Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 GL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GL-Class since its last redesign.
Love/Hate Heartbreak
Schaffs04, 06/08/2016
updated 12/11/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
102 of 106 people found this review helpful
The GL was a dream come true for me at the beginning. One owner, 2011 GL450 with a clean carfax and good looking maintenance history. Purchased from an MB dealer in April 2015. On the upside it was incredibly comfortable, fast, elegant, and as capable of hauling 6 adults in comfort to dinner as it was pulling a trailer with 3 tons of rock. When it was right, it was a thing to behold. When it went wrong, as it often did, it was like getting kicked in the gut. In 12 months and 20k miles: *Front Airmatic failure: $2,450 to repair *Primary and Secondary Battery Failures: $550 to repair *Blown underhood fuse panel: $450 to repair. *Standard maintenance for the year: $800, and that was skipping the spark plugs due at 60k which would have been another $600. Insult to injury was the depreciation in just one year: close to 40%. It has gone away and I am back to a nice, reliable, Japanese Infiniti. No need for 7 passenger so I also downsized. The only way this truck makes sense is if you can either do the work yourself, or have no worries about significant unexpected repairs. Wanted one for 25 years and after a year with the Benz, I suggest if you want a 7 passenger SUV that can tow, save yourself the heart wrenching experience of a GL and buy a GMC Yukon or Lexus LX570.
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Nice, but costly to maintain
Abraham, 03/19/2016
updated 09/23/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
41 of 43 people found this review helpful
The performance of my GL350 is unacceptable at any level of quality standards. The Oil Cooler, AdBlu Heater, and GPS unit have all failed, within 5-8 thousand miles of the warranty. The costs to fix all these items are > 10% of the original purchase price of the car, at >$7,000. No one would offer that this performance meets or exceeds the most basic expectations. While MB national and local discounts were offered and accepted (20% off), I told the MB national representative, Andrea D., Case Manager, [contact info removed] that I doubted if that discount was near the profit margins enjoyed by MB on parts and labor, making the ENTIRE cost remediation of these issues on my shoulders. We didn’t SHARE the remediation, I paid for it ALL. I’ve purchased 4 Mercedes since 2008…I’ll not be an eager return MB buyer for my next auto… UPDATE - (9/16) Since this above, I've had the motor on the autolift tailgate fail and need to be replaced. Another $500 down the drain...
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2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class for sale near you
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Love at first sight!
m_taylor, 10/25/2011
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
51 of 54 people found this review helpful
Absolutely in love with my GL450, Great deal from MB of Tyson Conner, VA. Mr. Ayman Elasady gave us great support in making this deal happen. My GL is Black with impeccable styling. For 2012 the LED DRL's are standard and they really make the GL stand out. Great head turning ability as I drive on the highway. The V8 under the hood really make this thing move, and the sounds great. Not really happy with future tire selection for the 19" inch rims, but I am satisfied with current tires. The Continentals do not get good ratings online for snow traction I will find out this winter. Cornering on winding back roads at speeds of 45-60 mph great, handles like C class sports model. No real body sway noted. Command center still is outdated electronics is not MB's thing. I typically use the Mbrace iphone app to search for address, and destinations to send to the GL's Command GPS system much quicker than trying to enter by voice or manually. But overall still in love. The backup camera upgrade, & blind slide assist. are must haves. I have parked the GL in some very tight spots on the Mall in downtown DC, without the camera I would not have attempted. But with the camera parking was a breeze. The Honeymoon has only lasted 1,500 miles so far so good. I looked at the Lexus GX460, LX 570, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX56, and Ford Expedition King Ranch Edition. For my money this American Made SUV has room for 7 adult (Even in the 3rd row, I am 6'1" and very comfortable back there) and power to match. I will report on the towing capabilities later this spring 2012.
