GL450 falling apart at 65K miles
01-17-2013, 05:41 PM
#26
Junior Member
I can echo everything SoCalBenz has said about my 07 GL450 as well. Currently at 83,000 miles and over the last 18 months had to replace both front air struts, both front door lock mechanisms (not keyless entry), parking sensors, & rear hatch lock mechanism 2x. Plus last year the check engine light came on and it was some cylinoid compression issue that totaled in excess of $5K. Luckily the dealer and MBUSA picked up the tab on that one. Tomorrow I have to take it back in as the passenger rear is now leaning to the right. Love the vehicle when it's not in the shop, really wanted to buy an E as well but now will look to get rid of the GL and not consider MB for any future vehicle purchases.
01-17-2013, 10:59 PM
#27
Sheez, I'm not feeling good after reading all these entries. My wife and I recently purchased a 2010 GL550 with 20k miles. We've had it since late December and already had it in the shop. The ABS/ESP lights came on and at low speeds the front driver's side brake would actuate on its own! We picked it up Tuesday (defective speed sensor - for ESP and braking issue, plus cam solenoid fix) and tonight the Check Engine light came on. I wonder if this is related to the cam solenoid/wiring fix.
We will keep our fingers crossed and hopefully get this fixed quickly.
We will keep our fingers crossed and hopefully get this fixed quickly.
01-18-2013, 06:53 AM
#28
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GL450
Agree with cc5731478, its time to get rid of the GL and look to another brand, the problems and associated expense are a concern (see previous post), however in my case the response i got from Mercedes corporate is clearly disappointing - their take is that considering the age and mileage (out of warranty) no matter what fails it is normal wear – I did learn something from them, apparently the steering rack is a “wear item” like tires, wiper blades I guess.
01-19-2013, 08:42 AM
#29
Okay, so called Service Advisor and they can't see us until Monday. She also asked us to make certain the gas cap was tight/fully closed? We checked and of course it was.
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
01-19-2013, 09:32 AM
#30
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Okay, so called Service Advisor and they can't see us until Monday. She also asked us to make certain the gas cap was tight/fully closed? We checked and of course it was.
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
01-19-2013, 10:01 AM
#31
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04 E500 4MATIC, 07 GL450, 89 300E
Okay, so called Service Advisor and they can't see us until Monday. She also asked us to make certain the gas cap was tight/fully closed? We checked and of course it was.
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
01-19-2013, 10:23 AM
#32
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Porsche 911
Okay, so called Service Advisor and they can't see us until Monday. She also asked us to make certain the gas cap was tight/fully closed? We checked and of course it was.
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
Fast forward to last night, and the Check Engine light is now off. So, I'm hoping for advice on two questions: could if have REALLY been the gas cap; and do we still take it in on Monday?
01-19-2013, 12:57 PM
#33
Thanks for all the constructive input and thanks for offering to read the codes - VNTGSPD. I'm in the Dallas area, so it doesn't look like we will be able to get together. However my nephew has a scanner/reader and I'll ask him to stop by tomorrow. If it WAS the gas cap, should we expect to see an error code? If so, what?
01-19-2013, 04:12 PM
#34
After a lot of deliberation, we decided not to push the GL450 off a cliff and instead re-up'd and ordered a 2013 GL450 with the hopes that it would be better.
Unfortunately, 2013s are in very short supply, so our build won't be delivered until March.
In the meantime, the 09 GL450 continues to disintegrate. Now both front door locks have gone out (actuators - $1000/ea), the sunroof switch only works half the time, the power steering decided to leak, and last week we got a "centrifuge oil leak" that sent oil onto the manifold and white smoke coming out the engine.
Again, this is a car that has been pampered by my wife, has had every scheduled maintenance by the dealer and sits in a nice warm garage when not in the warm weather of SoCal.
So my wife refuses to drive it and now doesn't want the new GL450 on order. I can't blame her. I have talked to both of my local dealers and both have said that Mercedes won't be of any help, because the car is out of warranty.
I've been a Mercedes owner for 17 years, but it looks like this is now my last one. I know a lot of you have had good experiences with your vehicles, as have I with other Mercedes. My disappointment is in the company and the dealers for not doing more to support this 60K mile lemon.
For those of you trolling the board shopping for 7 seater SUVs, what else are you looking at? I really like the design of the GL, but I can't get my wife back behind the wheel of one.
Unfortunately, 2013s are in very short supply, so our build won't be delivered until March.
