GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

2014 GL550 Distronic Plus makes grinding noise in stop and go traffic - Low speed

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Old Jul 5, 2016 | 11:46 PM
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andrewk-S550's Avatar
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From: Palatine IL
2013 S550 & 2024 Kia Carnival Prestige
2014 GL550 Distronic Plus makes grinding noise in stop and go traffic - Low speed

Need some help from those that use and and have Distronic Plus on GL's

While using at speeds above 30mph it brakes just fine, however when it gets to slower speed specially in stop and go traffic there is this rubbing/grinding noise coming from the rear when it brakes on its own.
Went to a dealer (since the car is on the warranty) I was told its the compressor working. and its ok the way it is.....
I do own 2013 S550 also with distronic plus and that car does not make that noise.
Let me clear out the noise description, it sounds and feels like ABS but of course not so loud maybe 3 out of 10.

Its supper annoying, specially knowing that other car does not do this.

Car is 100% under warranty

Can anyone help? please? Thank you.

Last edited by andrewk-S550; Jul 7, 2016 at 12:13 AM.
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Old Jul 6, 2016 | 05:42 AM
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2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
Mine also has this issue. The dealer updated some software, but I can't say that helped much. For me, it's most noticeable when ascending a slight hill, Distronic on, at 5-10 MPH.
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Old Jul 6, 2016 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by andrewk-S550
Need some help from those that use and and have Distronic Plus on GL's

While using at speeds above 30mph it breaks just fine, however when it gets to slower speed specially in stop and go traffic there is this rubbing/grinding noise coming from the rear when it breaks on its own.
Went to a dealer (since the car is on the warranty) I was told its the compressor working. and its ok the way it is.....
I do own 2013 S550 also with distronic plus and that car does not make that noise.
Let me clear out the noise description, it sounds and feels like ABS but of course not so loud maybe 3 out of 10.

Its supper annoying, specially knowing that other car does not do this.

Car is 100% under warranty

Can anyone help? please? Thank you.
I've noticed this on a recent trip. When at very slow speed in stop and go traffic.
Works fine at higher speeds like yours.
Next time I take it in for service I'll have them look at it.
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Old Jul 8, 2016 | 11:51 PM
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My ML does this as well. It's loud enough that my parents asked if my brakes were broken when crawling in traffic. No clue what causes it.
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Old Jul 17, 2016 | 08:47 AM
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All GLs equipped with distronic do this. It's annoying to say the least. My impression is that only the rear brakes are being used to slow the vehicle down. Similarly, only the rear brakes are used for crosswind assist (or whatever it's called) and lane keeping assist (whatever that's called). I think the distronic system on the GL is the beta version for a real system that uses all of the brakes. They are probably using the same controller for distronic that they use in those other systems. I should be able to use distronic in stop and go traffic but I can only handle the grinding for so long. It's like hearing someone run their fingernails down a chalkboard (for those of us that remember what that sounded like).
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Old Jul 18, 2016 | 03:46 AM
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18 Model X, 13 GL350, 13 Odyssey, 07 530i
My 2013 GL350 does NOT make the noise you described during stop-and-go traffic.
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Old Jul 18, 2016 | 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jacobsung
My 2013 GL350 does NOT make the noise you described during stop-and-go traffic.
Congrats, you own the only Distronic equipped X166 that doesn't. I've owned two, they both have done it. It is well documented, they all do it.
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