Impluse buy GL 450 - 6 years later
ashok.nair@yahoo.com, 04/27/2017
updated 11/07/2022
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
26 of 27 people found this review helpful
Have had the truck for about 9 years now (Trucks about 12Years old). The truck is built solid no rattling or other issues. Keep the routine service and keep cruising Traded in my perfectly fine and paid off 5 year old Odyssey for a CPO 2012 GL 450. 4 years later I still have my GL. What's to love, the commanding road feel, adequate power , may be slightly more than adequate power, good traction in snow, seat for 7 (although I miss my odyssey in that case), low road and wind noise. Excellent crash test ratings. The cons, maintenance is expensive, breaks and tires wear out faster than most cars/vans, airmatic suspension is prone to failure and when it does it will be expensive. I had had 2 airmatic replacements under warranty. Drinks gas! No more problems in the last couple of years. Just had to do regular maintenance 2 Accidents (got rear ended) later, we just love the car. The sense of saftey and security is priceless. The truck has been reliable. Finally got the takata airbag replacement out of the way. Will be looking for a replacement car in a couple of years and hope that Mercedes has a PHEV replacement Update April 2021 Cannot believe that I have kept my GL450 for such a long time. The car is 10 years old now and still is a solid car. Built like a tank which it is. May be I will keep her until the wheels fall off. Other than regular services this car had been nothing but a sweetheart!
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Worst vehicle ever! Better get real good warranty!
Brian, 03/15/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
42 of 45 people found this review helpful
Fell in love with the looks of this vehicle. We had a VW Passat TDI but needed a bigger vehicle, and this seemed perfect. We wanted the diesel for the torque and fuel economy. Very soon after buying it (used with 69,000 miles) we began having problem after problem. Key fob quit working and then mysteriously began working again and now quit again, front wheel bearing went, had it fixed, then had to bring it back after they said they needed to replace it again, got it back and the other one went, then the air strut which began popping over every bump soon after buying it. Motor mounts went, steering column module went bad, transmission valve body had to be replaced, and it still revs and slams into second gear the first time take off in cold weather. Oil cooler seals leak, dealer supposedly changed them but they began leaking again. Never noticed the leak until AFTER they changed them bit it is a common problem. Cost: almost $3,000. AdBlue tank heater went bad, $2,000. Glow plug control module went bad, sway bar bushings and links went bad, tailgate sometimes doesn't close unless you hit the button several times or lock and then u lock with the key fob if you close it with the fob. Can't fold the second row seat back down because the seatbelt gets stuck and I have to unbolt it from the bottom to raise the seat back up. Vehicle now has 83,000 miles. Our Land Rover LR3 never gave us any problems except for an air compressor thay went out and a wheel bearing, which I easilly tackled myself. Fuel economy is dismal for a diesel. Best I can get on the highway is 22 mpg with the cruise set at 75. Cebeer console is poorly designed. You can't put anything in it. Cargo cover is poorly designed. You can't use it without scratching the sides of the vehicle, and the seatbelt snag on it making it a pain to get it into the grooves. I could go on. the LR3 also rode so much smoother, and the headlights were 100 times better, especially the high beams. Cargo carrying was also better even though the GL is much larger. The air suspension also raised and lowered very quickly on the LR3. Takes forever to raise on this vehicle. If you buy one get ready to become good friends with the service people. On the bright side you'll get to test drive alot of cars because at least they give you a loaner car. I can't get rid of this thing either because despite the fact that I got a good deal below book value, it depreciated like a rock. I regret buying this car. I've had BMW's, Land Rovers amd another Mercedes, and while Land Rovers are supposed to be unreliable, this Mercedes is way way worse than any Land Rover I've ever owned, even my 2002 and 2003 discovery II. There are other things I've had to get repaired bUT since there are so many I can't remember them all. I will rejoice the day I can finally get rid of this. Never again will I buy another Mercedes Benz.
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6 Years of Maintenance Headaches, but still Own It
Jim A., 09/26/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
Original owner, vehicle serviced 100% by Mercedes repair/maintenance facilities in San Francisco & Monterey CA. After 50,000 miles, the maintenance problems began, and they are common to many other postings I have seen on the web. Engine oil cooler seals go ($4,000), front wheel bearings leak/go ($3,000), AdBlue Heater goes ($3,000), vehicle loses speed and requires multiple repair visits to finally repair fuel system problem ($2,500), plus regular maintenance that has averaged $1,500 per visit. Vehicle has locked me out twice, battery has unexpectedly drained on several occasions requiring jump-starts, "Check Engine" light goes on way too often, requiring dealership visits. Vehicle itself is a pleasure when it's working properly, but those intervals are getting shorter and shorter. Bought the diesel for power, efficiency and reliability but it's not turing out that way.