In the meantime, the 09 GL450 continues to disintegrate. Now both front door locks have gone out (actuators - $1000/ea), the sunroof switch only works half the time, the power steering decided to leak, and last week we got a "centrifuge oil leak" that sent oil onto the manifold and white smoke coming out the engine.
Again, this is a car that has been pampered by my wife, has had every scheduled maintenance by the dealer and sits in a nice warm garage when not in the warm weather of SoCal.
So my wife refuses to drive it and now doesn't want the new GL450 on order. I can't blame her. I have talked to both of my local dealers and both have said that Mercedes won't be of any help, because the car is out of warranty.
I've been a Mercedes owner for 17 years, but it looks like this is now my last one. I know a lot of you have had good experiences with your vehicles, as have I with other Mercedes. My disappointment is in the company and the dealers for not doing more to support this 60K mile lemon.
For those of you trolling the board shopping for 7 seater SUVs, what else are you looking at? I really like the design of the GL, but I can't get my wife back behind the wheel of one.
01-19-2013, 11:38 PM
#35
MBWorld Fanatic!
Never let 1 experience influence you. There is always a risk that you have the 1 vehicle that attracts issues, especially with the german vehicles. But it can happen with any manufacturer.
So your homework and research and find out if it's a widespread issue.
my GL is at 50k, no problems yet. My CLK 500 is at 175k and has only routine maintenance and 1 round of expected suspension parts replacements since 34k.
And everyone I've talked to (and read) - from my performance shop that deals with european and exotics only, to my german mechanic who services the big 3, to a cousin who works for Audi service has told me that Mercedes has the least issues in gerneal, followed by BMW and then Audi (being the worse).
So your homework and research and find out if it's a widespread issue.
my GL is at 50k, no problems yet. My CLK 500 is at 175k and has only routine maintenance and 1 round of expected suspension parts replacements since 34k.
And everyone I've talked to (and read) - from my performance shop that deals with european and exotics only, to my german mechanic who services the big 3, to a cousin who works for Audi service has told me that Mercedes has the least issues in gerneal, followed by BMW and then Audi (being the worse).
01-21-2013, 08:37 PM
#37
Junior Member
2007 GL 450 with 89,000 + miles on it. Two problems in that time (1) fuel pump failed - replaced under extended warantee (2) power steering pump - replaced under extended warantee. The Gl is still very solid with a continued good fit & finish with a great ride. No other problems other then tire changes and usual service.
01-22-2013, 09:20 PM
#38
Picked up vehicle yesterday. Was a failing oxygen sensor. Everything done under warranty and the car seems to be better than it was when we purchased it!
Fingers crossed for no more failures in the near future.
Fingers crossed for no more failures in the near future.
01-28-2013, 10:13 PM
#39
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GL 450
Lights on GL 450
Has anyone had issues with the headlights on their GL?
I own an '07 with just over 80,000... The passenger side headlights just stopped working, along with all rear windows... Oh my drivers side back door locked stopped working. I am taking it into the dealership on Thurs. morning. Are these signs of the vehicle downfall
I own an '07 with just over 80,000... The passenger side headlights just stopped working, along with all rear windows... Oh my drivers side back door locked stopped working. I am taking it into the dealership on Thurs. morning. Are these signs of the vehicle downfall
01-29-2013, 11:09 AM
#40
Has anyone had issues with the headlights on their GL?
I own an '07 with just over 80,000... The passenger side headlights just stopped working, along with all rear windows... Oh my drivers side back door locked stopped working. I am taking it into the dealership on Thurs. morning. Are these signs of the vehicle downfall
I own an '07 with just over 80,000... The passenger side headlights just stopped working, along with all rear windows... Oh my drivers side back door locked stopped working. I am taking it into the dealership on Thurs. morning. Are these signs of the vehicle downfall
the headlight and rear windows stopping at the same time - fuses need to be checked and the car read for shorts.
01-29-2013, 09:32 PM
#41
Super Member
Plenty of issues on my 08. I'd be out well over $10K in repairs in 2.5 years of ownership if it wasn't under warranty (original and CPO). It is the perfect vehicle for our needs, but I'll be car shopping once the warranty is up unless reliability improves dramatically in the next 1.5 years. So far, it has been one of the most unreliable vehicles I've ever owned.
02-01-2013, 02:38 AM
#42
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Mercedes S500, Mercedes GL450 Premier, Mercedes CLK550 Convertible, BMW 318is (sold)
I sympathize with you. I have a 2007 GL450 Premier Launch edition, and the rear window trim on mine has been peeling for over 2 years. MB Corporate says it could be due to chemicals in the car wash (YEAH right), but they wouldn't replace it. I also had to replace the strut on mine due to creaking, and the sprocket guide, which was a big job, but done under CPO.
