Max Blast

After 22 separate incidents of limping home in 52,000 miles of ownership, we decided to trade the GL in on a reliable Toyota. It was a wonderful car when it wasn't going into limp home mode, but altogether the most unreliable car I've ever owned.
Thanks to everyone on this board who contributed.

Max

aeggroup

Sorry to see you going to another brand. You can always hang out here anyway. Good Luck.

ddcha

Congrats on your new Toyota (Landcruiser?). I'm moving to GM in a couple months myself. I didn't have all the issues you had, but just not impressed by MB because of cost of maintenance and little annoyances I've had to deal with.

RaceHorse

I got out of an 2011 Acadia with a full price buyback, due to repeating power steering problems. I was hoping to have better luck in a pre-owned 2010 gl450. Have any of the problems been corrected in the newer years or is it just the same old thing on this platform? I guess I'll do some more searching.

BlownV8

Many of the really dissatisfied customers seem to be diesel GL owners. My GL450 has been extremely reliable with close to 120k miles driven to date.

KYBRIGGS82

What a shame to have such displeasure in a vehicle. I too, felt this way driving my 2007 Cadillac Escalade. It felt like I was driving in a wind tunnel all the time and the cheaply made interior drove me insane. Parts would break, fall apart or just melt into a blob of plastic . Finally, after getting to know everyone at the dealership by first name it was time to sell the Escalade. I said GOODBYE and sold the worst vehicle I had ever owned and purchased a 2012 GL350. It's been a wonderful vehicle so far, averaging 28 MPH on my trips to Carmel or Monterey. I hope I feel this way a few years down the road and purchase another GL.

SirG

Sorry you had such a displeasing experience with your GL. My Toyota is sitting at the dealer as we speak; for the fifth time this month due to an oil leak they are unable to find. They had it for two weeks prior to us taking the GL on a round-trip from IL to NJ. They assured me problem was finally resolved. Came back to a garage soaked in oil, they had to send a flat bed to pick the thing up. I can't wait to get out of my Toyota :-(

JimBarnhart

I've been on this forum for almost 5 years now. There are others that have more time with their GL, but not many anymore. BlownV8 mentioned that most of the problems seem to be with diesel owners. I think this is true of the GL320CDI owners had their fair share of issues.

I haven't seen that trend with the GL350. It could be they are newer, or it could be that they fixed their issues with the new diesel. I'm not sure.

In the 5 years I've seen 2 GL's get bought back. Now some might not find these forums when they have problems, but I have to assume most do.

I guess my point is I'm not of the mind that the GL is any more problematic than any other vehicle. I think the more gadgets the more you have to expect issues. It is important to realize that repairs on MB's are costly, just like their initial sticker price.

43221B

I've had a few minor problems with my 09 diesel that has 42,000 miles on the odometer. I would not hesitate to purchase another one and the problems have all been non mechanical in nature. While my Toyota SUV hasn't been in the shop in 5 years, it is not even close to being as enjoyable to drive as the GL. I don't know of another 7 passenger SUV that is as easy and comfortable to drive over long distances.

I just finished a trip where the return leg was 650 miles. Due to traffic (1 hour and 45 minutes of stop and go) and potty/food breaks, the trip took about 14 hours of which the engine ran for 12:44 minutes. Despite the traffic, a trip over the Appalachian mountains (never heard the transmission kick down once), and 75+ mph speeds (at which the GL is unbelievable smooth and stable), I pulled into my garage without ever having to refuel and with the computer showing approximately 80 miles of range left. How many other SUV's can do that?

stickygreen

I think the early gl320 (07-08) had most of the problems, usually having to do with the intercooler hose.

Our '09 has been solid for 48k miles, with only two warranty issues (srs sensor, intake air temp sensor), neither of which did any more than flick on a dash light.

ddcha

I'm trading in my GL for a Toyota too...... a Toyota minivan...haha

Max Blast

After trading in the terminally unreliable diesel GL on a nearly new Toyota Highlander two years ago, we have now gotten rid of that car (reliable, but buzzy and INFURIATINGLY rattly) and gotten back into a very well taken care of 2004 E320 Wagon. I will be buying a MB Star and DAS/Xentry for self diagnosis, which is what I should have had for the GL.
See you on the w211 forum!