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Our 2nd GL. Won’t be the last
Edgar, 08/16/2018
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
31 of 33 people found this review helpful
Fantastic SUV for a large family. Accommodates our 3 kids, very large dog, great for skiing trips, adventures and family outings. Super safe, comfortable, decent fuel consumption, fairly reliable. At 80k-90k miles, be prepared for a major repair bill of air bags needed to be replaced.
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New to MB
srpastor1, 03/27/2011
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
55 of 60 people found this review helpful
It's been a month since I traded my Lexus LS430 sedan for a 2011 GL 450 SUV. I researched the luxury SUV segment for more than 6 months. I ordered it with the P2 option, entertainment center and other luxury options. After 1000 miles, I realize that German engineering is very different from Japanese. The GL is very quiet, roomy and an attention getter. The drivetrain is excellent and smooth. It is awkward getting in and out of the cabin. Sitting high is excellent for urban driving. Overall, I like this vehicle but am still acclimating to MB luxury. It meets my needs for additional seating with a luxury nameplate. As I expected, the gas mileage is consistent with this segment.
Continuous Costly Maintenance
Ken, 03/25/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
29 of 31 people found this review helpful
Here is a list of repairs on our GL350, 2011: 1. Fuel system changed, fuel rail, high pressure fuel pump, all 6 fuel injectors $600 each in part, total cost > $5000. 2. AdBlue preheater, $1300 part, total $2100 3. Pending issues, oil cooler seal leak, estimate $2800, part and labor 4. Pending issues, cold start rattling noise; most likely due to timing chain stretch MUST buy extended warranty if you still want this car. Highly recommend to wait until next business management change at corporate level to bring back their quality products. Currently, it's way below acceptable standard of practicing good business.
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My two GLs are the two worst cars we've ever owned
RC, 07/12/2017
updated 01/22/2018
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
59 of 66 people found this review helpful
We have had two purchased-new GLs, a gas 2007 model and a diesel 2012 model. The 2007 started falling apart almost immediately, with the ball joints and two of the air shocks dying at 15,000 miles. The other two shocks gave out within 5k miles. Our 2012 diesel was good for the first three years, but has recently been in the shop five times in four months, each time for multiple days. This has included: two air shocks dying, a replacement shock leaking, power steering pump leaking and dying, adblue heater dying, and some sort of coolant/water leak. The truck is back in again, as it has yet another leak and a clunking sound when it starts moving. Note that the oil change on these is over $1000, and the tires need to be replaced every year for $2000. We are still under warranty, but I am dumping this piece of junk when the extended warranty ends. The 2012 model had supposedly improved the problems of the 2007, but in my experience it is yet another expensive junker. Update: The clunking sound in the 2012 GL was due to a broken motor mount. The vacuum pump was also found to be defective during this monthly repair, and was spewing some sort of oil all over the motor. There is no way I would own this car without a warranty. ***Update 2: Edmunds requested I update this review. We ended up trading in the 2012 GL, after it went into the dealership for the sixth time in 5 months, each for a different, major problem. We traded in the GL and my CLS, and got two Audis instead. I will never buy a MBZ again, and I strongly recommend you run as quickly as you can from the GL.
