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2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 is airbags. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical GL550 model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
15
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
68
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    12
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    12
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Recalls 3

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported April 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V‑315.

Recall number 24V298000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Recall number 22V315000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 16V081000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550

Defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 68

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 68 bulletins for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550

What 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 14, 2025 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V315000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while reversing, the brake pedal was depressed with an abnormal hissing sound coming from the brake pedal. The contact stated that the sound was audible since the vehicle was purchased in 2019. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact received a vehicle compliance letter from the manufacturer, which stated that a mobile mechanic could be sent to the residence to inspect the vehicle, and the dealer would offer tow service. However, when the dealer was contacted, the dealer refused to assist the contact with the tow service or a mobile mechanic. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle remained at the residence and had not been driven due to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked while accelerating. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no failure was found. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V496000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Electrical · CA

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.

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Airbags · VA

2011 mercedes benz gl550. Consumer writes in regards to driver side airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the parts were not available upon arrival to the dealership for recall repair to be completed. The consumer stated it was a 220 mile drive to have the recall completed the consumer requested that the vehicle be picked up and returned by mercedes.

Filed May 24, 2019 · Airbags · MA

Mercedes has not provided a resolution to the recall for several years.

Filed Jun 12, 2018 · Airbags · CA

Takata recall. Dealer says mercedes still has not issued parts, and can not fix it. It has been known for a couple of years now.

Filed Apr 23, 2018 · Airbags · CO

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz gl550. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-benz of littleton (8070 s broadway, littleton, co) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Nov 19, 2017 · Airbags · 69,000 miles · MA

Takata recall - its been over a year and nothing has been done about this. The online system says that the part is not available. The dealer would not take the car in as a trade as they said they cant sell it.

Filed Nov 8, 2017 · Airbags · CA

Takata recall...why is no one able to help me. My airbags have been recalled and I keep getting tossed around and no one is claming responsibility. The reason I purchased a mercedes is for safety of my family of five. What do I do to get this fixed?

Filed Nov 2, 2017 · Airbags · CA

Takata recall. My car is on the "high risk" list of cars that need to have the airbags replaced, but I have contacted the dealer twice and both times I was told not to call again because they would contact me when replacement were available. When I told them that I do not feel safe driving my car (especially with my kids inside), I was told that they have not had any fatalities 'yet' and it is ok to keep driving with the faulty airbag.

Compare the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550

Other model years

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Questions about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550

Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reliable?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550, 1.9 times a typical GL550 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550?

Airbags, with 12 complaints. Next is brakes (1).

How many recalls does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have?

3 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 16V081000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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