Total Complaints
20 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 450 · model year
20 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018MERCEDES-BENZGLS 450 carries 20 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 5 fires, 0 injuries, 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 2018 GLS 450 is suspension with 3 filings, followed by service brakes (3) and structure:body (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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2018 GLS 450. 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.
Total Complaints
20 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model de
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle mod
January 2023 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. December 2024 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. April 2024: First brake failure. The brakes stopped while driving. Repaired. April 2025: Second brake failure. Brakes failed again. Repaired. The mechanic stated the line was too close to the wheelbase, resulting in a pinpoint-sized hole. No warning lights. July 2025: Engine failure - the vehicle experienced a complete shutdown while driving with no warning lights. Vehicle in shop for 6-8 weeks for engine replacement by certified Mercedes mechanic. Post-engine replacement (July - Nov 2025) - Severe oil leaks at left cylinder head, small leaks at right cylinder head. Coolant warnings and overheating despite adequate coolant. Radiator and vent line issues. Active Brake Assist Limited warning appeared. Late November - Vehicle emitted smoke and experienced a small engine fire, observed under hood after stopping. Mercedes dealership de
January 2023 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. December 2024 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. April 2024: First brake failure. The brakes stopped while driving. Repaired. April 2025: Second brake failure. Brakes failed again. Repaired. The mechanic stated the line was too close to the wheelbase, resulting in a pinpoint-sized hole. No warning lights. July 2025: Engine failure - the vehicle experienced a complete shutdown while driving with no warning lights. Vehicle in shop for 6-8 weeks for engine replacement by certified Mercedes mechanic. Post-engine replacement (July - Nov 2025) - Severe oil leaks at left cylinder head, small leaks at right cylinder head. Coolant warnings and overheating despite adequate coolant. Radiator and vent line issues. Active Brake Assist Limited warning appeared. Late November - Vehicle emitted smoke and experienced a small engine fire, observed under hood after stopping. Mercedes dealership de
January 2023 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. December 2024 - Airbag suspension failed. Replaced by Mercedes dealership. April 2024: First brake failure. The brakes stopped while driving. Repaired. April 2025: Second brake failure. Brakes failed again. Repaired. The mechanic stated the line was too close to the wheelbase, resulting in a pinpoint-sized hole. No warning lights. July 2025: Engine failure - the vehicle experienced a complete shutdown while driving with no warning lights. Vehicle in shop for 6-8 weeks for engine replacement by certified Mercedes mechanic. Post-engine replacement (July - Nov 2025) - Severe oil leaks at left cylinder head, small leaks at right cylinder head. Coolant warnings and overheating despite adequate coolant. Radiator and vent line issues. Active Brake Assist Limited warning appeared. Late November - Vehicle emitted smoke and experienced a small engine fire, observed under hood after stopping. Mercedes dealership de
Brake brakes are terrible. They have other years that theyâve acknowledge that the break are spongy and at times does not break the GLS has that defect. Also smell of gas fumes inside the vehicle. Please direct me the right way and help me with this issue. The brake issue almost have caused me two major accidents car doesnât stop mechanic says this is a Mercedes issue You may contact me at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Brake brakes are terrible. They have other years that theyâve acknowledge that the break are spongy and at times does not break the GLS has that defect. Also smell of gas fumes inside the vehicle. Please direct me the right way and help me with this issue. The brake issue almost have caused me two major accidents car doesnât stop mechanic says this is a Mercedes issue You may contact me at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When attempting to rise/lower the automatic suspension, the compressor cooling notification pops up, followed by a malfunction. After this occurs, the vehicle is incredibly bumpy, to the point of it being unsafe to drive. The vehicle has been repaired twice already by the dealership under extended warranty and the condition has occurred a third time in less than three weeks. This is our family vehicle, and we cannot drive it due to the risk of shaken baby syndrome for our infant because of how much it bumps. Videos are available to show just how bad it is.
This 2018 gls 450 has issues with suspension system. Bought this car in 2023 and using since Jna 2023 and suspension system failed like 3 -4 times. Mechanic changed the air compressor , valves and others and still the car has same issue. It used to lift the car to adequate height but the compressor keeps on pushing it to cause teh compressor to fail.
