Total Complaints
7 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450 · model year
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450
7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2019MERCEDES-BENZGLS450 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 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 2019 GLS450 is engine with 1 filings, followed by electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery (1) and service brakes (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. 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 2019 GLS450. 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.
7
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
Recalls (2)
22V36500020/05/2022
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
21V05800005/02/2021
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
Recent Complaints
20210129CrashAIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD HOWEVER, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS.
Mileage: 15,000
20210129CrashFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD HOWEVER, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS.
Mileage: 15,000
20200430UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY WINDSHIELD EXPLODED.
Mileage: 4,500
20200121SERVICE BRAKES
MERCEDES BENZ HAS GROSSLY MIS-REPRESENTED THE ACTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM FEATURE. THE OWNERS MANUAL LEAVES OUT A KEY ELEMENT, WHICH IS THAT THE DRIVERS FOOT NEEDS TO BE OFF THE PEDAL FOR THE FEATURE TO ACTIVATE. I.E. THE FEATURE WILL ONLY WORK WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS A CRITICAL FEATURE AND ONE THEY SHOULDN'T OMIT. I EXPECT THE THE AUTO BRAKE TO COME INTO EFFECT WHEN I'M APPROACHING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A A PACE THAT WILL LEAD TO A COLLISION. BUT IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. FOLLOWING IS WHAT THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS (NOTE THAT IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATION). "ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST CAN HELP YOU TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN FRONT OR REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF SUCH A COLLISION. IF ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST DETECTS THAT THERE IS A RISK OF COLLISION, YOU WILL BE WARNED VISUALLY AND ACOUSTICALLY. IF YOU DO NOT REACT TO THE VISUAL AND AUDIBLE COLLISION WARNING, AUTONOMOUS BRAKING CAN BE INITIATED I
20200121VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MERCEDES BENZ HAS GROSSLY MIS-REPRESENTED THE ACTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM FEATURE. THE OWNERS MANUAL LEAVES OUT A KEY ELEMENT, WHICH IS THAT THE DRIVERS FOOT NEEDS TO BE OFF THE PEDAL FOR THE FEATURE TO ACTIVATE. I.E. THE FEATURE WILL ONLY WORK WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS A CRITICAL FEATURE AND ONE THEY SHOULDN'T OMIT. I EXPECT THE THE AUTO BRAKE TO COME INTO EFFECT WHEN I'M APPROACHING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A A PACE THAT WILL LEAD TO A COLLISION. BUT IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. FOLLOWING IS WHAT THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS (NOTE THAT IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATION). "ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST CAN HELP YOU TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN FRONT OR REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF SUCH A COLLISION. IF ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST DETECTS THAT THERE IS A RISK OF COLLISION, YOU WILL BE WARNED VISUALLY AND ACOUSTICALLY. IF YOU DO NOT REACT TO THE VISUAL AND AUDIBLE COLLISION WARNING, AUTONOMOUS BRAKING CAN BE INITIATED I
20191211ENGINE
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ̃75MPH TOWARD 202 W ARIZONA FREEWAY, DASHBOARD SHOWED A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION + 48 V BATTERY SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL:. 1 MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ERROR ON SCREEN SAYING, COOLANT OFF TURN ENGINE OFF. THEN THE CAR LOST THE POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OFF FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS BEHIND US. CAR IN SERVICE AT MERCEDES DEALER IN CHANDLER AZ
Mileage: 13,000
20191211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ̃75MPH TOWARD 202 W ARIZONA FREEWAY, DASHBOARD SHOWED A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION + 48 V BATTERY SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL:. 1 MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ERROR ON SCREEN SAYING, COOLANT OFF TURN ENGINE OFF. THEN THE CAR LOST THE POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OFF FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS BEHIND US. CAR IN SERVICE AT MERCEDES DEALER IN CHANDLER AZ
Mileage: 13,000
Compare 2019MERCEDES-BENZGLS450 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450 have?▼
The 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450?▼
Yes, the 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450?▼
The most-complained component for the 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450 is ENGINE with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.