repaired · 2026 Q1
Power assist: vacuum
Do not driveRisk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2012 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.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 13, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has problems
8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
1Electrical system
1Exterior lighting
1Service brakes
1Structure1 crash/fire/injury
1Wheels1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2012 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.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Power assist: vacuum
Do not driveRisk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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…
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
2012 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What GL550 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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.
TL* 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…
Own a 2012 GL550?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.