Third row seat will not lock. Warning message came on several months ago. I brought the vehicle in for service in may of 2022 to Mercedes Benz of Westwood MA. They neglected to repair the issue with the seat and returned the car back to me with the safety issue still unresolved. I spoke with the dealer and Mercedes Benz USA and they refuse to repair the vehicle under warranty even though it was still covered under the factory warranty. [XXX], the service manager at the dealership informed me that the third row seat motor needs to be replaced in order for the seat to lock. He said it is a very common problem with my model vehicle and that is the reason why the manufacturer wont cover the cost of repairing this safety issue. The dealer says the cost for this repair is 1750.00. We are worried that if we have a passenger in the third row seat, they may be injured due to seat not locking. I believe this is a widespread safety issue and I believe it should be covered under a voluntary recall
While driving our 2018 Mercedes GLS 450 down Highway 80 just outside Sacramento, CA, the stationary glass panel of our panoramic sunroof spontaneously explpoded. There was no impact by any outside force, it just shattered with the sound similar to a gunshot. Fortunately I did not lose control of the vehicle, and thankfully the sun shade was closed otherwise broken glass would have showered down into my vehicle. this happened in early evening (around 7:00PM and the ambient temperature was 66 degrees outside, so this had nothing to do with temperature either. Mercedes Benz told me that since I am 3 months outside of warranty they would do nothing to help us and I would need to have this repair done on my own. Mercedes Benz of Walnut Creek, CA has inspected the vehicle and we're in the process of having the claim approved through my insurance. Completely unacceptable that this would happen on this (or any other vehicle). There is a class-action lawsuit against Mercedes for this exact same
While driving our 2018 Mercedes GLS 450 down Highway 80 just outside Sacramento, CA, the stationary glass panel of our panoramic sunroof spontaneously explpoded. There was no impact by any outside force, it just shattered with the sound similar to a gunshot. Fortunately I did not lose control of the vehicle, and thankfully the sun shade was closed otherwise broken glass would have showered down into my vehicle. this happened in early evening (around 7:00PM and the ambient temperature was 66 degrees outside, so this had nothing to do with temperature either. Mercedes Benz told me that since I am 3 months outside of warranty they would do nothing to help us and I would need to have this repair done on my own. Mercedes Benz of Walnut Creek, CA has inspected the vehicle and we're in the process of having the claim approved through my insurance. Completely unacceptable that this would happen on this (or any other vehicle). There is a class-action lawsuit against Mercedes for this exact same
The contact owned a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS450. The contact stated that after turning the ignition switch off, the driver suddenly discovered flames were coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 15,000.
Mileage: 15,000
PART OF MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT. THERE WERE NO CARS OR TREES AROUND AT THE TIME. NOTHING TOUCHED THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Mileage: 22,689
I WAS ALREADY 90% IN PARKING LINE WHICH IS HANDICAP'S. ABOUT TO STOP RIGHT FRONT OF HANDICAP SIGN, SUDDENLY VEHICLE START MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS IN BRAKE SO I PUSH LITTLE HARD TO COMPLETE STOP BUT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD SMASHING INTO THE BUILDING GLASS ENTRY WALL AND DOOR. I AM SO CERTAIN THAT MY FOOT WAS IN BRAKE. I WANT TO KNOW THAT IS THERE ANY WAY SOMEONE CALL OR VISIT WHERE BODY SHOP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE SO I CAN ASK MANUFACTURE TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE.
I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE 3 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THAT THE LEFT REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING WHICH MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THAT WAS COMING FROM THE VENTILATIONS. THESE TWO PROBLEMS WERE FIXED. I TOOK THE CAR ANOTHER TIME. THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRUNK ONLY CLOSING HALFWAY. THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION WAS FIXED BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUNK. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE I PROVIDED A VIDEO FOR THE TRUNK ONLY CLOSING HALFWAY AND I ALSO HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE BLINDSPOT DETECTOR. MY WIFE WAS ALMOST GONG TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE BLIND SPOT NOT SHOWING UP WHEN SHE WAS MOVING TO THE LEFT LANE. I TOOK A VIDEO OF THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE CAR TRUNK AND SAID THAT THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR WAS FIXED, BUT I HAVE NO F
Mileage: 8,000
I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE 3 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THAT THE LEFT REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING WHICH MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THAT WAS COMING FROM THE VENTILATIONS. THESE TWO PROBLEMS WERE FIXED. I TOOK THE CAR ANOTHER TIME. THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRUNK ONLY CLOSING HALFWAY. THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION WAS FIXED BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUNK. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE I PROVIDED A VIDEO FOR THE TRUNK ONLY CLOSING HALFWAY AND I ALSO HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE BLINDSPOT DETECTOR. MY WIFE WAS ALMOST GONG TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE BLIND SPOT NOT SHOWING UP WHEN SHE WAS MOVING TO THE LEFT LANE. I TOOK A VIDEO OF THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE CAR TRUNK AND SAID THAT THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR WAS FIXED, BUT I HAVE NO F
