Replacing transmission
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
Replacing transmission
Curious to know what other folks think here. Dropped off my 2015 GL550 for some odd shifting behavior from gears 2 to 3 and vice versa.. slight jerk nothing too harsh. Few days later dealer calls and says they diagnosed it and require a full transmission replacement. Is this common?? SA won’t say all details just that it’s not uncommon and he has seen a few get replaced in the past two years. I only got 62k miles on this thing.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,688
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Ask for a printed list of fault codes, diagnostic steps and a written reason for their recommendation. Then take the vehicle to an independent repair shop for a second opinion. It could be that a new conductor plate or torque converter is needed. Do some searching on this site and insist on a more detailed explanation.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
Will do. Right now I was told it’s under warranty review and initial findings came back that warranty will cover the full replacement. I’m just curious is it that easy to swap than fix??
Ask for a printed list of fault codes, diagnostic steps and a written reason for their recommendation. Then take the vehicle to an independent repair shop for a second opinion. It could be that a new conductor plate or torque converter is needed. Do some searching on this site and insist on a more detailed explanation.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 122
From: Illinois
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
My 2014 GL63 had a similar issue and the transmission was replaced, push your service adviser to get torque converter replaced too if it's not already on the list.
It took almost 1-2 months to get my approval - they sent someone from corporate, did some back/forth testing. Did some live data logging with corporate, then even did some with Germany.
On the AMG, with all the labor, I'm told around $15,000-$20,000 for the transmission + torque converter. None of it would have been covered, but thankfully I bought the factory CPO extended limited warranty.
I'm not sure if they have to drop the engine, but if they do, perfect time to do mods like upgraded turbos=)
It took almost 1-2 months to get my approval - they sent someone from corporate, did some back/forth testing. Did some live data logging with corporate, then even did some with Germany.
On the AMG, with all the labor, I'm told around $15,000-$20,000 for the transmission + torque converter. None of it would have been covered, but thankfully I bought the factory CPO extended limited warranty.
I'm not sure if they have to drop the engine, but if they do, perfect time to do mods like upgraded turbos=)
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,688
Likes: 4,582
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Hambone, to your question, transmission replacement is a faster and less expensive option than bench repair of a transmission, which takes more time and would likely be sent to a specialist shop.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
Yeap. So SA called me last week and said warranty approved completely transmission replacement. That was the good news. The bad news is that it comes from Germany and it may take about a month before it arrives.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
Around 61k. And oddly it was not a nuisance, just odd here and there if i drive slow the transmission jerked from gears 2 to 3 and 3 to 2.
I even did the adaptation (not sure if it was real or not) but it went away and came back. If i drove fast, then it shifted fine.My SA said that the master tech had thought it would be something called the valve body? idk cant recall. But eventually they decided it needed to be replaced. Bizarre!!
I even did the adaptation (not sure if it was real or not) but it went away and came back. If i drove fast, then it shifted fine.My SA said that the master tech had thought it would be something called the valve body? idk cant recall. But eventually they decided it needed to be replaced. Bizarre!!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 122
From: Illinois
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
That happened to me, and enjoyed a loaner the time being.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 122
From: Illinois
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
Oh - did you get your transfer case included in the repair?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 32
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From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
2014 GL350
I think my 2014 GL350 w/ ~90K has a similar issue. The shifts have become strange and hesitant, especially from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. When shifting, the drive disengages to shift to the next gear. Instead of immediately selecting and engaging the next gear, there is a period of hesitation where the revs will surge a bit. It gives the feeling that the transmission is slipping. I especially notice is when the temps are cold and the vehicle is cold. The strange behavior is not as obvious when the car has warmed up. I do follow the service schedule and had the transmission fluid and filter changed at the dealer.
I took a few videos of the behavior and am ready to present my case to the service department.
I love the GL350 but I can't say it has been trouble free. So far I've had the following fail:
Timing Chain (big job!)
Oil Cooler leak (big job!)
Ad Blue Heater
Intake Port Actuator
Front Axle Replacement
Level Sensors
Several 3rd Row Seat Issues
... and now transmission?
Getting that extended CPO warranty was the best decision ever.
I took a few videos of the behavior and am ready to present my case to the service department.
I love the GL350 but I can't say it has been trouble free. So far I've had the following fail:
Timing Chain (big job!)
Oil Cooler leak (big job!)
Ad Blue Heater
Intake Port Actuator
Front Axle Replacement
Level Sensors
Several 3rd Row Seat Issues
... and now transmission?
Getting that extended CPO warranty was the best decision ever.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Have you ever had the valvebody changed? If it is CPO, make sure to have them check and take them out for a drive so you can show them. Invariably, they will say they can't duplicate the issue if you just drop it off.
In addition, drop the diesel like it is hot before the warranty runs out. The leaking oil cooler and timing chain will rear their ugly head again around the same time/mileage you had the failures the first time.
In addition, drop the diesel like it is hot before the warranty runs out. The leaking oil cooler and timing chain will rear their ugly head again around the same time/mileage you had the failures the first time.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 122
From: Illinois
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
CPO Extended Warranty is awesome. If you have the same mindset as me, I'm hoping all the major stuff is done now and I'm going to keep my GL past the extended warranty.
I think my 2014 GL350 w/ ~90K has a similar issue. The shifts have become strange and hesitant, especially from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. When shifting, the drive disengages to shift to the next gear. Instead of immediately selecting and engaging the next gear, there is a period of hesitation where the revs will surge a bit. It gives the feeling that the transmission is slipping. I especially notice is when the temps are cold and the vehicle is cold. The strange behavior is not as obvious when the car has warmed up. I do follow the service schedule and had the transmission fluid and filter changed at the dealer.
I took a few videos of the behavior and am ready to present my case to the service department.
I love the GL350 but I can't say it has been trouble free. So far I've had the following fail:
Timing Chain (big job!)
Oil Cooler leak (big job!)
Ad Blue Heater
Intake Port Actuator
Front Axle Replacement
Level Sensors
Several 3rd Row Seat Issues
... and now transmission?
Getting that extended CPO warranty was the best decision ever.
I took a few videos of the behavior and am ready to present my case to the service department.
I love the GL350 but I can't say it has been trouble free. So far I've had the following fail:
Timing Chain (big job!)
Oil Cooler leak (big job!)
Ad Blue Heater
Intake Port Actuator
Front Axle Replacement
Level Sensors
Several 3rd Row Seat Issues
... and now transmission?
Getting that extended CPO warranty was the best decision ever.
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
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 66
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
The 2-3 shift can usually be adapted simply using the Star/Xentry program. I performed an adaptation reset for both my 2015 GL and 2012 ML both with OM642 and same 722.9 transmission and both of them exhibited a harsh upshift 2-3. After I performed the adaptation problem was almost gone for both of them, although the ML still had a little when the trans is cold. I guess it's probably because the adaptation was only done when the transmission was hot. In the adaptation program, ideally you should run at least 5 cycles for each trans temp condition (cold, warm and hot), but I don't think anyone has the luxury to really do all these cycles -- it will take at least half an hour to an hour to adapt each shift and you'll need to do at least 2-3 out of the 6 upshifts depending on the situation. Usually the 1-2 and 2-3 are the ones need adaptation the most while 3-4 and up usually don't. I adapted my GL when the tranny was warm and the result was better.