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Rock Solid So Far
cyk, 11/17/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
We purchased a 2011 GL450 with 77k miles for $27k in Jan '15. So far the car has been reliable with the only repair being a set of front pads & rotors that set us back $600. We've racked up 25k miles and in that time have come to a few conclusions. 1) The build quality is not like MB of years past (we've had a few) where the doors had a tank-like closure and this GL feels comparatively "tinny". Materials are also a point of contention in that a car that had an original MSRP of $75k should come standard with leather seating, not the weird feeling MB Tex that comes standard. 2) The ride, while quiet, is heavy handed and feels unrefined over harsher pavement; poor compression damping would be my best description. 3) The engine's power is adequate, but I feel like another 100hp would be just about perfect. Considering the car lives at 8k ft with high gradient roads, an extra 100hp would offset the lack of O2. 4) Aesthetically, the car's exterior has held up quite nicely and still looks relatively new. The paint and trim all continue to have a high luster. 5) The depreciation on these is astounding and makes it a poor choice to purchase new. Our expectation is to run this car well past 200k miles and it has worked better than expected to date. Understanding repair & maintenance costs will be relatively high, the big MB mostly delivers for its intended purpose; i.e. family hauling and comfortable commuting.
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Dont buy used
mbpoorquality, 05/12/2015
updated 05/13/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
A used Mercedes, who brags about quality, should not need a new cylinder head at 65,000 miles. Running rough? When they do a compression test, dont be suprised if it is number 2 or number 4 on the passenger side. It will cost you $5000 and you can forget about warranty coverage. The electronics are way out of date. Save yourself money and frustration...do not buy used. And dont be misled when you get a call from Mercedes "corporate". It is some hourly employee who gets paid to tell you how special you are but they wont do a thing about their crappy motors. I will never buy another one. My AUDI Q7 is much better all the way around.
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Seduced by Styling
rcf8000, 12/28/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
The GL is a mixed bag of the great and not so great. The latter would include the ride quality and road noise, although my car has the 20 inch wheels and runflat tires, which may be worse than the standard 19 inch wheels. I find the seats to be a bit too firm, but then I find most luxury car seats to be too firm. The nav screen is a joke. It's too small, and the lettering is too small. And I can't read it at all when wearing sun glasses. But the guidance to programmed destinations works well. My car has the running boards, which make getting in and out somewhat awkward. They look good though!
2012 Model Year - good riddance
Hey Speed, 03/05/2019
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
19 of 22 people found this review helpful
There is a reason that 2012 was the last year for this version of the model. It was designed in probably 2006 before today's expectations of what should be standard in a car. Its a Mercedes through and through - some wonderful technology relative to the driving experience, so-so relative to interior comfort, a bit utilitarian, and small for a giant/heavy car. Back seats way to small for adults to be comfortable and forget getting adults into the 3rd row. If the car is primarily driven by one person, its wonderful for the road. Not so for suburban errands....
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Grey Ghost aka GL450
terp97, 12/07/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Turned in 08 for a new 11 and once again very happy. Navigation is improved but still short of Acura/Lexus. Rear Entertainment screens are nicer but placement is horrible. They should have stayin the headrest. DVD in the center counsel is great location and it would be nice to control the DVD playback from the command not just from one of two remotes. It would be nice if the 550 grill and fender flares could be had as in option. The grill is massive and really sets the GL off with out sucking up all that gas like the 550 not that the 450 is any better.
High maintenance and more maintenance problems
Nelson, 06/24/2020
updated 12/28/2020
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Every year you will have to take the car in for maintenance ($3,000-$5,000). Sensor problems inside engine, exhaust, diesel emissions fluid problems (add blue), you name it it always has problems. You can’t have a single full year without a problem and the car is used 5,000 miles per year. POSITIVE: it does drive very smooth, has good power, very comfortable, beautiful design, and holds my family of five very comfortably. We have invested so much with the purchase, and thousands in maintenance , and the value has DROPPED more than any other car I’ve ever seen (it would cost too much to get another car). DO NOT BUY, RUN AWAY. Especially stay away from bluetec versions.
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2011 GL 350 Bluetec
Atlanta North, 09/30/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
59 of 73 people found this review helpful
We just recently moved from a 2008 GL 320 CDI to the 2011 GL 350 Bluetec. The fit and finish and additional sound insulation in the 2011 are very noticeable. There are some nice feature upgrades from 2008 to 2011 such as bluetooth, voice control, HD radio etc. MB has definitely taken a step forward on what was already a great vehicle. The larger 20" tires on the '11 are definitely nicer than the 18" on the '08. We loved our previous GL and look forward to even better experience with our '11. In fact already the fuel economy seems slightly improved which was already impressive for such a large vehicle.
