2009 Mercedes Benz GL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Visibility is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 100.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 1 |
Visibility: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 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 |
Under 25,000: 1; 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
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
2009: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10256101 · 2009-01-23 (January 23, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ G550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOG SYSTEM WIRING IN THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS COVERED WITH A SQUIZZLE LINE. WHEN HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE SYSTEM, THE WINDSHIELD LOOKS LIKE A DISCO BALL MOVING IN CIRCLES. THE FOG SYSTEM AFFECTS THE LIGHTING AND GLARE OF THE HEADLIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE GLARE OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER; THEREFORE, NOTHING …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256101 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
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.
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 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 266.7%ODI 10424127 · 1,460 miMY HUSBAND WAS GOING ON HIS THIRD DEPLOYMENT, HE DID NOT WANT ME TO HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEM, SO WE SPENT ALMOST 70K FOR A BRAND NEW 2011 MERCEDES GL BLUE TECH. HOWEVER, LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND 1460 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING DURING A TURN, IT ALMOST KILLED ME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER (VALLEY MOTOR MERCEDES, HUNT VALLEY , MD )AND THE MERCEDES, THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS HAPPENED, THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CAR. THEY DID NOT CARE THE FACT I WAS SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR EITHER, THEY CHARGE S… |
| Visibility | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10256101 · 200 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ G550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOG SYSTEM WIRING IN THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS COVERED WITH A SQUIZZLE LINE. WHEN HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE SYSTEM, THE WINDSHIELD LOOKS LIKE A DISCO BALL MOVING IN CIRCLES. THE FOG SYSTEM AFFECTS THE LIGHTING AND GLARE OF THE HEADLIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE GLARE OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER; THEREFORE, NOTHING … | 125.0%ODI 10444697 · 19,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL470. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING A SNOW STORM WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE EXTREMELY THIN AND COULD NOT REMOVE THE SNOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS ALSO ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TOO CONTINUOUSLY STOP THE VEHICLE, EXIT AND CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER FOR HER TO HAVE CONTINUED VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10429298 · 1,436 miIN LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND LESS THAN 1,500 MILES, THE BRAND NEW SUV'S STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING DURING THE TURN, THE BELT , THE PULLEY AND THE TENSIONER WERE BROKEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *KB |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 125.0%ODI 10336564 · 53,000 miENGINE ALMOST STALLS WHEN COLD. TOOK TO DEALER, DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. IT IS BETTER BUT STILL NOT RESOLVED. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 125.0%ODI 10397848 · 12,760 miTHIS IS A DIESEL-ENGINE 2010 MERCEDES GL350 PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2010 (8 MONTHS AGO). IT IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER IS CITING COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM CORROSION DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS A CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE GOING TO "LIMP MODE" (WHERE THE COMPUTER KEEPS THE CAR AT 20 MILES PER HOUR WITH LOW POWER - A DANGER ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON HILLS). FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY DUE TO THE ONSET OF LIMP-MODE. BUT THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $15,492.03 AND WARRANTY IS BEING DEN… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10232929TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOST POWER. THE CONTACT SWAYED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED. THE V… | 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. |
| Power Train | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10508175 · 79,500 miWHILE DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES TO A HOUR ON CRUISE CONTROL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN Y CRUISE CONTROL SENDS UP A ERROR MESSAGE N CUTS OUT THEN MY TRANSMISSION DROPS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 6TH GEAR AND WOULD GET STUCK AND I CAN'T SHIFT IT AT ALL. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN MY OF THE CAR TURN IT BACK ON JUST SO THE TRANNY WOULD SHIFT NORMAL. ANOTHER 30 MIN OR SO IT DOES IT AGAIN N I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCESS TO RESET MY TRANSMISSION. *TR | 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. |
| Seats | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10439844 · 68,800 miI WAS DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WITH SEAT HEATER ON WHEN I FELT BURNING ON LEFT SIDE OF MY LOWER BACK. I FELT THE SEAT AND IT WAS VERY HOT AND MELTING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF, BUT I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT STOP. THE SEAT BEGAN TO COOL, BUT I SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, I LOOKED AND SAW A BURN IN THE SEAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY; THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ACTED VERY SURPRISED AND CONCERNED ABOUT MY SEAT, AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SE… | 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. |
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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Too few reports for a range | 200 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10256101 · 200 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ G550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOG SYSTEM WIRING IN THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS COVERED WITH A SQUIZZLE LINE. WHEN HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE SYSTEM, THE WINDSHIELD LOOKS LIKE A DISCO BALL MOVING IN CIRCLES. THE FOG SYSTEM AFFECTS THE LIGHTING AND GLARE OF THE HEADLIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE GLARE OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER; THEREFORE, NOTHING … |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | 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.
2010: 4 complaints · 2011: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
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 | Visibility |
|---|---|
| Visibility | — |
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.