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Mercedes-Benz GL450 Reliable?

86 messages,  Last post on Apr 18, 2013 at 9:36 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, SUV

    

Messages Page 7 of 9

#59 of 86 Re: Best deal for 2008 GL450 [kevin833] by bleatherman

Jun 02, 2012 (6:19 pm)

Replying to: kevin833 (Jan 21, 2008 1:29 am)
I am the original owner of a 2009 GL320. I have had it into the MB dealership 11 times for warranty issues. I am a mechanic. The mechanics at MB are certainly not the best and the car has lots of problems:
1 bad harness, caused me to be stuck where engine would not run
2 bad catalytic converter
3 bad key- could not lock, unlock or run
4 check eng light on 4 times for adblue, when it was not low.
5 lost my plastic bottom eng/tranny cover- dealership problem- not the car
6 exh temp sensor upstream bad
7 ac vent fell apart
8 headphone for MB video sys went bad- poor connections
    we only used a few times on long trips
9 dlr caused- loose exh pipe, from when they changed the cat converter
10 noise from exh pipe, from when dlr changed cat converter.
 
i love the performance, except for poor acceleration, but it is a diesel.
fuel economy is 22-23 which is great, towing power great, looks great, interior parts/finish great, tires--- i chose not to go with 2500.00 run flats. put continental tires on from tirerack.com. i get adblue from VW dealer for 1/2 the price.
 
i will not buy another MB product, my wife's E350 has worse stories.

#60 of 86 Free at Last by ermsam

Jun 03, 2012 (7:27 pm)

Today is a glorious day for I have finally sold my wretched GL-450 and now I am forever free of its grip of terror! After nearly being burnt alive when the drivers seat caught fire while driving down the road, having to replace the transmission twice, having to replace the tail gait, and having to deal with things turning on and off by themselves I am finally free! Free at last free at last thank God Oh! Mighty, I am free. Bothers and Sisters break those LEMON scented chains and run to CARMAX! Yes, I'm a bit over the top, but you've idea! WELL, yeah you do! So you should understand why I'm sooo dramatic and over-the-top!

#61 of 86 Re: Last Mercedes, Total POS [rickc1] by rickc1

Jun 06, 2012 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: rickc1 (May 27, 2012 4:13 pm)
Here is an update. We towed the car in and the dealer found that the power steering pump failed, reservoir was bad, and right front strut was leaking. We replaced the left front strut 2 years ago. We replaced the new stuff. Then when we got home from the dealer, the window switches flew off. We brought the car in again for new switches, and the service rep calls back. "We noticed now that your right REAR strut is leaking and needs replacement!" The struts have been replaced under extended warranty so I don't think they are trying to skin me. This car is a complete disaster. Run away as fast as you can from these POSs.

#62 of 86 Do Not Buy by gregoryx

Jun 09, 2012 (10:25 pm)

Believing the hype of Mercedes and finally able to purchase a luxury vehicle, I purchased a ml320 in 2002. The car initially was great but after 4 years began to be a money sinker .... Fast forward 7 years I attributed the expenses to bad luck and then bought my wife a cpo 2009 gl 320 bluetec. I tried to convince my wife to get thebaudi q7 or the x5 or my favorite - the Tahoe. She was fixated on the Benz so I bought it.
2.5 years and 6100 of maintenance later I am about to sell this car and buy something, anything else. She is at dealer every other month for something. It is crazy. In comparison, I have BMW and no problems at all. I also owned an Acura rl - no problems. The Mercedes line is not good

#63 of 86 Re: Mercedes GL 320 CDI by lsv2

Jul 05, 2012 (4:18 am)

Replying to: aorex (Mar 04, 2012 9:49 pm)
I have to say, I have found the GL to be not the best car Mercedes have built.
I have owned a 2008 GL320 cdi 36000 miles, for 18 months. The engine uses 2 lts per 700 miles, mercedes assure me this is within parameters, it breathes through the oil filler, also within mercedes parameters, black exhaust deposits on rear bumper and tail pipes mercededs assure me this is also normal!. Dealer never mentioned it when I went to buy it, how strange!) |A front suspension strut has failed (Warranty work) associated suspension levelling problems returned to dealer with steering wander (warranty work). Self levelling sensor arms seized all round, now the tailgate latch has failed, to buy, with all discounts and self fit £188.00 All I wanted was a vehicle that would drive from service to service without lifting the bonnet. My Mitsubishi did it for 12 years. NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL.

