2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 8 GL350 years
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 ranks worst of 8 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 22 complaints, and 3 recalls including 2 do-not-drive brake recalls. Airbags account for 59% of complaints, making it the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 3
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags13 (59%)
- Engine5 (23%)
- Brakes1 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (5%)
- Other1 (5%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden smoke and a burned engine compartment appearing while driving at highway speed, with the failure occurring around 100,000 miles.
- Some describe an engine oil cooler leak paired with an airmatic system malfunction and a broken intake manifold runner control.
- Multiple owners report long delays getting Takata airbag recall parts, with repairs unavailable for over a year after notification.
- One owner reported sudden loss of power in traffic at around 46,000 miles with no warning before the incident.
- One owner reported turbo failure with a check engine light and failure to accelerate at 130,000 miles.
- An owner reported the moon roof glass cracking on its own at 130,000 miles.
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V298000Apr 26, 2024Brakes15,604 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
- NHTSA 22V315000May 9, 2022Brakes350,294 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
- NHTSA 16V081000Feb 11, 2016Airbags711,159 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
2012 compared with other GL350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 a bad year?
- Compared to other GL350 model years, 2012 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst of the 8 years with data, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 GL350?
- NHTSA complaints show Airbags as the top problem area at 59% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 23%.
- Does the 2012 GL350 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 GL350, including 2 do-not-drive brake recalls related to corrosion and a Takata airbag recall.
- How many complaints does the 2012 GL350 have?
- NHTSA lists 22 complaints for the 2012 GL350, along with 1 fire and 1 injury reported.