Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2009 Mercedes Benz GL550 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

6 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

94,600 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 4 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

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior116.7%

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.

Air Bags
3
Engine
1
Service Brakes, Air
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags3
Engine1
Service Brakes, Air1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems1

Air Bags: 3; Engine: 1; Service Brakes, Air: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems: 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
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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.

2015
1
2016
2
2018
2
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20151
20162
20182
20241

2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 2; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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 11613416 · 2024-09-09 (September 9, 2024)

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-02.

66.7%Usable mileage4 / 6 records
100.0%Valid incident date6 / 6 records
100.0%Valid filing date6 / 6 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 6 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
Component20082009
Steering
650.0%
ODI 10748150 · 32,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL550. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE BOTTOM BRACKET. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF BY REPLACING THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Look up ODI 10748150 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
18.3%
ODI 11767440 · 121,667 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 550. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle stopped. The brake failure and front passenger air bag warning lights later illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was a brake fluid leak in the air suspension system. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not a…

Look up ODI 11767440 at NHTSA ↗

350.0%
ODI 10915616 · 83,200 mi

TAKATA RECALL. DUE TO THE TAKATA RECALL, THE VALUE OF MY CAR HAS DIMINISHED BY APPROXIMATELY $5-6K, RESULTING IN ME BEING UPSIDE DOWN ON MY LOAN. I AM NOW STUCK DRIVING MY FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT SELL WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT LOSS.

Look up ODI 10915616 at NHTSA ↗

Engine
216.7%
ODI 11048387 · 111,000 mi

STATUS ' 4TH TIME TRYING TO REPAIR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ISSUE 'VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED DURING DRIVING FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH KIDS IN THE CAR ' COMPLETE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF STEERING AND DASHBOARD ILLUMINATES EVERY WARNING SIGNAL (SEE PICTURE BELOW) 'MERCEDES IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES FIXED THE CAR (SEE RECEIPT $4,600 IN REPAIRS) AND SUV CONTINUES TO STOP. SINCE THE 1ST INCIDENT, THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE THREE TIMES AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 60 DAYS THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED THE CEO'S OFFICE AND A REPRESENTA…

Look up ODI 11048387 at NHTSA ↗

116.7%
ODI 11130048 · 106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF DAYTONA BEACH (1188 N TOMOKA FARMS RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *TT CARFAX THE VIN PROVIDED HAS NO DISPLAYABLE RECORDS. UPDATED 11/28/18*JB

Look up ODI 11130048 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
216.7%
ODI 11048387 · 111,000 mi

STATUS ' 4TH TIME TRYING TO REPAIR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ISSUE 'VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED DURING DRIVING FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH KIDS IN THE CAR ' COMPLETE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF STEERING AND DASHBOARD ILLUMINATES EVERY WARNING SIGNAL (SEE PICTURE BELOW) 'MERCEDES IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES FIXED THE CAR (SEE RECEIPT $4,600 IN REPAIRS) AND SUV CONTINUES TO STOP. SINCE THE 1ST INCIDENT, THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE THREE TIMES AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 60 DAYS THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED THE CEO'S OFFICE AND A REPRESENTA…

Look up ODI 11048387 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
18.3%
ODI 11767440 · 121,667 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 550. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle stopped. The brake failure and front passenger air bag warning lights later illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was a brake fluid leak in the air suspension system. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not a…

Look up ODI 11767440 at NHTSA ↗

116.7%
ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
18.3%
ODI 11048387 · 111,000 mi

STATUS ' 4TH TIME TRYING TO REPAIR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ISSUE 'VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED DURING DRIVING FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH KIDS IN THE CAR ' COMPLETE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF STEERING AND DASHBOARD ILLUMINATES EVERY WARNING SIGNAL (SEE PICTURE BELOW) 'MERCEDES IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES FIXED THE CAR (SEE RECEIPT $4,600 IN REPAIRS) AND SUV CONTINUES TO STOP. SINCE THE 1ST INCIDENT, THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE THREE TIMES AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 60 DAYS THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED THE CEO'S OFFICE AND A REPRESENTA…

Look up ODI 11048387 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Exterior Lighting
18.3%
ODI 11315333

POWER STEERING WENT OUT 2014 CHARGED ME FOR IT. CLAIMED NO RECALLS. FRONT RIGHT HEADLAMP HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES. THIS WAS THE WHOLE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. DUE TO WATER GETTING CONTROL BOX WET. CLAIMED IT'S HOW THE HEADLAMP IS MADE. CLAIMED NO WARRANTY OR RECALL ON IT. 2016 & 2019

Look up ODI 11315333 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Air
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

116.7%
ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

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
Air BagsToo few reports for a range83,200 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10915616 · 83,200 mi

TAKATA RECALL. DUE TO THE TAKATA RECALL, THE VALUE OF MY CAR HAS DIMINISHED BY APPROXIMATELY $5-6K, RESULTING IN ME BEING UPSIDE DOWN ON MY LOAN. I AM NOW STUCK DRIVING MY FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT SELL WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT LOSS.

Look up ODI 10915616 at NHTSA ↗

EngineToo few reports for a range106,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11130048 · 106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF DAYTONA BEACH (1188 N TOMOKA FARMS RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *TT CARFAX THE VIN PROVIDED HAS NO DISPLAYABLE RECORDS. UPDATED 11/28/18*JB

Look up ODI 11130048 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, AirToo few reports for a range200,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, HydraulicToo few reports for a range200,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating SystemsToo few reports for a range83,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10783003 · 83,000 mi

I PURCHASED TIRES IN JANUARY 2015 , IN OCTOBER 2015, MY SIGNALL DISPLAYED CHECK TIRE PRESSURE. I HAD THE TIRE INSPECTED AN ROTATED AT PLACE OF PURCHASE. WITHIN WEEKS MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. I STOPPED AT THE NEAREST STATION AND WAS TOLD I HAD A CRACK IN THE INNER SIDE WALL. ON 10/15/2015 I RETURNED TO THE PLACE I PURCHASE THE TIRES. I EXPLAINED THAT I BELIEVED, THAT MY TIRE IS FAULTY. THE MERCHANT TOLD ME " YOU MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING, IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME ".. I EXPLAIN TO HIM THAT I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING, I HAD THE TIRE INSPECTED BY AN…

Look up ODI 10783003 at NHTSA ↗

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.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

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 22 reports

2008: 2 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008112
2009000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20081200
2009600

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
ComponentAir BagsEngineService Brakes, AirService Brakes, HydraulicTires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Air Bags—0000
Engine0—000
Service Brakes, Air00—
1
ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic00
1
ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

—0
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems0000—

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.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 200,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 200,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11613416 · 200,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 550.The contact stated that while driving at 15- 20 MPH, the driver in front of him was attempting to turn but swerved to the left in his lane, the brake pedal was applied but delayed to respond. The contact crashed into an unknown minivan. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The passenger occupant sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Th…

Look up ODI 11613416 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b