2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Feb 24, 2023 · 4 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other GL350 years
Not enough data 7th of 9 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350. That ranks 7th out of 9 GL350 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 25%), typically at around 30,000 miles. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System1 · ~30,000 mi
Exterior Lighting1
Seat Belts1 · ~16,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control1 · ~30,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System125%30,000——
Exterior Lighting125%———
Seat Belts125%16,000——
Vehicle Speed Control125%30,000——
Visibility/wiper125%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 2 complaints
2017: 2201722018: 1201812023: 120231

n = 4 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

CommunicationNov 1, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles

Problem: 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: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Suspension:frontApr 27, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Steering:electric power assist systemApr 11, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V241000 · 58,323 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classification; air bags:frontalDec 15, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V903000 · 47,799 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Visibility/wiper · received Feb 24, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11508928

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…

Exterior Lighting · received May 6, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11092093

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…

Seat Belts · received Dec 4, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11052207

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…

Electrical System · received Nov 8, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11044392

Other Mercedes-Benz GL350 years

← 2015 GL350 · 2017 GL350 →

See all Mercedes-Benz GL350 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350?

Owners most often report electrical system, exterior lighting, seat belts problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other GL350 model years, the 2016 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.