Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 received 2 letter from Mercedes Benz USA regarding the air bag recall. The 1st letter gave me a date in March for replacement. The 2nd letter stated my airbag would be replaced in July 2018. When I called the dealership they stated the replacements have yet to be received and to call Mercedes corporate
Takata recall: I have contacted Mercedes Benz numerous times concerning the recall and I cannot get a straight answer. The last time (a few weeks ago by corporate) I was told that since they have had numerous airbags go off and no one was terribly injured (I.e. Shrapnel) not to be concerned about the recall. I have also been told that they cannot get the new parts. This is the story they are telling since day one of the recall. I honestly don't think Mercedes Benz has any intention of fixing this dangerous issue. This is very upsetting since I feel I am driving my family around in a time bomb due to the uncertainty of these air bags. Isn't there anything you can do? I truly believe they are lying since they do not want to fix these airbags and have pretty much said they are not going to do so based on my last conversation. This is the information coming from corporate.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags) for the driver frontal air bag inflator; 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. An unknown dealer stated that they were unsure if the vehicle would be included in the recall and would keep the contact informed. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and stated that the contact would receive a follow-up letter; however, no additional assistance was made available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 08/10/2017
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (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 remedy. The contact contacted critz Mercedes-Benz of savannah (7000 abercorn st, savannah, ga 31406 [phone]) and was informed that the recall parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (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. Mercedes-Benz of houston greenway in houston, tx was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall - I am filing this complaint because of the length of the recall going on for 3 years now, and still is not complete. Mercedes has several times pushed out the date that the parts would be available. Now, Mercedes is showing that the parts will be available in June 2019. This is a dangerous problem that we are expected to continue to drive with the risk of potential injuries from the airbag inflator being faulty. They should find the means and parts to fix this issues as soon as possible. This shouldn't take over 3 years, and is simply unacceptable.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Autobahn motors (700 island pkwy, belmont, ca 94002, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall since January 2018 I have been waiting for the replacement parts to arrive for this recall. I have moved to Canada and in order to transfer my vehicle there can be no outstanding recalls. I have been contacting Mercedes for over a year yet they are unable to provide any answers as to when the repair will be done. This recall has been outstanding for far too long and is preventing me from transferring my vehicle.
Takata recall mb issued a recall for the passenger side Takata airbag in feb 2016. We still have not had the airbag replaced. We can't use the vehicle due to risk of injury or death in even a minor accident resulting in the deployment of the faulty airbag with an inflator that could cause explosion of metal fragments impacting passengers. NHTSA recall number 16V081
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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 47% of the model year's 47 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles.
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.