Review and problems with our 2010 GL450
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
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E55-AMG
Review and problems with our 2010 GL450
It just fell off like the passenger side.
Driver keyless entry just stops working
Dash literally melting
Spots covering speed display keep getting worse.
After owning the truck for close to 5 years now I want to write this brief review that will be followed up with a full Blog eventually. The truck is nice overall both inside and out I will give it that. We have had it in the shop probably 15 times in the 5 years we have owned it. It was certified pre-owned with warranty so a lot of our issues were covered, however I am very unhappy with how it is aging now at 112,310 miles.
First Complaint:
The very first week we owned it with 30k miles, there was some malfunction with the steering column that caused the gear shifter to malfunction. My wife was on the highway stopped to re-secure my kid’s seatbelt and she noticed after engaging the park button, she was still moving forward. I confirmed the malfunction after thinking she didn’t press the button. The dealer said it was a sensor that was bad and fixed it.
Second Complaint:
The front end on this truck has never been right. At 40k miles the front end had a bad rattle over every bump we hit. Took it in they replaced the front right air-strut and another suspension component. We also paid for a front-end alignment. We left the dealership and the steering wheel was cocked to the left and stayed that way until I paid for another alignment a year later, while this was mostly the dealers fault "miscalibrated alignment machine", and not the vehicle, the front end altogether has been a real mess.
Third Complaint:
Around 60k miles, more front end noise and the truck doesn’t drive straight. When we were finally able to bring it int here was another front end suspension component issue fixed under warranty.
Fouth Complaint:
Around 80k miles, both rear suspension air-bags faulty and now out of warranty cost to repair was $2,850.00 approx. I purchased and installed theair-bags myself which was “very simple to do”, and the compressor pump went out so altogether it was $1,500.00. Just having a full suspension failure like we did under 100k miles is ridiculous and would cost you nearly $6,000.00 for the dealer to fix if your not mechanically inclined.
Fifth Complaint:
The check engine light has been on since 80k miles. Dealer said it was in the emissions system and would be $500.00 to fix. We had to leave it alone because we needed the SUV. When we were able to bring it in around 83k miles they fixed the problem again, the next day check engine light is back on. Brought it back and it was another emissions system component that was faulty. The check engine light to this day seems to come on and off as it feels the need to and I am just tired of taking it in.
Update #1 @ 99,000 miles
1) Check engine light still on and off at random times.
2) The SRS “airbag” light has been on for over ayear since the Takata airbag recall, so we are essentially driving a “deathtrap”. Still no date for a fix is available.
3) Front end jerks to the right over highway bumps.
4) Front end shakes excessively over bumps rattles and steering wheel vibrates.
Oh and this really pisses me off Did I mention the truck for this model year has optional rear air conditioning, so if you have kids like I do good freakin’ luck with that in the summer. I did not go to the dealer and buy a Mercedes to find out two years later that rear air is freaking optional!!!!!!!
Update #2 June, 2017 @ 109,000 miles
1) Takata still has no replacement airbags.
2) The rear hatch has intermittent failures.
3) Windshield wipers have in intermittent failure.
4) The driver door keyless entry has intermittent failures.
5) Both side view mirror covers have fallen off.
6) Dashboard components are melting (see photo above).
7) The speed LCD display is slowly developing little spots covering the speed numbers display only way to know speed is cruise control.
Update #4 September, 2017 @ 112,310 miles
1) Finally had the check engine light fixed. Apparently it was a faulty ground on an emissions system component under the fuel tank which is why it was so hard to diagnose. over 30k miles with the light on before they found it.
2) All four Tires have gone completely bald in under 15k miles. I believe it may be the cheaper set we purchased so a new set of continental 275 55/20 have been installed. The tire is slightly higher then the standard 275 50/20 stock, however only by around 1/2 inch so nothing dramatic only half the price of the stock size. I will report the results after a few thousand miles.
3) The loose suspension component is back on the lower front right side. There is a thump over every bump at low speed. Really aggravating how many times I have complained about this same noise. I am about to call lemon.
4) SRS Airbag recall still not available
Last edited by teamsilentstorm; Sep 17, 2017 at 03:25 PM. Reason: Update: September 2017
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 245
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2008 gl320cdi
I think any high end German vehicle is a roll of the dice . Which is a shame.since paying more then more dependable Japanese vehicle I bought mine an 08 gl320 used with 72k to replace a BMW coupe and a chevy 2500. Tow vehicle So I could have one vehicle. Plus my toy car
I have read many horror stories from timing chains to oil coolers ect... and have been waiting for the shoe to drop. But so far I have been lucky. I have 145k on it now. I feel you have to pay to play. You don't get this setup with another in my opinion I love the vehicle and don't know what I would rather have. It is the perfect daily driver and tow vehicle in one I plan to drive as long as I can.
But if if I had the issues you have had I'd be pissed as well. Wish you the best of luck finding an alternative. Mercedes benz sucks standing behind their product.
