.3%
ODI 11566873

The third row seating Panorama Sunroof cracked. Now when it rains, water leaks inside the suv. Loud boom, cracking sound, was not sure what it was but was coming from rear of suv as I was driving yesterday afternoon. No warning lamps, messages, as it is the glass panorama sunroof located in the rear upper roof of the suv. I will take it to my AAA insurance representative this week. I will bring it to my independent MB certified mechanic shop for inspection. I have no idea what could have caused the panorama sunroof to crack other than perhaps m…

Look up ODI 11566873 at NHTSA ↗

16.7%
ODI 10948947

TAKATA RECALL IF MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS RECALL HOW COME A YEAR LATER I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS. THE RECALL STILL SHOWS NO REMEDY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AS THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND I DRIVE MY YOUNG KIDS EVERYDAY AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE. MERCEDES SHOULD BE ASHAMED. I WANT THIS MATTER FIXED ASAP. CERTAIN MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES AND ONE FCA MODEL ARE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAGS PROVIDED BY THE SUPPLIER TK HOLDINGS INC. ("TAKATA"). ON JANUARY 25, 2016 TAKATA FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT WITH NHTSA ANNO…

Look up ODI 10948947 at NHTSA ↗

112.5%
ODI 11635569

I purchased a this vehicle at a dealership Laurel Ford as is no warranty for $14,000 and not even in a week of me having it the key fob was not working and it’s been giving me problems so now it’s not is not reading the ignition switch and it won’t turn on it’s not drivable, and I have small three kids. I love it but the headache I can’t deal. Please help!!!!

Look up ODI 11635569 at NHTSA ↗

116.7%
ODI 10514220 · 2,550 mi

I WAS DRIVING FREEWAY 5N (12/20/12) ABOUT 200 MILES N OF LA WITH MY DISTRONIC PLUS SET FOR 79 MPH WHEN THE DISTRONIC QUIT CAUSING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. A CAR THAT WAS FOLLOWING (TOO) CLOSELY HAD TO BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING ME. I RECEIVED 3 ERROR MESSAGES SAYING DISTRONIC PLUS INOPERATIVE, ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST INOPERATIVE AND ACTIVE BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE. MY MANUAL HAS ERROR MESSAGES THAN CAN OCCUR BUT DID NOT SHOW THE ERROR MESSAGES I RECEIVED ON THE DASH READ-OUT. ON 1/9/13 THE DISTRONIC FAILED AG…

Look up ODI 10514220 at NHTSA ↗

110.0%
ODI 11160890 · 33,000 mi

I HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME. THE CAR WAS OFF AND I WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I OPENED THE DOOR BUT IT DIDN'T OPEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FIRST HINGE. MY HAND WAS IN THE DOOR AS IT SLOWLY STARTED TO CLOSE. THE DOOR CAUGHT SLIGHTLY AND THE SOFT CLOSE FEATURE ACTIVATED. MY THUMB WAS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND WAS CRUSHED AS THE DOOR SEALED COMPLETELY CLOSED WITH THE SOFT CLOSE FEATURE. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR DURING THIS TIME. I WAS YANKING ON THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO FREE MY THUMB BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN UNTIL THE SOFT CLOSE WAS CO…

Look up ODI 11160890 at NHTSA ↗

225.0%
ODI 10933757 · 2,200 mi

MY CAR HAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM. IT GENERATES A MOLD AND MILDEW SMELL WHILE USING THE AC AND HEAT. MERCEDES SAYS THEY NO OF THIS ISSUE BUT HAVE NO PERMANENT FIX. THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT IT IS ALMOST UN-DRIVABLE. MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS HAVE BULLETINS THAT DENOTE THE ISSUE IS KNOWN, BUT THEIR WORK AROUND ONLY TEMPORARILY IMPROVES THE SMELL. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS ENGINEERING ISSUE WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM THAT IS UNHEALTHY. THERE IS APPARENTLY THAT FORMS AROUND THE MOLD AROUND THE AC EVAPORATOR. MERCEDES HAS AN INTERNAL ALERT # TSB L…

