Most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz GL450 complaints by model year
Best GL450 years: 2017, 2009, 2016. Years to avoid: 2007, 2011, 2012, 2008, 2010. Compare all years →
2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450 recalls (3)
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.
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.
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…
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.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 GL350 4Matic Blutec, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic, ML250 Blutec, ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML400 4Matic and 2015-2016 GL63 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 29, 2014 through March 27, 2015.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the axle carrier bolts, free of charge. The recall is began February 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
What 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450 owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owned a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the dealer for 12 days for an oil change. The contact's son drove the vehicle 2 days later, at an undisclosed speed when the vehicle started smoking from the engine. The contact's son pulled over when the vehicle caught fire completely. The fire marshals came out to extinguish the fire, there were no injuries. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken for routine maintenance and twelve days later returned without an oil change. Oil was added to the vehicle and it started smoking.
My 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 experienced an unexpected vehicle fire on Feb 13th 2026. The vehicle was just parked when I noticed smoke from the engine. The vehicle caught fire within a short period of time, and 911 was called. There was no known external cause for the fire. The incident appeared to originate from the engine compartment. This created a serious safety hazard and posed a risk of injury and property damage. The fire required immediate response from the fire department, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. The vehicle is currently in the possession of the insurance company. This incident raises concerns about a potential mechanical or electrical defect. A vehicle should not catch fire under normal operating or parked conditions. I am requesting that this incident be reviewed as a potential safety defect.
Seats
Tried to install child safety seats in 2nd row seats. The 2nd row headrests prevent the proper installation of the child safety seats. The headrests cannot be removed, or moved out of the way so that the child safety seats can be installed properly. I have reported to our Mercedes-Benz dealer. They are working on a response.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mercedes Benz GL450. The contact stated that the headrest prevented the contact from properly installing a child safety seat in the rear of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the headrest could only be removed by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
Suspension
The airmatic system in this vehicle fails continuously, causing the vehicle to bump up and down while driving. Unsafe to drive
Gl 450 with VIN [redacted] experienced exact problem defined by NHTSA recall # 18V272 in May 2018 (2 or 3 weeks prior to receiving recall notice from Mercedes-Benz USA). Dealership, Mercedes-Benz of midlothian virginia, performed repair work required (based urgent need from MIL saying "do not drive vehicle. Mb midlothian repaired the active suspension system by replacing the "sealing cap" on the "acs oil reservoir" - the exact repair specified in the recall. I was charged in excess of $400 for this repair as the dealership "had not yet received official notice that the recall would include (my) vehicle." upon receiving the official recall letter in June 2018, I contacted Mercedes-Benz USA. Mb-USA told me that the work I had paid for was, indeed, covered by the recall, and that mb dealership should reimburse me for the charges and re-charge mb-USA. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450 a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 GL450 rates better than average: 43% fewer complaints than a typical year of the GL450 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the seats (3) and suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450, the most recent from November 1, 2019 (communication). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz GL450?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2009 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2011, 2012, 2008 and 2010. See the full Mercedes-Benz GL450 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.