Goodbye Audi
Dan, 10/24/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I had been driving an Audi a8l (2007) and a Ford escape hybrid (2008) I wanted to consolidate to 1 vehicle--it needed to be an upscale, fuel efficient, and fairly large SUV (I haave 3 dogs and no way were they getting into the Audi). I found that in 3 years my Audi had taken a $58,000 depreciation hit! Still I liked the q7 tdi, and had never owned a Mercedes--I was so put out by Audi, that I went across the street and fell in love with the gl 350 bluetec. Its sumptuous and amazingly comfortable interior, quiet, quiet ride, beautiful rear visibility and increased cargo over the q7 sold me. I love this car! I give it a thumbs up and [violative content deleted] to Audi!
The most unreliable vehicle. Never Again!
Just a car Guy, 01/05/2019
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
We absolutely loved our GL350 when it was working and really wanted to love Mercedes-Benz; however, here are some of the repair challenges we had to deal with in only 100k miles of ownership. All 4 air struts timing chain replacement Timing chain tensioner failure/replacement Engine mounts Torque converter NOX sensor DEF filter failure/replacement Urea Fluid heater/gas tank replacement Coolant hose leak/replacement two engine oil line leaks Constant grey sludge being dropped from the vehicle on the driveway almost every bulb that produces light in the front of the vehicle. 3 batteries i'm sure there is something else i've left out We just cant justify spending additional money on the repairs at this point and Mercedes USA is no help so we had to get rid of her. We have moved on to Tesla ( i own a 120K mile Model S that has been an absolute dream to own and drive). We just purchased another one. Please don’t buy this vehicle or anything from Mercedes... You have been warned!
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Delightful Improvements
beechtiger, 01/20/2011
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I was delighted with significant improvements in Mercedes GL450 in the last few years. The firm seats are comfortable for both short and long distance driving. As a previous Land Cruiser owner, I am mighy pleased with the third row seats in GL450 as compared to Land Cruiser. It was a very simple push-button to set up the third row seats.
Better have a warranty
Mark Miller, 02/05/2016
updated 02/16/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car since new. It has been a love hate relationship. The fuel economy is very good for a full size, 3 row, all wheel drive vehicle. I have found the ride and handling and body rigidity to be sub par. Reliability has been below average with an engine leak at 50,000 miles that required the transmission to be dropped and cost $3,000. One of the air bladders in the suspension went out at 55,000 miles which cost $1000. An emission sensor went out at 60,000 miles which cost $2,000. Fuel filter recall occurred twice. You will get to know your service adviser well. That has been my experience with my other European luxury cars. I like the character and comfort of the car over the Asian makes. Given the lack of personality with the Asian equivalents I may try domestic next because the warranty will be out soon. The extended warranty definitely paid for itself. Addendum Watch out for poor resale value. Thanks to VW (diesel gate scandal) as well as Mercedes long term cost of ownership, when I went to trade in my Blue tec diesel for a new BMW X5 5 months ago I was offered $20,000 for a vehicle in perfect working order (other than needing new tires), having all the maintenance records,very good cosmetic shape (garaged throughout its life) with 65,000 miles on the odometer. It lost $53,000 dollars in value over 5 1/2 years. Poor resale is a trend with all Mercedes. They are so expensive to maintain and repair as they get older. Mercedes please get rid of the unnecessary complexity (ie air bladder suspension) which makes maintaining these vehicles past warranty difficult. By the way I bought an BMW X-5 diesel (was on special due to VW again) and its drive train is unbelievably better than the Mercedes diesel. It is the first diesel vehicle I have owned (and that is many) that I cannot tell its a diesel. Getting 28-30 mpg in suburban driving in the BMW with AWD. I no longer own the GL. I can say that my neighbor has traded in his 2015 GL after 2 years due to multiple visits to the dealership for mechanical issues. This vehicles are more complicated than they need to be.
