2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other GL450 years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 10th of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450. That ranks 10th out of 11 GL450 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (5 complaints, 38%), typically at around 24,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 13owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 38% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 23% | 35 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 15% | 22,529 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 8% | 40,058 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 8% | 40,058 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 8% | 3,500 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Communication
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:front
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 system
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.
Electrical system:software; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Suspension:front:control arm:upper arm
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic Bluetec, GL450 4Matic, and GLE450 Coupe 4Matic vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that connects the upper control arm and the axle stub may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: The loose bolt may cause improper wheel tracking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the bolt connecting the upper control arm and the axle stub on the affected vehicles, replacing the upper control arm if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. 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.
Panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattered at some time between 2/4/26 and 2/5/26. Car was fine when I drove on 2/4/26 and parked at home at approximately 4:30p (still light outside). I got in car next day 2/5/26 at approximately 5:45p (when dark outside). Heard slight air/wind noise as pulled out…
Tailgate sometimes opens while driving. It sometimes takes many attempts to reclose it from the outside of car. It will not reclose using the electronic button on the door. The alert comes on on the dashboard and its extremely dangerous as luggage can fall out. This happened while highway driving…
Coolant Reservoir Hose Blew out on my 2016 GL450 Mercedes Benz.
The contact owned a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated when he parked the vehicle and went into a business, he returned within 5 minutes and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was already notified and arrived on the scene, then extinguished the fire with water. The…
Air Conditioner always make musty / moldy odor. Many forums says that is a common problem all across Mercedes models and it causes allergic reaction resulting in sneezing all the time when a/c is on. Problem is especially bad for my kids who have environmental allergy like mold/mildew. This…
Other Mercedes-Benz GL450 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 GL450 | 1 | 2 |
| 2016 | 13 | 5 |
| 2015 GL450 | 18 | 3 |
| 2014 GL450 | 21 | 3 |
| 2013 GL450 | 37 | 3 |
| 2012 GL450 | 47 | 3 |
| 2011 GL450 | 55 | 3 |
| 2010 GL450 | 42 | 3 |
| 2009 GL450 | 15 | 3 |
| 2008 GL450 | 55 | 2 |
| 2007 GL450 | 115 | 2 |
See all Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes-Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
Owners most often report unknown or other, seats, engine problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 5 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other GL450 model years, the 2016 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.