MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 · model year

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550

11 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2014MERCEDES-BENZGL550 carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 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 2014 GL550 is steering with 2 filings, followed by engine (2) and seat belts (1). 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 2014 GL550. 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.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

11 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING2
ENGINE2
SEAT BELTS1
SEATS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
WHEELS1

Recent Complaints

20250711SUSPENSION

I recently purchased my Mercedes from Auto Boutique in Pearland, Texas (713) 352-0777. 1.The vehicle's air suspension system is constantly grinding, and moving/adjusting while being driven. It feels like the vehicles fame is off balance. 2. The back camera system does not work unless the radio is turned on; which is very alarming not to mention dangerous. 3. All the tires are registering improper inflation errors even though no air has been added or removed. I took the vehicle back to the place of origin; but they are not Mercedes Certified to address the issues. I am terrified to drive the vehicle, and it stays parked in the garage

20250711ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I recently purchased my Mercedes from Auto Boutique in Pearland, Texas (713) 352-0777. 1.The vehicle's air suspension system is constantly grinding, and moving/adjusting while being driven. It feels like the vehicles fame is off balance. 2. The back camera system does not work unless the radio is turned on; which is very alarming not to mention dangerous. 3. All the tires are registering improper inflation errors even though no air has been added or removed. I took the vehicle back to the place of origin; but they are not Mercedes Certified to address the issues. I am terrified to drive the vehicle, and it stays parked in the garage

20250711WHEELS

I recently purchased my Mercedes from Auto Boutique in Pearland, Texas (713) 352-0777. 1.The vehicle's air suspension system is constantly grinding, and moving/adjusting while being driven. It feels like the vehicles fame is off balance. 2. The back camera system does not work unless the radio is turned on; which is very alarming not to mention dangerous. 3. All the tires are registering improper inflation errors even though no air has been added or removed. I took the vehicle back to the place of origin; but they are not Mercedes Certified to address the issues. I am terrified to drive the vehicle, and it stays parked in the garage

20240830ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with leaky exhaust valves. The dealer determined that the exhaust valves needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a similar assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under TSB Number: 10233794. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

20240822ENGINE

Leaky exhaust valves

20240205STEERING

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and malfunction PP0 warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to steer the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that an independent mechanic facility was nearby, so the mechanic and the contact pushed the vehicle into the shop. The vehicle was diagnosed with failed cam shaft gear and lifters. The contact was informed that the cam shaft gear and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer previously because of an abnormal sound however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20230808ENGINE

Tapping noise developed in the engine, after dealership inspection using borescope, scored cylinder walls were found, resulting to engine replacement. Please see: Lena Jamil, et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Case No: 2:22-cv-08130-FLA-AFM)

20181212UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME. THE CAR WAS OFF AND I WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I OPENED THE DOOR BUT IT DIDN'T OPEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FIRST HINGE. MY HAND WAS IN THE DOOR AS IT SLOWLY STARTED TO CLOSE. THE DOOR CAUGHT SLIGHTLY AND THE SOFT CLOSE FEATURE ACTIVATED. MY THUMB WAS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND WAS CRUSHED AS THE DOOR SEALED COMPLETELY CLOSED WITH THE SOFT CLOSE FEATURE. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR DURING THIS TIME. I WAS YANKING ON THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO FREE MY THUMB BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN UNTIL THE SOFT CLOSE WAS COMPLETE. AS A RESULT MY THUMB WAS CRUSHED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS A DESIGN FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO SENSOR TO DETECT SOMETHING IN THE DOOR AS WELL AS NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AT ANY POINT DURING THE SELF CLOSE PROCESS PRESENTS MANY SAFETY ISSUES! I REACHED OUT TO MERCEDES DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID AFTER AN EVALUATION THAT THE VEHICLE WORKS THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED AND THAT THE DOOR COULD OPEN DURING ANYTIME OF THE SOFT CLO

Mileage: 33,000

20180627STEERING

DAIMLER AG, (DAG) THE MANUFACTURER OF MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES, HAS DETERMINED THAT ON CERTAIN GLE, GLS AND GLE COUP VEHICLES (166, 292 PLATFORM) WITH THE ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM (ACS), THE OIL IN THE ACS'S OIL RESERVOIR COULD START FOAMING UNDER DYNAMIC DRIVING SITUATIONS IN COMBINATION WITH AN OIL LEVEL BELOW MINIMUM. THE OIL FOAM MIGHT LEAK OUT OF THE OIL RESERVOIR THROUGH THE VENT HOLES IN THE SEALING CAP. DEPENDING ON THE ORIENTATION OF THE VENT HOLES IN THE SEALING CAP, LEAKING OIL COULD SPRAY ONTO HOT SURFACE COMPONENTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. IN SUCH A CASE THE RISK OF A FIRE CANNOT BE RULED OUT. AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP, WILL CORRECT THE OIL LEVEL IF NECESSARY AND REPLACE THE SEALING CAP OF THE OIL RESERVOIR WITH AN OPTIMIZED SEALING CAP TO PREVENT OIL FOAM LEAKAGE. SAFETY RISK: DEPENDING ON THE ORIENTATION OF THE VENT HOLES IN THE SEALING CAP, LEAKING OIL COULD SPRAY ONTO HOT SURFACE COMPONENTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. IN SUCH A CASE THE RISK

Mileage: 34,000

20170525SEATS

THE REAR HEADRESTS IN THE MODELS THAT HAVE THE EZ FOLD SYSTEM IN THE 2014 GL550 WILL NOT COME OUT, NOR DO THE HEADRESTS TILT BACK TO A COMFORTABLE POSITION FOR CHILDREN. IN THE MERCEDES FORUMS, THERE ARE DOZENS OF COMMENTS ON THIS AND I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS FROM ONE OF THESE THAT MIMICS WHAT MY CHILDREN, 9 & 13 ARE EXPERIENCING - UNABLE TO SIT VERY COMFORTABLY IN THE BACK SEAT, AS THE HEADREST PROTRUDES TOO FAR OUT WHERE THEIR NECKS ARE TOO CRANKED FORWARD, OR HEAD IS NOT IN A GOOD POSITION. I AM SEEKING A FIX WHERE THE HEADREST CAN TILT BACK LIKE THE ONES IN THE VEHICLES WITH MANUAL FOLDING REAR SEATS. TAHNK YOU.

Mileage: 33,000

20140927SEAT BELTS

MERCEDES GL 550. FRONT SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONERS ACTIVATED WITH NO IMMINENT CRASH. RANDOM OCCURRENCE IN BOTH FRONT SEATS AND RELEASED AFTER 2-3 SECONDS. *TR

Mileage: 12,500

Compare 2014MERCEDES-BENZGL550 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 have?
The 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550?
The most-complained component for the 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 is STEERING with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SEAT BELTS.
Is the 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 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.