I complained to MB about the frustrations and they agreed to extend my CPO warranty by one extra year at no cost. That said, my latest issue is marker and parking lamps which only work sometimes. The dealer says the bulbs need to be replaced, but this is a $300 job since the headlamp needs to be removed. I'm going to complain to the dealer that this should be covered under CPO since it is more likely a wiring issue.
Oh how I miss my 2002 Lexus RX300, 90,000 miles and never used the warranty once!
I complained to MB about the frustrations and they agreed to extend my CPO warranty by one extra year at no cost. That said, my latest issue is marker and parking lamps which only work sometimes. The dealer says the bulbs need to be replaced, but this is a $300 job since the headlamp needs to be removed. I'm going to complain to the dealer that this should be covered under CPO since it is more likely a wiring issue.
Oh how I miss my 2002 Lexus RX300, 90,000 miles and never used the warranty once!
02-01-2013, 03:57 AM
#44
I sympathize with you. I have a 2007 GL450 Premier Launch edition, and the rear window trim on mine has been peeling for over 2 years. MB Corporate says it could be due to chemicals in the car wash (YEAH right), but they wouldn't replace it. I also had to replace the strut on mine due to creaking, and the sprocket guide, which was a big job, but done under CPO.
I complained to MB about the frustrations and they agreed to extend my CPO warranty by one extra year at no cost. That said, my latest issue is marker and parking lamps which only work sometimes. The dealer says the bulbs need to be replaced, but this is a $300 job since the headlamp needs to be removed. I'm going to complain to the dealer that this should be covered under CPO since it is more likely a wiring issue.
Oh how I miss my 2002 Lexus RX300, 90,000 miles and never used the warranty once!
I complained to MB about the frustrations and they agreed to extend my CPO warranty by one extra year at no cost. That said, my latest issue is marker and parking lamps which only work sometimes. The dealer says the bulbs need to be replaced, but this is a $300 job since the headlamp needs to be removed. I'm going to complain to the dealer that this should be covered under CPO since it is more likely a wiring issue.
Oh how I miss my 2002 Lexus RX300, 90,000 miles and never used the warranty once!
02-01-2013, 06:23 PM
#45
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Mercedes S500, Mercedes GL450 Premier, Mercedes CLK550 Convertible, BMW 318is (sold)
Mileage is currently 78,000.
02-01-2013, 08:07 PM
#46
Out Of Control!!
Seems it is sun/UV exposure related, not just weather related.
I am thinking about using a UV protectant like you use on refinished headlights to keep mine from pealing.
I am thinking about using a UV protectant like you use on refinished headlights to keep mine from pealing.
02-01-2013, 10:15 PM
#48
Out Of Control!!
Every single 2007 and 2008 GL I looked at had some peeling except for two.
One had only 18K miles, and was probably garage kept.
The one I bought (Thank you scottybdiving) although it had 97K miles, was garaged at home and a work.
Some had even had the trim replaced and had it peal again.
I would have thought hat MB would have found and fixed the cause, but maybe the replacement pieces are old stock.
Has anyone noticed if later years (2009-2011) are having the same problem?
One had only 18K miles, and was probably garage kept.
The one I bought (Thank you scottybdiving) although it had 97K miles, was garaged at home and a work.
Some had even had the trim replaced and had it peal again.
I would have thought hat MB would have found and fixed the cause, but maybe the replacement pieces are old stock.
Has anyone noticed if later years (2009-2011) are having the same problem?
02-01-2013, 10:34 PM
#49
Yes, window trim on one side of my 09 was replaced under warranty around 45,000 miles. I only noticed it because I was looking for it. Dealership replaced, no questions asked.
02-13-2013, 08:19 PM
#50
my GL has around 70k on it, regular service etc etc- CEL came on today, car didnt start for a few tries and then started fine and CEL went away-
called my dealer, he had it driven to the dealership- hopefully get diagnostic tomorrow, thank GOD it has an extended warranty..... upto 100K
any thoughts?, I'm thinking air flow sensor, maybe gas cap(?), weathers been pretty cold, but nothing that the car is not used to.. just wondering what the most common issue folks have had with a GL Check engine light turning on?
thanks
called my dealer, he had it driven to the dealership- hopefully get diagnostic tomorrow, thank GOD it has an extended warranty..... upto 100K
any thoughts?, I'm thinking air flow sensor, maybe gas cap(?), weathers been pretty cold, but nothing that the car is not used to.. just wondering what the most common issue folks have had with a GL Check engine light turning on?
thanks