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Follow Up to My 2016 Review
cyk, 06/19/2019
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
To recap, I purchased a ‘11 GL450 almost 5 years ago for $27k with 77k miles. The car now has 147k miles and I can say it’s been a stellar car. The utility of 7 seats and plenty of cargo room speaks for itself. The economy has also been acceptable, consistently returning 18mpg. Materials have stood up quite nicely to the daily abuse of a growing family. Maintenance costs have been minimal and reliability has been stellar. Outside of replacing brakes and regular oil changes, the only repair has been a suspension airbag. The original plan was to run the GL to 200k miles and if the last 70k miles are any indication, we may go much longer! Considering our great experience, we will be taking a very close look at a new GLS when the time comes.
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Astounding performance, agility & comfort !
Vinay S, 09/25/2021
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
If you are buying a Mercedes, common sense demands that you accept the fact that you are buying a vehicle that will not be inexpensive to buy and maintain. Once you accept this fact you will open your eyes to the astounding performance, agility, and durability of this beast! This vehicle is just superlative when it comes to comfort for the entire seven-member family. Having owned a couple of Nissan, Honda & Toyotas, I just can't help but be amazed by this silent giant! Have owned mine for over 7 years now and it's worth every penny! Again if you are a penny pincher this vehicle is not for you, since you will have some maintenance costs on few items like shock absorber replacement, brakes, etc, and all parts of this model are generally more expensive than other MB vehicle since its a very special vehicle.
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Gl350 blue teck 2012. junk on 4 tires
Gclass, 04/29/2021
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Unreliable..3 Times , i suffered à complete shut down due to sensor problems. Engine ,compressor,....problems,you name it. I spend more time repairing in the garage than on the Road. 2 wonderful moments as the owner Of this model...when you buy it...and then sell it
Very heavy, safe, and fast for its size
Tony, 03/28/2020
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I travel a lot and wanted a safe and comfortable SUV, all I can say is, this is it, I have had most of the issues people are talking about in their reviews, the only difference is that I have 160,000 miles on mine and have done all the maintenance the way I know it should be done, forget the manual, oil should be changed every 3K miles, its a diesel, no matter what you want to call it, its 3K or you will have issues, noise on cold start ups, is a timing chain tension er you can change from the outside of the motor, who else does that, and gave way at 150K miles, minor oil leaks but never the oil cooler seals, again 3K mile oil changes work here, 6 injectors just because was not happy with performance after 160K miles, car was still running, changed out the air suspension pump 180.00 on eBay,no big deal to swap out by any shop. I now have an electrical issue somewhere after replacing injectors, but once my mechanic fixes it,, I have no intentions in trading the car in, still runs like a luxury SUV, looks like a million bucks, and performs very well and feel very safe on the highway. If you dont like to spend money on maintenance, get a low end 4 banger Nissan, bottom line this is a very expensive automobile and so is the maintenance. if this is not what your willing to sacrifice for the price of luxury and performance, stay away.
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Very nearly perfect
expdek, 09/22/2011
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
14 of 18 people found this review helpful
Having owned a variety of minivans and large SUV's over the years, we were looking at the new Dodge Durango. A trip to Carmax to check the trade value on our van allowed us to walk the lot and we were taken by a GL450. We wanted new, so went to the local MB dealer and drove the 2011 GL450. End of story, we were sold with the ride, handling, luxury, and style compared to anything we had ever seen. The dealer encouraged us to try a GL350 diesel, and that really made the deal so much better, to have this kind of performance with this kind of fuel economy.
