There were numerous Engine Oil Leak Recalls by Mercedes-Benz. There was a recent recalls announced in 2023, however, my vehicle 2014 GL450 with now about 50K miles, was not included in the list. Since there have been engine oil leaks problem reported and recalls, I'd like to report my car engine oil leaks problem too. It seems that the engine oil leaks problem is a "design" issue and across many car models and years made by Mercedes-Benz. With that said, it make safety sense to have the recalls extended to those cars with engine oil leaks problem reported. Below is information from dealer diagnostic report on engine oil leaks problem, "Valve Cover Re-seal: FRONT TIMING COVERS RECOMMENDED RESEAL SIPING OIL BOTH SIDES Item Description During a vale cover reseal, the valve cover is scraped and cleaned of any old residue, before a layer of silicone sealant is applied to the cover and then reattached to the head of the engine. Reason If not resealed or replaced, the valve cover will leak oil resulting in a burning smell coming from the vehicle’s engine. A loss of oil over time can result in harmful damage of the engine's internal components."
The worst 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine7
- Electrical3
- Visibility3
- Brakes2
- Transmission2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine7
- Electrical3
- Visibility3
- Brakes2
- Transmission2
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Wheels1
Recalls 3
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
Child seat: latch strap
- What is wrong
- Mercedes Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014 GL350 BlueTEC 4Matic, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic, and GL63 AMG vehicles manufactured November 4, 2013, through November 15, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the foldable second row seat bottom may not fold down low enough to allow proper use of the child seat achors. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
- Risk
- Without the use of the lower anchor points, a child restraint may be insufficiently or improperly anchored to the seat, increasing the risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat pan of the second row seat, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 14V158000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 82
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- 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...
- After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the...
What 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On this Engine 166 model, I experience noise when Idling and when driving, coming from Engine with no code to indicate what is the problem of the car. This create the heat of the Engine to go up than normal and make the fan to run at high speed. When I call dealer, they told me its common problem on these Engine 166, and I need new Engine. I wanted to get second opinion from different Dealership and I got same answer, its common problems and I need new Engine or to Rebuild. I went online and I ask few people with same car Make, model and year, and the have same problems. My concern is only Dealer knows what is the issue but they don't want to inform Consumer what is the problem, instead they tell Consumer to replace the Engine, We don't how bad it is for safety. The problems it cannot be diagnosed because it doesn't produce any codes to indicate the problem. The noise continue until you turn off the Engine
There is a recall on some of the make & models of my truck with different years but, my truck has been having the same issue & I believe that myself & my family may be at risk. The recall states that if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam & leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap. The leaking of oil in the presence of ignition source can increase the risk of fire. I have been having to add two quarts of oil to my car every month for almost a year & there has been no oil in my driveway at all. The oil is going somewhere & I would like for my truck to be put on the recall list & have this issue addressed. My brakes also seem to have an unexplainable issue. Most times they're perfect but, sometimes they vibrate very hard when stopping no matter how fast or slow I'm going at the time. When I get them checked, I'm told that they're fine. I read a recall about the brakes as well.
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who also determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
It has makes sound noise and timing chain tension is made very poor not safety , also warming blibd spot frozen not working, display electric poor damage byself tomve fix timing dealer wants 15,000$ to be fix more then value of the suv
Car got a check engine for failed turbochargers at 71000 miles. Mercedes refused to acknowledge and get the problem addressed.
Our vehicles computerized self-diagnostic system (OBD) registered faults.
Front drivers side (Front Left) Aluminum wheel rim is cracked and will not hold tire pressure. We loose about 10 psi per day because of it. Now we have to replace this rim at significant cost. However, that's not the main issue. The main issue is whether this is a manufacturing defect that has put our lives at risk since 2014 (bought it brand new) until now in 2023 - over 9 years. The tire dealer Firestone discovered the crack and let us know. Yes, available for inspection. Yes, safety has been put at risk. Yes, confirmed by local Firestone Tire near us. Insurance may inspect it, we are calling them tomorrow as they are closed now. Tire pressure light went on, and has been on for awhile. But who would have thought to inspect rim, it is steel, and should not have cracked. Friends of mine say that it is possibly an OEM defect as Aluminum cast wheels should not do this. This car has never been in a moderate or serious crash. Fender benders sure, but nothing involving the tires.
Oil leaking and wicking into camshaft position sensors, camshaft magnets, O2 sensors, engine wiring harness and ultimately, the ECU is destroying all electronic components connected to the engine causing misfiring and seizing. The issue is quite prevalent via internet research as potentially thousands of owners all experience the same issue. Our local Mercedes Benz dealer indicated this issue "just popped up" immediately outside the warranty period (1 yr) for our used purchase, and would require a replacement of the camshaft, sensors, magnets, and wiring harness to the tune of $14,000. This is a design flaw of the engine that placed these components in locations predisposed to contact with engine oil. The root cause of the oil leak is unknown and even Mercedes Benz can not tell why the oil is leaking on these components. If this issue is so prevalent with thousands of owners with the GL450's, as evidenced by internet searches via Mercedes Benz fan sites, why has no service bulletin or recall been instituted? The overall issue is starting to cause issues with the safety features of the vehicle as well, with alerts (driveline assist, etc) either misfiring or not going off at all.
After picking up children from school, I was driving out of the parking lot down a slow-speed arterial road (35 mph posted speed limit). Roughly 30 seconds after reaching the posted speed limit we heard a loud bang (like a gunshot) and immediately pulled over. The middle section of the panoramic sunroof had shattered. Upon examination on the side of the road there was no apparent impact spot or item in the roadway that would have indicated that particular section of the roof had been struck by anything (no rock, branch, brick, etc), nor were there any other vehicles in the vicinity that might have kicked up an object to hit the roof and nothing else. The sunroof appears to have spontaneously shattered without warning. The temperature outside was moderate (roughly 60 degrees) and the car had been driven earlier in the day without incident. A police report was filed for potential vandalism and I'm currently waiting for the insurance company to contact me to discuss and inspect.
Compare the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450
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Questions about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450
Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 reliable?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450, fewer than a typical GL450 model year.
What is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 year score?
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GL450: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
Engine and cooling, with 7 complaints. Next is electrical (3).
How many recalls does the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 have?
3 recalls, covering communication, suspension and child seat.
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