Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I [redacted] own. The Mercedes Benz, it was in recall for the Air Bag, I took it to the Dealer at the Coral Gables Dealership of the Mercedes, 300 Almeria Ave, Coral Gables 33134. Phone [phone]. and it was check. I was involved in an Accident on ([redacted]) went into a canal. 50 feet down, the Air Bag did not OPEN, the Brake did not brake properly the truck slip through the grass, and we end it in the Canal. I did not was advise the brake were in recall found out later on after the accident the GEIGO the insurance Company advise, but it was too late. I We were Born that Day my husband and me. I have picture of the accident; The check engine was on and off sometime like a year before or maybe more can't recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the passenger air bag indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 116v081000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called a local dealer (Mercedes-Benz of hempstead, 110 w graham ave, hempstead, ny 11550) and was informed that the remedy was not available and to wait until the notification informing her to bring the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
We were south bound on us131 and was struck in the drivers door. Entire drivers side of the vehicle has damage from front bumper to rear wheel. None of the air bags deployed and the computer has a stored code for both drivers side doors. I have contacted Mercedes and they contend that the air bags performed properly. Vehicle is just now being disassembled to determine damage so I think Mercedes might be covering something up.
Since 2/2017 the supposed top quality brand Mercedes Benz has postponed the replacement of the defective tamara airbags. They are jeopardizing their customers lives. I spend $70 000 on this car to keep my family safe, but they rather spend millions in a formula e racing series that nobody watches then to replaces these dangerous airbags
Takata recall - the recall originally came out in 2/2016, and at the time, it said a remedy was not yet available. I recently read another article about the recall and when I checked it still said a remedy wasn't available. That's three years they've had to fix it and they haven't.
Takata recall-how can you have this lethal of a situation and not have parts to replace. I want it in writing that I tried to rectify this and have been told there are no parts available at this time.
I bought a Mercedes GL450 about a year ago, is well taken care of ever since I got it, also the reason I purshased this vehicle because I've heard good things from Mercedes " that it's safe and a reliable vehicle" . So I thought and I would've never imagine this vehicle put me my family and I at risk. Starting with the airbag. The sensor keeps on triggering it so its malfunctioned. Also I have an ABS/ESP sensor on as well. So as I am driving the car the car suddenly brakes frequent, there's times that it doesn't at all and the brake system doesn't work at all. Huge red flag!!! On top of that I have a fuel leak which I never tought it was a leak, ii smelled gas all the time and living by a gas station I wouldve never thought it would be my car. Yet the smell followed me everywhere I went with the car. …
I have been calling Mercedes for going on 3 years about fixing this recall issue. I get a letter periodically pushing back my parts available date. The dealership always said they cannot provide any estimate on when the parts will be available. Finally, I received a letter from vice president of customer services christian trieber dated March 2019 regarding this "urgent-important safety recall 2019030018". It states that parts are now available and to schedule an appointment "immediately". I called and was put on what was probably a fake hold to 'check' part availability, and told the same thing I've been told time after time which is that parts are not available and no time estimate can be provided. The letter states that "safety is of utmost concern to Mercedes Benz", but that's a bit hard to believe at this point. …
Takata recall. Been calling for almost 2 years and each time I bring it in for service I'm asking for airbag replacement. Every time "we don't have the parts" I call [phone] Mercedes corporate to discuss and their answering service for Takata recall states same "we don't have parts" and "Mercedes Benz feels its safe to drive" how is it safe to drive if it will explode on frontal crash impact with shrapnel?? Why isn't anything being done to fix the problem? Why are lawyers suing for millions of dollars yet the consumer has gotten nothing. I also own a 2015 Mercedes c 300 which hasn't been fixed with recalls and a 2014 Mercedes e 350. Nothing has been done. I also owned a 2010 Lexus gx460 which was involved in crash, thankfully airbag didn't deploy but I got no compensation from any Toyota lawsuits. The lawyers are getting all the money and consumers nothing! …
Takata recall. I have received two notices stating that my vehicle is one of those having the Takata airbags and that we can have "free replacement airbags". I have contacted approved dealerships several times in my area, only to be told that Takata has not released the "parts" to replace my airbags yet (this has been ongoing for two years). I called a dealership again today and was told the same thing. I drive my car daily with these defective airbags with the hopes that we don't get into any accidents which causes me great anxiety and stress. Two years is too long to still be waiting on parts to fix a problem that should have never been. When will this be fixed?
Related recalls
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,…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other GL450 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 62% of the model year's 55 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-081 (inflator module, Feb 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.