2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst out of 8 model years with a complaint index of 57. NHTSA lists 10 complaints and 3 recalls, with engine problems the top concern.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #4 of 8 GL550 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 10
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (30%)
- Steering2 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (20%)
- Brakes1 (10%)
- Electrical System1 (10%)
- Other1 (10%)
- Seat Belts1 (10%)
- Structure & Body1 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (10%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front seat belt pre-tensioners activated with no crash, releasing tension after a couple of seconds.
- Rear headrests in the EZ-fold system would not extend or tilt back, making the back seat uncomfortable for children.
- Active curve system oil reservoir foamed and leaked oil below the minimum fill level during dynamic driving.
- Tapping noise from the engine led to a borescope inspection revealing scored cylinder walls and an engine replacement.
- Steering wheel seized and the vehicle lost power while driving, with check engine and malfunction warning lights on.
- Air suspension system ground and adjusted itself constantly while driving, giving a feeling of an unbalanced frame.
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Communication
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
- NHTSA 18V272000Apr 27, 2018Suspension, Wheels & Tires9,725 vehicles
Suspension:front
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
- NHTSA 14V158000Mar 31, 2014Other69 vehicles
Child seat:latch strap
Mercedes Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014 GL350 BlueTEC 4Matic, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic, and GL63 AMG vehicles manufactured November 4, 2013, through November 15, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the foldable second row seat bottom may not fold down low enough to allow proper use of the child seat achors. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: Without the use of the lower anchor points, a child restraint may be insufficiently or improperly anchored to the seat, increasing the risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat pan of the second row seat, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 18 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other GL550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 57 for the 2014 GL550, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 4th worst among the 8 model years with data, with engine problems reported most often.
- What problems does the 2014 GL550 have?
- Owners reported engine issues such as exhaust valve leaks and scored cylinder walls, along with steering system oil leaks, suspension grinding, and a seat belt pre-tensioner that activated without a crash.
- Does the 2014 GL550 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 GL550, covering an eCall software date/time fault, an active curve system oil reservoir issue, and a second-row seat pan inspection/replacement.
- What year GL550 should I avoid?
- Among GL550 years with data, 2011 and 2012 have Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 86 and 100. The 2014 model carries a Caution verdict with an index of 57, better than those two years but worse than 2013 and 2015, which rate Good.
- What is the median mileage for engine failures in the 2014 GL550?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 104,000 miles for engine-related complaints in the 2014 GL550.