#64 of 86 GL 450 Problems by frustratedinmd

Jul 14, 2012 (4:36 pm)

In 2010, we traded a 2005 Toyota Highlander for a 2007 MB GL 450; we traded at CARMAX and got a great deal on the trade. Additionally, it seemed the MB was a good deal, with only 26K miles on it at the time. We absolutely loved the MB at first...most important to us was room and comfort and it passed the ultimate test: a 1500 mile family road trip. The usual oil changes, periodic maintenance. In the last year, several things went wrong. As some previously mentioned, window mechanism switches; then, brake pads and rotors needed replacement; once or twice, it stalled while driving and explained by a mere bubble in the gas line. Some things, covered by the warranty, some not. Worth mentioning that the extended warranty expired in May this year. Three weeks ago, another instance of stalling. This time, the engine started right back up, but did not go into gear...neither reverse nor drive. I was towed to the nearest dealership and initially, the problem was described as a conductor plate sensor problem. Research discovered that this was/is a common problem. Two days later, described as a transmission problem that masked itself as a conductor plate problem. Not surprisingly, I am baffled that a 5-year old vehicle with less than 100K miles needs a transmission replacement. I am certain this doesn't happen to other vehicles of other makes. When I challenged the dealership, the onus was placed on me; that I did not have transmission service done on the vehicle and shouldn't expect relief from the balance due upon service completion. Copies of service and oil changes done on the vehicle were not sufficient. Given I don't have many choices, I requested a used or rebuilt transmission be found. The dealership did not find one to match and ordered a new one. I feel like my hands have been tied and am disappointed to be in this situation. After sinking so much money into this car, we will keep it and pray that nothing else happens to it. If so, we will certainly opt to take our losses and rid ourselves of this vehicle. Our next purchase will not be a MB; likely an Audi.

#65 of 86 Re: Problems [rcf8000] by rmussel22

Aug 11, 2012 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: rcf8000 (May 28, 2012 6:10 am)
I have the same problems with my 2008 GL 450. I have had suspension problems-one side replaced, dealer split the cost with me. New tires after 1 year. Engine light goes on and off at will. My a/c does the same thing and the mechanic can't seem to find the problem. How did they fix your a/c? I live in Texas and it is 100 degrees here and I never know when my a/c will kick in and out. Thanks for the help.

#66 of 86 Re: Last Mercedes, Total POS [aorex] by dsmillie

Oct 21, 2012 (5:53 pm)

Replying to: aorex (Mar 04, 2012 9:49 pm)
I agree completely.I'll never buy a Mercedes again.
 
i have spent many thousands of dollars fixing my 2007 GL and it still needs more work.
 
The power steering failed ($2200), the check engine light ($2200 for intake manifold and it didn't fix problem), the suspension is knocking, the transmission makes a terrible sound when going into gear.
 
If anyone organizes a class action suit please post it here.

#67 of 86 2008 GL Breakdowns by bmwconvert

Dec 18, 2012 (7:20 am)

Just browsing this forum after being away several years. Not surprised to see posts that are similar to my experiences.
2008 GL450 has had the following problems:
- Power steering mechanism (something under the hood) - replaced under warranty a few years back
- Steering fluid leaking - had to replace the entire Rack and Pinion system - ~$2,500
- All four air shocks (when parked car would "fall" down on itself, then pump itself back up when running) - ~$2,000
- Electronic console/nav/radio/etc. - ~$1,500
- Ignition electronics (car failed to start) - $500
- Now the steering column must be replaced - ~$2,200 (motor that raises/lowers malfunctioned so entire column must be replaced)
 
5 years, 75,000 miles on it, so the vehicle is not young but to have this amount of breakdowns to parts that shouldn't really ever break is inexcusable. I raised the issue with MBUSA and spoke to a case manager, but they are unwilling to do anything about it.
 
Unfortunate because aside from these problems, I love the vehicle. Despite the problems, I may get a 2013 because I can't find another vehicle in this size that has the same ride, handling, comfort, etc. Too bad the price to pay is unreliability. This time I will lease and let them pay for the repairs.

#68 of 86 Re: 2008 GL Breakdowns [bmwconvert] by steve_ HOST

Dec 18, 2012 (7:26 am)

Replying to: bmwconvert (Dec 18, 2012 7:20 am)
Wow, ~$8,200 in repairs over 5 years is pretty steep. Wonder how much an extended warranty costs and whether most of your work would have been excluded anyway if you had one.
 
Thanks for the report.

Messages Page 7 of 9

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