Mileage: 8,000
I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE 3 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THAT THE LEFT REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING WHICH MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THAT WAS COMING FROM THE VENTILATIONS. THESE TWO PROBLEMS WERE FIXED. I TOOK THE CAR ANOTHER TIME. THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRUNK ONLY CLOSING HALFWAY. THE ECO START/STOP FUNCTION WAS FIXED BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUNK. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE I PROVIDED A VIDEO FOR THE TRUNK ONLY CLOSING HALFWAY AND I ALSO HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE BLINDSPOT DETECTOR. MY WIFE WAS ALMOST GONG TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE BLIND SPOT NOT SHOWING UP WHEN SHE WAS MOVING TO THE LEFT LANE. I TOOK A VIDEO OF THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE CAR TRUNK AND SAID THAT THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR WAS FIXED, BUT I HAVE NO F
Mileage: 8,000
I FOUND OUT THAT ONLY ON 2018 MERCEDES GLS MODELS, THE CAR LETS YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITHOUT A WARNING AND PUTS THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AUTOMATICALLY. IT DOES NOT PUT THE CAR TO 'P' OR GIVES YOU A WARNING SAYING YOU NEED TO PUT THE GEAR TO 'P' TO STOP THE CAR. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN ANY CAR. BASICALLY YOU BRAKE AND STOP THEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE BUTTON. THE CAR SHIFTS TO 'N' INSTEAD OF 'P' AND IF YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE THE CAR SLIDES SINCE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. EVEN OLDER CARS DO NOT LET YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE BEFORE SHIFTING TO P AR NEVER CARS JUST AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS TO P WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE. SINCE AS DRIVERS WE ARE NOT USED TO THIS, I CAN SAY THAT I HAD THE CAR SLIDE AT LEAST 5 TIMES THIS WEEK -FTER LEASING THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT THEY SAY THIS IS HOW THIS PARTICULAR CAR WAS BUILT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A NEVER BEFORE SEEN ISSUE WITH ANY CARS I HAVE DRIVEN OVER 25 YEARS I HAVE BEEN A DRIVER. THE OPERATING M
Mileage: 10
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED UPON REACHING A HILL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS (3300 JAMBOREE RD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660, (949) 718-3000). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Mileage: 200
MY GLS-450 HAS THE 'LIGHTING PACKAGE' WITH ACTIVE LED HEADLAMPS INCLUDING 'CORNER-ILLUMINATING FRONT HEADLAMPS, ACTIATED (ACTIVATED SPELLED WRONG) BY THE STEERING WHEEL OR TURN-SIGNAL USE, BRIGHTEN YOUR WAY INTO DRIVEWAYS AND GARAGES.' AS I LIVE IN A VERY DARK RURAL AREA, I ORDERED THESE LIGHTS. I SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE LEDS, WHILE SUPERIOR FOR FORWARD LIGHTING,PROVIDE LITTLE OR NO SIDE LIGHTING FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE WHEN TURNING ONTO DIVIDED HIGHWAYS WITH DARK ISLANDS, ETC. THIS IS BECAUSE THE LEDS ARE VERY STRAIGHT SHOOTING FORWARD. BUT THIS LED LIGHTING PACKAGE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE "CORNERING LIGHTS" ACTUATED BY TURN SIGNAL OR LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING WHICH SOLVES THIS PROBLEM. I HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE ADVANTAGE OF THESE 'CORNERING LIGHTS' ON MY WIFE'S 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-250. BUT MY VEHICLE IS MISSING THE 'CORNERING LIGHT' FEATURE. IN CHECKING WITH THE DEALER AND MBUSA, THEY SAY THIS IS BECAUSE NHTSA WILL NOT ALLOW "CORNERING LIGHTS" ON THE GLS-450 BECAUSE OF THE HEIGH
Mileage: 8,000
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE STEERING PILOT PART OF THE DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE OPTION I HAVE ON MY 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-450. THE STEERING PILOT IS SO POORLY DEVELOPED IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH SEVERAL TIMES, SO I HAVE TURNED IT OFF MOST OF THE TIME. THE MBUSA WEBSITE SAYS OF STEERING PILOT, ' THE STEERING PILOT FEATURE HELPS THE DRIVER KEEP THE VEHICLE CENTERED BETWEEN LANE MARKINGS WHILE CRUISING ON STRAIGHT ROADS, OR EVEN IN GENTLE CURVES.' NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. WHEN DEPLOYED, STEERING PILOT CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO WANDER BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANE AS A DRUNK DRIVER WOULD, OFTEN CROSSING THE CENTER OR GUTTER LINE, ACTIVATING LANE KEEPING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO DRIVE TOWARD THE LEFT OF CENTER, NOT IN THE CENTER OF THE LANE. STEERING PILOT TRIES TO TAKE OFF RAMPS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT FROM THE FREEWAYS, AND TRIES TO TURN DOWN STREETS ON SURFACE ROADS WHEN I WANT TO GO STRAIGHT. IT APPEARS TO HAVE NO LEARNING OR UPDATE CAPABILITY, EVEN THOUGH TH
Mileage: 8,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.