I have read many horror stories from timing chains to oil coolers ect... and have been waiting for the shoe to drop. But so far I have been lucky. I have 145k on it now. I feel you have to pay to play. You don't get this setup with another in my opinion I love the vehicle and don't know what I would rather have. It is the perfect daily driver and tow vehicle in one I plan to drive as long as I can.
But if if I had the issues you have had I'd be pissed as well. Wish you the best of luck finding an alternative. Mercedes benz sucks standing behind their product.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 409
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2008 GL320CDI (310k) & 2017 GLS450 (160k)
How much do you want for it in current condition? 
This. 
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
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BMW 335d
I agree completely with this. My BMW Diesel has been flawless other than a few emissions parts in the 100k miles of ownership. Others have had CBU and constant problems with sensors. The GL450 we now have (only had it a few months) seemed to be relatively problem free before we bought it other that power steering rack.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Sounds like you need complete front struts. Replace both fronts with Arnott's and the rear shocks too. Arnott makes great rear airbags. They come with a lifetime warranty and are a fraction of the cost of the new MB units. Take the car into the MB dealership and have it read. The 450's are typically rock solid.
Last edited by BlownV8; Mar 4, 2017 at 11:00 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 31
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2011 Mercedes GL450
I couldn't agree more, my 2011 has been the worst vehicle I've owned by far. It is the first and last Mercedes I will ever own. I had to by a 2009 Lexus 470 with 140,000 miles on it just to have as a back up vehicle when the Benz is in the shop. How crazy is that?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I have over 200k miles on my 2007 GL450 and it runs like it was new. The airmatic system seems like the only thing that needs attention from bad struts to leaky airbags. The rears are ridiculously easy to change and not very expensive.
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gl450 530i
my gl450 has 170k and counting in my 3 years of ownership i have replaced the following: all four airbags and rear shocks, sway bar end links, rear hatch lock three times all under FCPS awesome lifetime warranty on Mercedes genuine parts, intake manifold actuator lever, the rest has been normal maintenance spark plugs,ignition coils (two of them) oil changes and fluid changes. Id say overall this has been a great car and gets good mileage i average about 20 mpg on trips if not a tad more. It has greatly helped having the MB Star diagnostic equipment at my fingertips.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 247
Likes: 55
'07 GL450
my gl450 has 170k and counting in my 3 years of ownership i have replaced the following: all four airbags and rear shocks, sway bar end links, rear hatch lock three times all under FCPS awesome lifetime warranty on Mercedes genuine parts, intake manifold actuator lever, the rest has been normal maintenance spark plugs,ignition coils (two of them) oil changes and fluid changes. Id say overall this has been a great car and gets good mileage i average about 20 mpg on trips if not a tad more. It has greatly helped having the MB Star diagnostic equipment at my fingertips.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
My experience is similar to the original poster.
I've had a constant stream of expensive items failing on my 2011 GL350. And here in the Bay Area, labor is amazingly expensive.
It's currently in the shop for the passenger side blind spot assist sensor failing for the third time, and for a speed-related front-end thrumming noise that the techs think is probably the front differential failing. I rotated the tires and wiggled the wheel bearings - does not appear to be either.
I've not had to replace the airbags or the DEF heater or rear hatch lock yet - I'm sure they are all coming.
If I added up the retail cost of all of the under-warranty repairs on my truck, it's probably well over $20,000... And I only have 60,000 miles on the truck so far...
Both sides blind spot assist sensors replaced multiple times
Parking sensors replaced several times
Timing chain stretched and replaced
Oil seal failed and replaced
Multiple sensors failed and replaced
COMAND unit failed and replaced
Front differential - currently suspected as bad
Exhaust system remove and re-attach to fix persistent noise
Electronic ignition system replaced
Steering wheel wearing prematurely and replaced
Lots of miscellaneous trim parts
This is the only vehicle I've ever purchased an extended warranty for - and thank goodness I did.
I've had a constant stream of expensive items failing on my 2011 GL350. And here in the Bay Area, labor is amazingly expensive.
It's currently in the shop for the passenger side blind spot assist sensor failing for the third time, and for a speed-related front-end thrumming noise that the techs think is probably the front differential failing. I rotated the tires and wiggled the wheel bearings - does not appear to be either.
I've not had to replace the airbags or the DEF heater or rear hatch lock yet - I'm sure they are all coming.
If I added up the retail cost of all of the under-warranty repairs on my truck, it's probably well over $20,000... And I only have 60,000 miles on the truck so far...
Both sides blind spot assist sensors replaced multiple times
Parking sensors replaced several times
Timing chain stretched and replaced
Oil seal failed and replaced
Multiple sensors failed and replaced
COMAND unit failed and replaced
Front differential - currently suspected as bad
Exhaust system remove and re-attach to fix persistent noise
Electronic ignition system replaced
Steering wheel wearing prematurely and replaced
Lots of miscellaneous trim parts
This is the only vehicle I've ever purchased an extended warranty for - and thank goodness I did.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 437
Likes: 84
From: Espoo, Finland
2012 GL 350
I've got a 2012 GL 350 and it's got 55k miles on it. I bought it used with 19k and in the 30k miles since I bought it, it's spent far too much time in the shop.
