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2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 2011 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 complaints150 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage69kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 14, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has problems

15 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 bags120
Electrical system10
Fuel system, diesel10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

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

3 recalls

2011 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

2011 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 2011 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.

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…
Complaint 11244664 · Aug 19, 2019
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.
Complaint 11101420 · Jun 12, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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…
Complaint 11089631 · Apr 23, 2018

Own a 2011 GL550?

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