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2007 Mercedes Benz GL450

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

101 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seats. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports33 fire reports14 injury reports

Power Train complaints

17 reports
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130,000 miles · Oct 17, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer replaced the transmission control module. The manufactur…

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The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer replaced the transmission control module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated that their vehicle still has not been repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer have a remedy to fix the vehicle or accommodate him.

NHTSA ODI #11489565

135,000 miles · Nov 13, 2020
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT AND I COULD ONLY GO 40 MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD I STEPPED ON THE GAS. I HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT TEN MINUTES AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. AGAIN THIS WEEK IT ALSO HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11374601

142,000 miles · May 21, 2020
Power Train

MY CAR BATTERY DIED, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMPED MY CAR, MECHANIC REPLACED MY BATTERIES. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT THEN A MESSAGE CAME UP IN MY DASHBOARD IN RED SAYING TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE WORKSHOP WITHOUT SHIFTING GEARS; AFTER THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR AND DID SOME RESEARCH HE FOUND THAT THE INTELLIGENT SERVO …

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MY CAR BATTERY DIED, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMPED MY CAR, MECHANIC REPLACED MY BATTERIES. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT THEN A MESSAGE CAME UP IN MY DASHBOARD IN RED SAYING TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE WORKSHOP WITHOUT SHIFTING GEARS; AFTER THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR AND DID SOME RESEARCH HE FOUND THAT THE INTELLIGENT SERVO MODULE WAS BAD; THE CARD WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325388

117,000 miles · Mar 1, 2018
EnginePower Train

THE FOLLOWING CONDITION APPEARED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. (I PUT A DATE OF 1/1/18, IN THE BOX BELOW, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN, AND I FIND IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE). AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT TO BY ITSELF INTO 1ST GEAR SUDDENLY AND…

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THE FOLLOWING CONDITION APPEARED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. (I PUT A DATE OF 1/1/18, IN THE BOX BELOW, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN, AND I FIND IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE). AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT TO BY ITSELF INTO 1ST GEAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. EVEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS RPMS WILL SUDDENLY JUMP UP TO "RED-LINE" LIMITS AS THE DOWNSHIFT OCCURS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ENGINE MUST BE TURN OFF AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE FOLLOWING OR IN ADJACENT LANES TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ALSO, AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, VEHICLE RPMS DROP SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. TRANSMISSION BASICALLY DISENGAGES AND WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE EVEN WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. EQUALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION - ESPECIALLY WHEN DECELERATING ON FREEWAY OFF-RAMPS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED (ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE), AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER (BOUGHT NEW IN LATE 2006). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 117,500 MILES AS OF FEBRUARY 2018. WHAT ALARMS ME THE MOST IS THAT I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE REPORT EXACTLY THE SAME DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. EVEN MY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS SAYS ITS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I SAY IT'S A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I SHOULD KNOW, IN PART BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN REGISTERED TRAFFIC ENGINEER FOR OVER 39 YEARS, AND WAS A PAST RECIPIENT OF A NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FELLOWSHIP IN HIGHWAY SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI #11075715

125,000 miles · Jan 13, 2018
Power TrainSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL .MY CAR HAVE THE AIR SHOCKS COMPLETELY DOWN THE AIR IS ESCAPING FROM 3 OF THEM AND THE CAR LOOKS AND DRIVE VERY BAD ,ALSO THE TURBINE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR IS FAILING SINCE I PURCFCHASE THIS VEHICLE, THA CAR STOP MOVING FORWARD EVERY TIME IGOT TO A STOP ,AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN THE CAR ON IN ORD…

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TAKATA RECALL .MY CAR HAVE THE AIR SHOCKS COMPLETELY DOWN THE AIR IS ESCAPING FROM 3 OF THEM AND THE CAR LOOKS AND DRIVE VERY BAD ,ALSO THE TURBINE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR IS FAILING SINCE I PURCFCHASE THIS VEHICLE, THA CAR STOP MOVING FORWARD EVERY TIME IGOT TO A STOP ,AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN THE CAR ON IN ORDER TO KEEP MOVING

NHTSA ODI #11062600

130,000 miles · Sep 6, 2017
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE GEARS OPERATED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE GEARS OPERATED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND THAT THE SPEED AND PCU SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11021812

127,561 miles · Oct 11, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE REMAINED FUNCTIONAL DURING TWO OF THE FAILURES, BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE REMAINED FUNCTIONAL DURING TWO OF THE FAILURES, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,561.

NHTSA ODI #10915357

89,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Power Train

PREMATURE TRANSMISSION UP-SHIFT AND REMAINS UNRESPONSIVE TO THROTTLE POSITION. SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION CONDUCTOR PLATE/VALVE FAILURE AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED BY OTHERS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. WHEN WILL MB ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND ISSUE A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633589

56,350 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS GETTING STUCK IN A GEAR AND NOT SHIFTING UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT AND ACCELERATE TO MAINTAIN SPEED ON AN UPHILL INCLINE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS A SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD OTHER FAILURE TO SHIFT GEAR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE BEFORE AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT. THE "F…

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TRANSMISSION IS GETTING STUCK IN A GEAR AND NOT SHIFTING UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT AND ACCELERATE TO MAINTAIN SPEED ON AN UPHILL INCLINE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS A SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD OTHER FAILURE TO SHIFT GEAR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE BEFORE AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT. THE "FIX" IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. IF THIS FAILURE TO SHIFT GEARS OCCURS DURING A TURN OR OTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION IT CAN RESULT IN A FATALITY. I SEE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE ONLINE FROM OTHER '07 GL450 OWNERS. THIS HAS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583761

79,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO NOT SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR GOING UP A HILL.. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THIS HAPPENED ANOTHER 10 TIMES AND THEY SAID IS A INTAKE FLAP NOT CLOSING PROPERLY AND THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW ITS HAPPENING SO OFTEN IM AFRAID TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR O…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO NOT SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR GOING UP A HILL.. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THIS HAPPENED ANOTHER 10 TIMES AND THEY SAID IS A INTAKE FLAP NOT CLOSING PROPERLY AND THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW ITS HAPPENING SO OFTEN IM AFRAID TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON ACCOUNT THAT EVERY TIME IT STOPS SHIFTING WHEN I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND LOSE ALL POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560172

Official recalls

2

24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Apr 26, 2024

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

May 9, 2022

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.