Warranty work included:
Replacement of NOx sensor.
Replacement of drivers door handle.
Replacement of Ignition Module
Replacement of Turbo Oil Cooler Seals
Replacement of HVAC blower motor
I've done the following work myself:
Replaced F&R Anti-roll bar end links
Replaced Timing Chain and Tensioner (chain was stretched and noisy at 54k miles...)
It's my first and last Mercedes, but I'll drive it until I get tired of patching it back together. Given the cost there is no excuse for such incredible unreliability. I'll go back to driving BMWs which have been excellent for me the last 25 years.
Warranty work included:
Replacement of NOx sensor.
Replacement of drivers door handle.
Replacement of Ignition Module
Replacement of Turbo Oil Cooler Seals
Replacement of HVAC blower motor
I've done the following work myself:
Replaced F&R Anti-roll bar end links
Replaced Timing Chain and Tensioner (chain was stretched and noisy at 54k miles...)
It's my first and last Mercedes, but I'll drive it until I get tired of patching it back together. Given the cost there is no excuse for such incredible unreliability. I'll go back to driving BMWs which have been excellent for me the last 25 years.
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 245
Likes: 7
2008 gl320cdi
Only thing I can figure is there are enough people buying and leasing these cars new. Those who buy don't put a dime in them and sell them before problems or warranty expires, so Mercedes says **** on those who bring them in for service. Especially since this is where they make their money.
I have been lucky enough to get a good engine, so repairs in future hopefully will be worth it to me. Other then airmatic I have not had much issues. I have small leak at I think the air oil separator, which I will have addressed soon. I am waiting for the oil cooler seals. I plan to do a lot of preventative maintenance and some enhancements at that time.
I have been lucky enough to get a good engine, so repairs in future hopefully will be worth it to me. Other then airmatic I have not had much issues. I have small leak at I think the air oil separator, which I will have addressed soon. I am waiting for the oil cooler seals. I plan to do a lot of preventative maintenance and some enhancements at that time.
Last edited by smiledr996s; Mar 6, 2017 at 04:16 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
Just heard from the shop. They replaced my front wheel bearings, and that didn't solve the latest new thrumming noise, so now they are going to replace the front differential.
It's apparently a $6,000 item if not under warranty...
It can be rebuilt for like $300 in parts - so it's kind of amazing they just choose to replace it with a new one.
Thank goodness again for the umpteenth time for the extended warranty...
It's apparently a $6,000 item if not under warranty...
It can be rebuilt for like $300 in parts - so it's kind of amazing they just choose to replace it with a new one.
Thank goodness again for the umpteenth time for the extended warranty...
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2010 gl450
2010 GL450 AIRMATIC STRUT passenger side change at 24000 , 52000 , i took my car in to the shop to get new tires on it .. when i pick up my car a malfunction light came on .. I took it to the dealer to check out and they came back saying the strut need to be replace again, at 74000 . is this normal ? Dealer claims this normal wear for a 2010 gl450 only last about 30000 miles i feel this is insane for car with 74000 miles ...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 149
From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Not really. But everything does need to be replaced once.
All 4 corners of mine got replaced between 60-80k.
Are you sure they're replacing the same one and not a different one each time?
If you are replacing it each time. Something else is going on. Id start with replacing the relay. They can stick on.
All 4 corners of mine got replaced between 60-80k.
Are you sure they're replacing the same one and not a different one each time?
If you are replacing it each time. Something else is going on. Id start with replacing the relay. They can stick on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Airmatic springs (air bags) are a normal wear item.
A typical hydraulic shock absorber has a normal life of about 75k miles ... since the spring and shock absorber are combined into a single unit at the front, there is no engineering sense to design the spring to last any longer than the shock ... and you shouldn’t be driving on ineffective shocks.
Budget for Airmatic spring replacement just as you would for shock absorber replacement and stop describing normal maintenance as component failure and poor design.
A typical hydraulic shock absorber has a normal life of about 75k miles ... since the spring and shock absorber are combined into a single unit at the front, there is no engineering sense to design the spring to last any longer than the shock ... and you shouldn’t be driving on ineffective shocks.
Budget for Airmatic spring replacement just as you would for shock absorber replacement and stop describing normal maintenance as component failure and poor design.
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2010 gl450
I been taking my car to the same dealership for service .. All sides from the front have been change twice . but the passenger side would be 3 times now. I guess will start buying aftermarket parts it seems the dealer struts are not good quality . I would think at 74000 miles one replacement maybe two is normal wear but 3 times???? ...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 149
From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
......!źsomething else is going on. Maybe even faulty install.
You should be getting 60-80k out of each if mb branded parts.
Fcp euro or arnott from rockauto are your friend.
Might be worth it to diy just to know it's being done correctly.
Mb should have a 2 year parts and labor warranty if you did it at the dealership
You should be getting 60-80k out of each if mb branded parts.
Fcp euro or arnott from rockauto are your friend.
Might be worth it to diy just to know it's being done correctly.
Mb should have a 2 year parts and labor warranty if you did it at the dealership
