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2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 78owner complaints
- 4crash reports
- 1fire report
- 28%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Mercedes-Benz GL-Class year on file: 78 complaints, against an average of 36 for the other 4 model years.
Every Mercedes-Benz GL-Class model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
The components named most often in the 78 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 78 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAOn affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Risk: On affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Fix: Replace the steering gear mounting bolts on the affected vehicles with steel bolts. Should the bolts break or already be broken change the steering gear.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Replace brake booster in vehicles that have not passed XENTRY test and require part replacement.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Replace brake booster in vehicles that have not passed XENTRY test and require part replacement.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Check the brake booster on the affected vehicles and - depending on the result of this inspection - replace it where necessary.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Check the brake booster on the affected vehicles and - depending on the result of this inspection - replace it where necessary.
UK DVSAOil foam may develop in the active curve system oil reservoir
Risk: It has been determined that on Model series ML/GLE GL/GLS (166) & GLE Coupe (292) with ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM (ACS) Oil foam may develop in the systems oil reservoir under dynamic operating conditions and at an oil level below the minimum level and escape via the ventilation bores in the cap of the reservoir. Depending on the orientation of the two ventilation bores the escaping oil could spray onto hot component parts of the exhaust system. In this case risk of fire cannot be ruled out.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the oil dipstick of the reservoir for the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM.
EU Safety GateThe three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting…The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixing screws fail, the power-assisted steering could detach, resulting in a loss of power steering and an increased risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe aluminium bolts of the steering box may break.This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateSevere corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force…Severe corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force required to decelerate the vehicle, resulting in a possible increase in stopping distance. Moreover, due to severe corrosion, a particularly strong or severe braking manoeuvre may cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, preventing the vehicle from decelerating through the service brake and thus increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under…The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel.In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe sealing cap of the Active Curve System's oil reservoir does not prevent oil from leaking out.Oil may leak out and spray onto hot components. As a consequence it may ignite and lead to fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateFollowing the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective.This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class owners report?
12 of the 78 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I was driving on the highway my break warning light came and when I tried pulling over car would not stop my break pedal went all the way to floor causing me to hit the back of another car and I had to get a tow
I purchased a this vehicle at a dealership Laurel Ford as is no warranty for $14,000 and not even in a week of me having it the key fob was not working and it’s been giving me problems so now it’s not is not reading the ignition switch and it won’t turn on it’s not drivable, and I have small three kids. I love it but the headache I can’t deal. Please help!!!!
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had stated that while depressing the brake pedal there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Mercedes Benz settled with U.S Government the diesel emission scandal. There are about 122k class members. Under the settlement, Mercedes gave 122k class members 4 year/48k miles warranty. Under the warranty, MB replaced the timing chain in May 2022 but on April, 2023 while driving on I-95 in Massachusetts, the engine completely got shut down while driving 55 miles per hour. Luckily, no one got injured. But the car was not controllable. I barely pulled to the side of the hwy and called the towing. Brought it to MB of Westwood. MB Westwood did a diagnostics.Below is the note Mercedes Benz of…
Breaks became unusable due to lost power break fluid caused by corrosion on the lines. Fluid was completely gone and breaks were not effective at all. Dashboard showed RED light with break error. Dealer confirmed that rust build up caused the failure.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact was notified that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I would like to file an official complaint with Mercedes Service center prior to escalating. Due to neglection the part of your authorized dealership, I am confronted with poor and conniving customer service, strong safety concerns, and financial loss. Also, Euro Motors did not report any issues with the vehicle wire harness during the pre inspection. During the pre inspection the only thing Mechanic pointed out was the rear left air suspension bag losing air (see attached videos of pre and post inspection).I brought in my GL350 for the manufacturing recall on September 20th, with sufficient…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while merging onto a highway, the vehicle failed to upshift at 32 MPH, without warning. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle and was then able to resume normal driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL 450. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle causing him to crash into the vehicle in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. Both air bags under the steering wheels deployed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The front of the vehicle hood, bumper, and radiator was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) and 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
THE REAR SUSPENSION BECAME SOFT AFTER THE DEALER DID AN INTIAL CHECK AFTER I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VEHICLE FEELING UNSTABLE AFTER SPEEDS OF 70MPH. I HAD BOTH AIR SHOCKS CHANGED IN THE REAR. AFTER TWO (2) MONTHS THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER ALSO STARTED TO LEAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUSPENSION TO AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST IN THE FRONT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THIS OCCURED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION, HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS.
4-5 MILES INTO DRIVING AIRMATIC MALFUNCTION APPEARS ON MY DASHBOARD ( PICTURE OF AN STRAIGHT UP ARROW IN THE MIDDLE OF CAR PICTURE) WHEN I INCREASE THE SPEED TO 50 MILES THE TACHOMETER GOES CRAZY AND I HEAR LOUD SOUND. CAR HAS LESS THAN 50 000 MILES.
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2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class; the most common categories were air bags (41, 52.6%), service brakes (11, 14.1%), suspension (7, 9%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 4 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 5 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
Across 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (52.6% of complaints), service brakes (14.1% of complaints), suspension (9% of complaints), hydraulic (7.7% of complaints), power train (6.4% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
5 of the 78 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (6.4%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Breaks became unusable due to lost power break fluid caused by corrosion on the lines. Fluid was completely gone and breaks were not effective at all. Dashboard showed RED light with break error. Dealer confirmed that rust build up caused the failure." (NHTSA complaint 11502596, January 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
What causes clunking or suspension noise in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
3 of the 78 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (3.8%) describe suspension clunks, worn parts or air suspension failures. One owner wrote: "The rear suspension became soft after the dealer did an intial check after i complained about the vehicle feeling unstable after speeds of 70mph. i had both air shocks changed in the rear." (NHTSA complaint 11311208, February 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own GL-Class
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.