Spontaneously exploding panoramic sunroof: I was driving northbound on I-5 in Everett, WA, on 27 January 2023 around 7pm. It was clear, the road was dry, it was around 45 degrees, and there was medium traffic. We were going about 65mph. Just myself and my 4 year old daughter were in the car. With no warning and no visible reason there was a gunshot-like sound and then wind (and a crying daughter). I figured out that it was the rear panel of our two-panel sunroof and glass was sprinkling down. Luckily the sunshade roller was holding much of it. We pulled over and checked it out and that is it. Nobody was injured, but there was glass all over my daughter and in her car seat. facts: -2016 GL350 Mercedes; 59500 miles, excellent shape, two-panel panoramic sunroof (front sliding; rear fixed in place) -I have a Packasport 90 rooftop box on low profile Whispbars that covers the entire sunroof with only about a 1.5" gap over the rear glass panel -the box has been on the roof for at least 3 years and the sunroof has not been operated in that time -there have been no modifications to the car besides the rooftop box -it is very, very, very unlikely that a rock could've hit it (although the dealer and insurance don't really want to hear this) -the temperature was normal for January -the highway was smooth and clean and dry -the glass was cratered upward after breaking (may not mean anything) -I was not following a dump truck or a logging truck -I didn't see or hear any rocks or debris in the split second before the breakage My assessment is that the glass shattered of its own accord. I do not know why, but I have seen reports of this on the internet in auto forums.
The worst 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Visibility1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Visibility1
Recalls 4
Communication
- What is wrong
- 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:
- Risk
- An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
Recall number 19V787000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 18V272000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, E400 4Matic Coupe, GL63 AMG, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic and GLE63S AMG Coupe 4Matic vehicles, 2017 E300 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles, and 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic BlueTec, GL450 4Matic, and GL550 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.
- Risk
- If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing the rack as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 17V241000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic Bluetec, GL550 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe, GLE450 4Matic, 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, and 2017 GLS63 AMG vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, to May 10, 2016. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration may be incorrect, and as a result, the system can incorrectly classify the occupant as a child seat, deactivating the front passenger air bag.
- Risk
- If the front passenger air bag does not deploy as necessary in the event of a crash, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 16V903000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 75
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC will provide an Extended Modification Warranty for each vehicle that has received...
- Engine
- Visibility/wiper
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time
- A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially...
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements...
- The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note: Deactivation of the...
What 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The exterior lighting on the vehicle provided is significantly inferior in intensity and distance illuminated. It is very hard to see an object after few feet and night driving becomes extremely dangerous. At night it is unsafe to drive this vehicle, without being able to see the passing cars or people and following is the report from iihs on the illumination results, which were tested to be poor. Http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/mercedes-benz/gle-class-4-door-SUV/2018 I contacted the mb USA office and the informed me this is as per design and there is nothing they can do. I sincerely recommend the federal safety agency to look into this issue and conduct some investigation into it. This will prevent any fatality or serious crash.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz gl350. While driving 65 MPH, the front passenger seat belt failed to retract after the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to edhicks mercedes (3102 s padre island dr, corpus christi, tx 78415), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. The VIN was not provided. Consumer stated he had braked hard and his wife was thrown against the dashboard, both were wearing their seabelts. Vin invalid updated 9/13/18
On september 6 2017 my mercedes cluster panal (odemeter) stopped working while driving. Which then I made an appointment with the dealership and they replaced the odometer which then failed again hours after picking up the car. After replacing it 3 times under warranty I'm still experiencing the same issue. I contacted mercedes customer service and they ain't addressing the issue properly and has stopped calling me back regarding this matter. I have been out of a car since september 6,2017 till today with no loaner vehicle from mercedes. I was forced to rent a car under my own expense while still making the lease payments on the mercedes that is not safe to drive since I'm not able to know speed, gas, gear I'm in etc..
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Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350, fewer than a typical GL350 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350?
Acceleration and speed control, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 have?
4 recalls, covering communication, suspension and steering.
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