Look up ODI 10933757 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

350.0%
ODI 11320867 · 91,500 mi

2013 MERCEDES ROUGH RUNNING AT IDLE, VARIOUS FAULTS STORED FOR INJECTOR QUANTITY COMPENSATION FOR CYLINDER BALANCING. FAULT CODE P1CWF-85. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME ON. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS FOUND THAT BOTH ENGINE BANK 1 AND 2 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE FULL OF OIL DUE TO FAILED INTERNAL PACKING OF SENSOR. INSPECTED INJECTOR CONNECTORS AND HAD OIL, O2 SENSORS CONNECTOR HAD OIL, POWER TRAIN CONTROL UNIT FULL OF OIL. IF ENOUGH OIL WAS TO FLOW THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE CONTROL UNIT AS SUCH THIS INSTANCE O…

Look up ODI 11320867 at NHTSA ↗

110.0%
ODI 11756541

Vehicle was parked on the driveway, brake sign came on upon start and system malfunction error showed on screen, vehicle started lowering automatically and Air compressor stopped working.

Look up ODI 11756541 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Steering
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

233.3%
ODI 11131960 · 62,686 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 80 MPH.THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ON THE SPEEDOMETER A MESSAGE STARTED TO BE DISPLAYED BLIND SPOT INACTIVE ,THEN PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS LIMITED ACTIVE LANE KEEP ASSIST UNAVAILABLE .ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CRUZ CONTROL FAILED. THEM THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED . THEN I STOPPED THE CAR WAITED FOR 10 MINS RESTARTED THE CAR THE SAME ERROR CAME AFTER DRIVING 300 MILES . THE FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE ACCIDENTS SINCE THE PERSON BEHIND ME DOESNT KNOW WHEN I AM CHANGING THE LANE. I HAD SMALL CHILDREN IN MY CAR A…

Look up ODI 11131960 at NHTSA ↗

220.0%
ODI 11104245 · 34,000 mi

DAIMLER AG, (DAG) THE MANUFACTURER OF MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES, HAS DETERMINED THAT ON CERTAIN GLE, GLS AND GLE COUP VEHICLES (166, 292 PLATFORM) WITH THE ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM (ACS), THE OIL IN THE ACS'S OIL RESERVOIR COULD START FOAMING UNDER DYNAMIC DRIVING SITUATIONS IN COMBINATION WITH AN OIL LEVEL BELOW MINIMUM. THE OIL FOAM MIGHT LEAK OUT OF THE OIL RESERVOIR THROUGH THE VENT HOLES IN THE SEALING CAP. DEPENDING ON THE ORIENTATION OF THE VENT HOLES IN THE SEALING CAP, LEAKING OIL COULD SPRAY ONTO HOT SURFACE COMPONENTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. …

Look up ODI 11104245 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 11477415

This is relative to the brake booster recall. Mercedes-Benz conducted a test and there was significant corrosion that exceeded the normal limits allowed. I am still under a stop drive order but I have not been provided any further instruction or provided a vehicle to drive while my vehicle awaits repair or buy back.Customer service representatives have not corresponded with me despite multiple emails and calls over the last 2 -3 weeks. I need A vehicle repaired so it can operate safely or I need another vehicle to drive while awaiting availabl…

Look up ODI 11477415 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

110.0%
ODI 11756541

Vehicle was parked on the driveway, brake sign came on upon start and system malfunction error showed on screen, vehicle started lowering automatically and Air compressor stopped working.

Look up ODI 11756541 at NHTSA ↗

112.5%
ODI 11762852

On 8/5/2026, the power boost on the vehicle was lost while at a nearby shopping center. Braking became very difficult and it was dangerous to drive even a little distance. There were no warning lights from the vehicle. We had it towed to an independent repair shop where they determined the brake booster had failed. They did a recall check and saw that it didn't apply to our specific vehicle. They repaired it which cost $2500. Later, we did research and found that there is an expanded recall, 22V315000, which includes our year, make, and model! …

Look up ODI 11762852 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

110.0%
ODI 11611751 · 104,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with leaky exhaust valves. The dealer determined that the exhaust valves needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a similar assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under TSB Number: 10233794. The manufacturer referred the…

Look up ODI 11611751 at NHTSA ↗

112.5%
ODI 11730215

See attached document for complaint.

Look up ODI 11730215 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-091None
ODI 11686071

water intrusion into the spare tire well compartment and the battery compartment affecting the battery and starter.

Look up ODI 11686071 at NHTSA ↗

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2016: 0 complaints · 2017: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2016000
2017000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2016100
2017000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentElectrical System
Electrical System—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.