GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

2008 GLs on fire

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Old 02-25-2011, 07:28 PM
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04 sl 500, 07 ml 320 cdi
however, in europe never heard about a burining GL due the seat eletric heater...heated too much...


just to joke

'' included in premium pack 01: BBQ and smoker grill all in passenger seat''

ahaha

just to joke ahahhaa
Old 02-26-2011, 09:47 AM
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15 GL550
Originally Posted by Stesl
however, in europe never heard about a burining GL due the seat eletric heater...heated too much...


just to joke

'' included in premium pack 01: BBQ and smoker grill all in passenger seat''

ahaha

just to joke ahahhaa
I see you drive an 07 ML. Check out the NHTSA investigations. It has the same problem although NHTSA does mention that the seat heater issue never resulted in an open flame in that model. Keep in mind though that these occurrences are probably very rare.
Old 02-26-2011, 04:50 PM
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GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
Originally Posted by Nstar
Broktoon - battery in question is under front passenger's seat not hood
I know, under the passenger seat, exactly where the car is not scorched...
Old 02-26-2011, 06:15 PM
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04 sl 500, 07 ml 320 cdi
Originally Posted by 43221B
I see you drive an 07 ML. Check out the NHTSA investigations. It has the same problem although NHTSA does mention that the seat heater issue never resulted in an open flame in that model. Keep in mind though that these occurrences are probably very rare.
no problem (i hope)..i'm in europe and i didn't spent 600€ for a heater seat when the average temperature is about 20C
Old 04-21-2011, 12:08 AM
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So what's the latest on this? Has MB made a recall?
Old 04-22-2011, 03:09 AM
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2007 MB GL450
I spoke with a service rep today and was told that if people use stock MB battery, there would be no fires caused by it. MB uses a cell battery. Service rep said if people replace the battery with aftermarket ones, then that may cause an issue such as fire. Not sure how I feel about this.
Old 10-24-2011, 08:39 PM
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2004 sadly automatic non-W8 Passat
2008 GL450

Am happy to be here. Made a search of the "best MB forum" and according to Google and other enthusiast forums (BMW, Porsche), MBWorld #1, BenzWorld #2 and PointedThree, #3. Also looked into MBCA, but GL information seemed thin. I bet most of you are part of some or all of these, but I wouldn't be able to keep anything straight.

Sorry, this may all be dated, but I took delivery on a 2008 CPO GL450 about a year ago and gave up a V8 Touareg because of space issues. Stumbled upon this topic and am now worried for the safety of 2.5 year-old twins and a 4-month old infant. Oh, and my wife, too! Are my worries unfounded? Should I park the GL on the street? Should I unplug the battery? Disconnect the seat heaters? Use more sunscreen?

Thanks in advance.
Old 10-24-2011, 10:23 PM
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Go to the NHTSA website and read some of the reports for yourself. While there was an issue with seat heaters causing minor burns and damage to clothing, it doesn't appear that there was ever a widespread problem of "GL's catching fire" or even "open flames".

The original poster (who didn't own a GL) claimed that his brother in law's "insurance company told them this is their 22nd one". The information contained in the NHTSA database does not seem to support this claim.
Old 10-25-2011, 12:50 AM
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2004 sadly automatic non-W8 Passat
Thanks 43221B. I'm hoping it's all an exaggeration. The GL is my wife's car and I made a mistake mentioning this to her.

Last edited by BoyLaMncha; 10-25-2011 at 12:52 AM. Reason: added last line
Old 02-04-2016, 08:57 PM
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Gl450
my go 450 caught fire today! Really scary couldn't open the back door to get my daughter out of her car seat as the smoke was rolling in! I had to climb over the front to the back to get her out! I have 3 children I am grateful I only had one in the car and that we are all safe! Scared to death but safe! Fire department came with 3 trucks and hosed down the car! So scary and so real! Beware!!! Factory battery under passenger seat was cause of the fire!
Old 02-06-2016, 01:14 PM
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2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown on Espresso Brown Leather, 2014 C250 Sport Diamond Silver
This is not an uncommon occurrence. You need to contact a lawyer and MBUSA. Was it a battery installed your dealer.? If it is. I would contact them also. I am glad your family is safe!!! That is really scary.
Old 04-21-2017, 10:36 PM
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2008 gl450
please do not buy cheap batteries or anything for any car my friend car chevy impala got fire because of heating battery its not gl450 its battery
Old 12-17-2022, 09:37 AM
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2007 GL450
Angry It’s caused by leaks

I know I’m late to the party on this post, but mine caught fire last week…. Had left it outside and we got a bad rain storm. LUCKILY Tuesday morning I came out to smell burnt plastic. FN GL450 puts a marine size battery under the passenger seat, but you flipping have to have the electrical on to move the seat to unhook the battery and get it out. I caught it just in time to keep it from blowing up. The battery had just started to melt.

They also catch on fire under the spare tire. There’s a false floor under the tire, and the BRILLIANT drunk engineers at MB mounted the rear hatch hydraulic pump to the floor, and since it too is a bowl it collects water and corrodes the pump. That led me down the road of chasing leaks. The computer that controls that pump also catch’s on fire, mine did. It’s also mounted to the floor. They are the most corrupt company on the face of the planet IMO. Brand new cars leak, they catch on fire, and everyone is ok with this.

And I didn’t buy a cheap battery. That’s the best one on the market, and was recommended by a service tech at the dealership. Has to be the GOLD.

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...-gl-leako.html



Old 12-04-2023, 04:50 PM
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merc 450 GL
GL 450

Originally Posted by digi_pixx
That is not cool
NOv 25 th my GL 450 caught fire underneath front passenger seat, Total loss 2012 model
Old 12-04-2023, 08:48 PM
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08 GL320 CDI
Wow, this is really a thing?!? Crazy. I've read most of the posts, seems odd.

Vehicles just don't just randomly catch fire... must be something shorting something out. Very strange. User install error??
Old 12-04-2023, 10:23 PM
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Would imagine it is water intrusion causing a short and then a fire.
Old 12-05-2023, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Franman
I'd still like to see pics before I believe. I am "ye of little faith" in regards to this... might be the same guy who builds weather balloons in Colorado
Yeah. 22 complaints out of how many sold? Car batteries do occasionally cause fires. Being under the seat is more likely to make such a fire spread. However, no way the NTSB would let this go if it was a significant problem.
Old 12-05-2023, 08:20 PM
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08 GL320 CDI
Originally Posted by BlownV8
Would imagine it is water intrusion causing a short and then a fire.
Water isn't the best conductor of electricity, even more so at these low voltages (12V) So I doubt water would cause a fire, if it did happen to conduct, most likely a fuse would blow first.

I'm just trying to figure this one out? The battery just going up is the most likely scenario, but ya, only 22 people lol
Old 12-05-2023, 09:53 PM
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My GL was totaled by water intrusion under the passenger seat. Now, it wasn't on fire but the electrical components were smoking. The fuses were not tripped.

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