MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 · model year

2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350

22 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010MERCEDES-BENZGL350 carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 GL350 is air bags with 6 filings, followed by engine (3) and service brakes (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2010 GL350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

22
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

22 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS6
ENGINE3
SERVICE BRAKES2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
STEERING:COLUMN1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recent Complaints

20180822STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS THE X164 CHASSIS HAS A REAR FIXED PANORAMIC SUNROOF THAT IS MADE OUT OF POLYCARBONATE. THE POLYCARBONATE SUNROOF GLASS IS BREAKING DOWN ON THE INSIDE OF THE PANEL AND IS CRACKING. THIS POSES A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE IT CRACKS AND DEGRADES TO A CERTAIN POINT IT WILL BREAK. IF THIS PANEL BREAKS WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT CAN FLY OFF THE VEHICLE IN TURN HITTING CARS BEHIND ME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE OTHER SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN IT BREAKS IT MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OF MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD BE SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A BODY SHOP AS WELL AS THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND THEY HAVE AGREED THAT IT IS CRACKING AND IS BREAKING DOWN STRUCTURALLY SPEAKING AND THAT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT BREAKS. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF, BUT WHEN. I ALSO HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT POLYCARBONATE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THE FACT THAT BETW

Mileage: 102,000

20180822UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS THE X164 CHASSIS HAS A REAR FIXED PANORAMIC SUNROOF THAT IS MADE OUT OF POLYCARBONATE. THE POLYCARBONATE SUNROOF GLASS IS BREAKING DOWN ON THE INSIDE OF THE PANEL AND IS CRACKING. THIS POSES A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE IT CRACKS AND DEGRADES TO A CERTAIN POINT IT WILL BREAK. IF THIS PANEL BREAKS WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT CAN FLY OFF THE VEHICLE IN TURN HITTING CARS BEHIND ME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE OTHER SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN IT BREAKS IT MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OF MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD BE SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A BODY SHOP AS WELL AS THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND THEY HAVE AGREED THAT IT IS CRACKING AND IS BREAKING DOWN STRUCTURALLY SPEAKING AND THAT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT BREAKS. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF, BUT WHEN. I ALSO HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT POLYCARBONATE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THE FACT THAT BETW

Mileage: 102,000

20180503AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20180327CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS A RESULT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO BOTH ARMS, MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN AND A BROKEN RIGHT FOOT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,132.

Mileage: 117,132

20171227AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG DEFECTIVE

20171114AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (CENTENNIAL IMPORTS MERCEDES-BENZ, 30550 W. NAVY BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20171107AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL VERY CONCERNING THAT MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THE AIRBAG RECALL YET THE AIRBAG MFR HAS FILED FOR CHAPTER 11. I WANT THIS RESOLVED AND CORRECTED SO I CAN FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR!

20170814AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20160203UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS CAR HAS A OIL COOLER LEAK AFTER OUR OIL CHANGE AT THE MERCEDES DEALER WE STARTED HAVING AN OIL LEAK AND THE MERCEDES DEALER TOLD US IT'S THE OIL COOLER LEAK.

Mileage: 76,000

20151010ENGINE

THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD, " THE AD BLUE TANK IS CORRODED." I HAVE ALWAY FUELED WITH DISEL RECOMMENDED BY MERCEDES. HOW CAN TANK GET CORRODED SO EARLY. I SUSPECT FAULTY IN THE MANUFACTURING. I REQUEST YOU TO DO NECESSARY INVESTIGATION INTO IT. I HAVE HEARD SIMILAR INCIDENT ABOUT FAULTY AD BLUE TANK FROM MANY OTHERS ON FORUM: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/GL-CLASS-X164/396987-2010-GL350-BLUETEC-FUEL-SYSTEM-CORROSION-BIG-PROBLEM.HTML

20151010FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD, " THE AD BLUE TANK IS CORRODED." I HAVE ALWAY FUELED WITH DISEL RECOMMENDED BY MERCEDES. HOW CAN TANK GET CORRODED SO EARLY. I SUSPECT FAULTY IN THE MANUFACTURING. I REQUEST YOU TO DO NECESSARY INVESTIGATION INTO IT. I HAVE HEARD SIMILAR INCIDENT ABOUT FAULTY AD BLUE TANK FROM MANY OTHERS ON FORUM: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/GL-CLASS-X164/396987-2010-GL350-BLUETEC-FUEL-SYSTEM-CORROSION-BIG-PROBLEM.HTML

20150811ENGINE

AFTER A LONG TRIP WITH THE 2010 MERCEDES GL350 BLUETEC, I NOTICED FRESH OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I TOOK THE GL350 TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY AFTER, AND THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT OIL UNDER THE ENGINE. FEW DAYS AFTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK THE GL350 IN FOR A CHECK, AND ANOTHER MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER SEAL IS BROKEN CAUSING THE OIL LEAK. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH MERCEDES OM642 ENGINE IN MY GL350.

