Mercedes-Benz GL 450: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
419 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mercedes-Benz GL 450, model years 2007 to 2017. No model year stands out for the engine or transmission against the others. Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2014, 2013, 2010. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 115 | — | 2 | |
| 2008 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 55 | — | 2 | |
| 2009 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 15 | — | 3 | |
| 2010 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 42 | quiet: 3 of 7 | 3 | |
| 2011 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 55 | — | 3 | |
| 2012 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 47 | — | 3 | |
| 2013 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 37 | quiet: 2 of 7 | 3 | |
| 2014 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 21 | quiet: 1 of 7 | 3 | |
| 2015 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 18 | — | 3 | |
| 2016 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 13 | — | 5 | |
| 2017 GL 450FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 2 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your GL 450 at your mileage
The verdict depends on where your mileage sits against the mileages owners reported. Pick your year and mileage: free, no sign-up.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Mercedes-Benz AMG E 55 · Mercedes-Benz C 230 · Mercedes-Benz C 250 · Mercedes-Benz C 300 · Mercedes-Benz C 320 · Mercedes-Benz C 350 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz E 300 · Mercedes-Benz E 320 · Mercedes-Benz E 350 · Mercedes-Benz E 500 · Mercedes-Benz E 550 · Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 · Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 · Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 · Mercedes-Benz ML 320 · Mercedes-Benz ML 350 · Mercedes-Benz Metris · Mercedes-Benz R 350 · Mercedes-Benz S 430 · Mercedes-Benz S 500 · Mercedes-Benz S 550 · Mercedes-Benz S Class · Mercedes-Benz SL 500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: