Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
1- brakes; vibration and sever shaking while breaking , since 11/2012 at 2500 miles now at 14000 miles . Pads and rotors has been changed 3 times and problem is keep coming back / 2- vibration while driving : since 11/2012 vehicle vibrates at all driving speed 35-70 and varies of the roads. Has been to services 8 times . All tires has been replaced at 7K miles. Vehicle symptoms gets better after road force balance but returns after few hundred miles. Mb USA has declined the repair! 3- additional problems; driver side lumbar support . Rear door could not be closed , cooling system hose problem , key fobs needed to be replaced , ac control does not adjust automatically in auto position. Pre safe collusion system problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle would shake profusely when applying the brakes. The contact took his vehicle the dealer on three occasions and each time the dealer recommended and repaired the rotors and brake pads be replaced; however, the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000. The current mileage was 15,500.
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 stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
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 related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owned a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop, which led him to rear-end a truck in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained a fracture in the finger, and forehead injury caused by the impact with the steering wheel that required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was deemed destroyed. The contact related the failure to the received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was invalid.
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.
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and attempting to bring the vehicle of a complete stop, the vehicle slowed but failed to stop as expected. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard but was able to bring the vehicle to a stop by using the parking brake. The low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front driver's side brake line, observing that the brake line was heavily corroded causing the line to rupture. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed an identical failure with the front passenger's side brake line. The contact was informed that excessive corrosion was observed throughout the entire braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated upon parking the vehicle in the garage, the brake pedal was depressed and felt soft. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with a recall. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times and informed the contact that the manufacturer had not been providing parts for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to obtain a rental for possible reimbursement. …
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz GL450 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (10), 2010 (9), 2012 (8), 2008 (7) and 2011 (7) model years. Brake complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz GL450 brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-298 (vacuum, Apr 26, 2024); 22V-315 (vacuum, May 9, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz GL450 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (1 mentions), followed by the antilock › abs warning light (1).
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.