petrenk01

I have an issue on my 09 GL450 with left rear door handle, it stopped react to the touch to unlock the car, other doors are working fine. but before that I happened, I noticed that the button on that same handle would not lock the car every time I push on it or I have to push it a few times, but now it's completely dead.
so my question is the the handle it self that needs to be replaced or there is something else I need to look at.

nynd

Common problem - my 2010 had it. Door handle needs to be replaced. Not sure why its always the rear drivers door side.

cztexas

Same. I got three replaced after a snow, which is covered by warranty, which is about $200+ for each one.
Or you may wait for couple of days, when it get warmer and dryer, it may work again.

Edhamo

For me it was the drivers door

Popo

Drivers door after 4 years from new, now drivers side rear door is intermittent after 7 years.
:-(

Edhamo

That only means that they are cheap quality.. mine is still under warranty but yes under four years.

petrenk01

so when you had fail on those door handle did you have an issues with key? like I have massage popping up from time to time "key not detected"

ksalno

Also a 2010 that needed the rear left door handle replaced. I assume that is because I use that one the most to lock the car. The "key not detected" sounds like a different problem. Have you tried a new battery in the key?

petrenk01

yes I did, even before I went here. but seems like most popular recommended suggestion is a battery change which is not working. the other thing I found here that people had dealer to update system firmware, I thought I would try it on my next wist at MB. same for the handle,(it just weird that it goes on and off) also people mentioned that the warranty covers these issues.

Edhamo

key not detected message has nothing to do with u not being able to open the door.. for me that message has only to do with battery replacement or ur key far enough from sensor?

sak335

My 2012 GL 350 is going to the dealer for warranty replacement of the passenger front handle on Tuesday. Pretty sad to see that this problem has run the entire model life, with no apparent updates despite the multitude of replacements. Has anybody heard what the actual failure mode is (i.e. what is actually breaking on the part?)

Isentropic

I'm having the same problem on both driver's side doors (front & rear). It used to work, then started working intermittently, and then all of sudden stopped. Someone mentioned trying a fuse replacement?? Is this true? I'm not even sure which fuse.

WaveyKat

Sometimes it just needs to be reset by the STAR DAS computer..

I had the same problem last year with the rear doors reset with my computer problem solved..

Only yesterday the front passenger door finally gave up and completely stopped working even with a reset. The new handle cost about $150 will replace during the summer

Jason B

My issue, 2012, is you can't lock it with the button on driver door. Ideas?

91stealthes

Most likely need a new handle. My 2012 driver rear was replaced just over 2-years ago and the driver front was replaced a month or two later.

Isentropic

Thanks for the suggestion. I have the STAR DAS computer but not sure how to reset the doors. Can you kindly advise on the procedure?
Thanks so much!

Isentropic

Very interesting, I just opened up the fuse box in the trunk. Then, I removed and replaced the fuse # 33 with some pliers, and toggled the remote fob couple times. I then put fuse #33 back in and locked the car using the remote.
Afterwards, when I put my hand on the door handle, the door unlocked miraculously (on both doors that were previously not working)!
HOWEVER, if I pressed the black lock button on any of those two doors, the handles would stop working again. This means the black buttons are the culprit and they are shorting the handle system, most likely.

WaveyKat

go into the Keyless go section on the DAS and erase the Codes the Door handle should start working again if not the handle will have to be replaced..

ydeardorff

Mine does this too, but only after a rain and it gets wet.

DennisG01

There might be a small tear in the black rubber button, allowing water to get in. If so, you can find replacement buttons on the internet pretty easily. Eventually, the handle will probably stop working all together so get it fixed sooner than later. Replacing the handle is a 10 minute job, though - you just have to buy the new handle. My driver's handle stopped working all together and for now, I simply swapped it with the rear door handle on the driver's side.

Yup497

HapoensHto my 2010 GL550 all the time. Wait a few days and it starts working again.