Mileage: 65,000

20150811POWER TRAIN

AFTER A LONG TRIP WITH THE 2010 MERCEDES GL350 BLUETEC, I NOTICED FRESH OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I TOOK THE GL350 TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY AFTER, AND THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT OIL UNDER THE ENGINE. FEW DAYS AFTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK THE GL350 IN FOR A CHECK, AND ANOTHER MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER SEAL IS BROKEN CAUSING THE OIL LEAK. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH MERCEDES OM642 ENGINE IN MY GL350.

Mileage: 65,000

20150623ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWELVE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,848. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Mileage: 37,848

20150623SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWELVE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,848. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Mileage: 37,848

20140225FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

AFTER EXTENSIVE REVIEWS OF TDI FORUMS, COMMON RAIL FORUMS, DIESEL FORUMS I HAVE FOUND A COMMONALITY IN THE FAILURES IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP). MAINLY THOSE FAILURES WERE ATTRIBUTED TO METAL SHAVINGS/PARTICLES/RUST FOUND IN DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS ARE USUALLY RUSTED IN EACH CASE AND MOST LIKELY IS THE SOURCE OF METAL/RUST CONTAMINATION AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE OF THE HPFP FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE HPFP CAUSES THE CR TO LOSE PRESSURE THEREFORE THE INJECTORS ARE STARVED OF FUEL OR WORSE CLOGGED WITH RUSTED METAL PARTICLES. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF FUEL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN INSTANTLY ALONG WITH POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. DEPENDING ON THE RESERVE VACUUM VOLUME IN THE BOOSTER, CONSUMERS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH VACUUM TO ADEQUATELY BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL VERY HEAVY AND THE CONSUMER MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. I WROTE TO MBUSA NOTING THIS CAUSE AND URGED THEM TO INVESTIGATE

Mileage: 49,000

20140214FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

ABOUT A WEEK AGO I BOUGHT DIESEL FUEL FROM A TRUCK STOP IN LONG BEACH, NOT MY USUAL PURCHASE FROM MY LOCAL GAS STATION. ONE WEEK LATER I GET A MESSAGE TO CHANGE MY FUEL FILTER AND GOT A TROUBLE CODE INDICATING A LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE. I HAD THE FILTER CHANGED AND EXPERIENCED HARD STARTING LATER ON. THE OLD FILTER HAD WATER AND SOME ALGAE CONTAMINATION WHICH IS VERY COMMON IN DIESEL ENGINES. I SUSPECTED WATER FROM THE TRUCK STOP WHERE I GOT FUEL FROM AND TRIED TO REMOVE IT USING A DIESEL ADDITIVE, SEA FOAM. STARTING MY CAR GOT WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD NO LONGER START. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY CLAIM I BOUGHT BAD FUEL AND THE ADDITIVE RUINED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. NOW THE DEALER IS CLAIMING MY CAR NEEDS THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED INCLUDING THE INJECTORS, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, ALL THE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, FUEL TANK, LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, AND FUEL SENSOR, WITH ESTIMATED COST OF $15,000+. NHTSA HAS IDENTIFIED T

Mileage: 49,000

20130930ENGINE

I HAVE BEEN NOTICING AN INCREASING SMALL LEAK IN ENGINE OIL ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. RECENTLY I SAW A VERY LARGE PUDDLE WHILE PARKED AT A LOT AND HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO NEAREST DEALER. DEALERSHIP ADVISED REPLACING OIL COOLER AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM PARTS. I BELIEVE IF I HAD NOT NOTICED LEAK/PUDDLE, ENGINE MAY HAVE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, ON MANY MB FORUMS, THE OIL COOLER IS IMPLICATED AS THE CULPRIT FOR A LARGE OIL LEAK. *TR

Mileage: 46,213

20130605ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FRACTURED STEERING COLUMN, WATER PUMP LEAK AND ENGINE OIL LEAK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AT 11,763 THE STEERING COLUMN JACKET TUBE COVERING MOUNT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED BINDING AND WEAR ON THE SURROUNDING TRIM. THE COVERING AND TRIM WERE REPLACED. AT 26,163 THE WATER PUMP AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THEN AT 50,548 MILES, AN ENGINE OIL LEAKED DEVELOPED FROM THE OIL COOLER, R&R TURBO CHARGER, R&R LEFT AND RIGHT CHARGE AIR MANIFOLDS. ALL OF THE SEALS WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 11,763

20130605STEERING:COLUMN

2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FRACTURED STEERING COLUMN, WATER PUMP LEAK AND ENGINE OIL LEAK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AT 11,763 THE STEERING COLUMN JACKET TUBE COVERING MOUNT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED BINDING AND WEAR ON THE SURROUNDING TRIM. THE COVERING AND TRIM WERE REPLACED. AT 26,163 THE WATER PUMP AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THEN AT 50,548 MILES, AN ENGINE OIL LEAKED DEVELOPED FROM THE OIL COOLER, R&R TURBO CHARGER, R&R LEFT AND RIGHT CHARGE AIR MANIFOLDS. ALL OF THE SEALS WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 11,763

Compare 2010MERCEDES-BENZGL350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 have?
The 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 has 22 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350?
The most-complained component for the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 is AIR BAGS with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.