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2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-298 the manufacturer reports only 3% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 3%Owner complaints62 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage83kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 9, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags30
Engine10
Service brakes, air11
Service brakes, hydraulic11
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

3%repaired · 2026 Q1

Power assist: vacuum

Do not drive

Recall 24V-298 · Apr 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehicles · 439 repaired

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

43%repaired · 2025 Q4

Power assist: vacuum

Do not drive

Recall 22V-315 · May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehicles · 149,456 repaired

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2026 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-081 · Feb 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles · 464,166 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other GL550 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GL550 median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL550, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What GL550 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) IN MID OCTOBER OF 2017 AND WAS WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE PART. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES, 14199 PINES BLVD, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027,…
Complaint 11112440 · Jul 19, 2018
IT'S TAKING TOO LONG TO GET THESE AIRBAGS REPLACED! NEWS REPORTS CONTINUE TO REPORT ON INJURIES AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO GET FIXED AND TAKATA IS NOT ABLE TO MEET THE DEMAND WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO PRODUCE NEW AIR BAGS FOR NEW CARS? WHERE IS NHTSA PRIORITIES HERE? I HAVE 4 CARS THAT ALL NEED…
Complaint 10934428 · Dec 10, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. DUE TO THE TAKATA RECALL, THE VALUE OF MY CAR HAS DIMINISHED BY APPROXIMATELY $5-6K, RESULTING IN ME BEING UPSIDE DOWN ON MY LOAN. I AM NOW STUCK DRIVING MY FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT SELL WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT LOSS.
Complaint 10915616 · Oct 12, 2016 · 83,200 miles

Own a 2009 GL550?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.