2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 recalls and problems

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has 3 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Urgent: recall 24V-298, recall 22V-315 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
3
Complaints
8
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 recalls

Recall 24V-298: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Do not driveReported Apr 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehicles affected · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 22V-315: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Do not driveReported May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehicles affected · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 16V-081: Air Bags

Reported Feb 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles affected · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags6
Structure1
Wheels1
Exterior Lighting1
Service Brakes1
Unknown or Other1
Electrical System1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 61,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Jan 13, 2025
I purchased a this vehicle at a dealership Laurel Ford as is no warranty for $14,000 and not even in a week of me having it the key fob was not working and it’s been giving me problems so now it’s not is not reading the ignition switch and it won’t turn on it’s not drivable, and I have small three kids. I love it but the headache I can’t deal. Please help!!!!
Service Brakes · reported Aug 3, 2022
This is relative to the brake booster recall. Mercedes-Benz conducted a test and there was significant corrosion that exceeded the normal limits allowed. I am still under a stop drive order but I have not been provided any further instruction or provided a vehicle to drive while my vehicle awaits repair or buy back.Customer service representatives have not corresponded with me despite multiple emails and calls over the last 2 -3 weeks. I need A vehicle repaired so it can operate safely or I need another vehicle to drive while awaiting available parts please.
Air Bags · reported Apr 29, 2019
The takata airbag recall defect has not been repaired on our mercedez for over 3 years now. We have not been able to resell it due to the recall, valuation has decreased as well due to the repair not being performed by the dealer. Should this have been done in a timely manner? It clearly was not.
Air Bags · reported Mar 31, 2017
The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v081000 (Air bags) and 16v061000 (Air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Exterior Lighting · at 61,000 miles · reported Mar 29, 2017
The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl550. While driving 15 MPH, the contact activated the rear driver side turn signal, but the signal failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the "light module" failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue the approximate failure mileage was 61,000. Updated 06/01/17

Other Mercedes-Benz GL550 years

Compare all Mercedes-Benz GL550 years · All Mercedes-Benz models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550: 24V-298 (service brakes, hydraulic), 22V-315 (service brakes, hydraulic), 16V-081 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550?

Owners report air bags problems most often (6 reports), followed by structure (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 61,000 miles.

Are Mercedes-Benz recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.