Trouble some vehicle
nafresh, 06/24/2015
updated 07/02/2018
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have 2013GL Since 2013 now after 48 months Engine and transmission start leaking oil Overall this 2013 is better than 2009 and 2011
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Had the suv for 4 years looks good
Has , 11/21/2019
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Get the good warranty for everything which I did and then your air shocks collapse and not covered because they called shock absorbers and i own a lot of Mercedes cars and suv 2011Gl 550 is a beast on the road handling is good safety is good but issues with air bags On shock are junk and Tire ware is unbelievable every winter new tires and expensive tires
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What a Luxury SUV Should Be
Mr. Jim, 04/07/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
We used to own a GMC Yukon XL Denali. That was a great roomy SUV but frankly it felt like driving a school bus around town, and long trips were kind of draining despite the fact the vehicle was roomy and comfortable. Our GL450 on the other hand has a little less room on the interior, but it is the best SUV I have ever driven. It steers and feels more like a big luxury sedan than a "truck". The seats are comfortable and look almost brand new on a car that is nearly 5 years old. There is plenty of room for our family of 5 and the third seat can be split or both side folded down to give cavernous storage room. The GL450 accelerates very well, brakes great and shifts smoothly. Some of the controls take a little getting used to and yes, it is a Mercedes so the maintenance can be a bit pricey. That said, we have had nothing major go wrong in the 2 plus years we have owned it. A couple of quirky things required fixing but were covered under the extended warranty we purchased. The GL450 has been really reliable and although the services can be costly, we always get a loaner and are treated with tremendous respect and courtesy by the Mercedes service staff. I think a lot of folks don't consider the loaner value when they complain about the cost of repairs. When I get our Ford or Buick fixed I'm usually out anywhere from $50-$100 to a rental car place. The GL450 looks great, is a safe and reliable luxury SUV.
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Amazingly smooth ride, love the engine noise
SK, 03/15/2017
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
Spacious, equipped with high quality materials, handles very well. only minor annoyance is lack of temperature guage
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Extremely slow parts delivery
dsimar, 04/05/2013
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
7 of 15 people found this review helpful
i bought a new 2012 gl450 end of august 2012. i was in an accident on jan 14th 2013. took the car to the liberty mutual authorised body shop here in town on the same day. it's been 11 weeks now and i'm still waiting on my car. reason- i have been told since early feb that they are waiting on the bumper. have called mercedes customer service several times, have a case manager there who updates me. first i was told that 60 bumpers were on back order, then a few days later i was told that 34 are still on back order. frustrating beyond belief. i don't think i will ever trust this car maker again.
American All-Star
Zach Vannoy, 09/27/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
5 of 13 people found this review helpful
After coming from 2011 "American" Escalade (Made in Russia)I have realized that I have been missing out on the Best SUV for the last 4 years. Since 2006 I have been buying a Cadillac Escalade for me, and a ESV for my wife. The GL provides a replacement for both. The third row is larger then the ESV's yet the car itself is smaller then the regular Escalade. Its far more easy to navigate around town, provides a better ride,has more passing power,and looks better in and out. Test drove the new Infiniti QX and the Lexus Lx. The third row seat in both of them were far smaller, and didnt handle as good. The Qx did have a nicer center row r, but was inferior elsewhere. Very Pleased overall.
What's better than one??
Fiddler, 05/08/2023
updated 11/13/2023
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought the first one used ultra-low mileage for 28K a couple of years ago. Was so impressed that when a second came along with even lower mileage at 22K, I couldn't resist adding that as well. We live near Yellowstone Park and at times really do need the AWD. These vehicles pamper you with a great ride and can get through virtually anything that Mother Nature throws their way. Air shocks have to be replaced along the way (ouch), but aside from that I consider these vehicles to a tremendous bargain for the money. Having lived with these now for a couple of years, I can say without a doubt that these are some of the best driving machines we have ever had and we have had a lot of high end vehicles over the years. I especially like the looks of these blending classic lines with aggressive details. We hope to keep these for a very long time.
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It's a mirage.
Disillusioned., 08/10/2023
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Stay away from this vehicle. It only looks beautiful on the outside and maybe in the interior. Like a mirage. Everything else is not worth your trouble. You name it, it will go bad. Had issues with the turbocharger, believe it or not! Apparently it wasn't getting enough oil on its moving parts so suffered a complete breakdown. It costs an arm and a leg at the dealership. The aftermarket one while a bit cheaper also brought with it a host of issues. Almost a year later, after numerous trips to the mechanic, it's finally working right. It's also time to get rid of this vehicle. Nothing but problems. Stay away! Well away!
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a piece Junk ! Do not buy it !!!
bingchan, 08/27/2011
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
32 of 139 people found this review helpful
After I brought the car home, foundout there is a long scratch on the side of window, the dealer's pre-sale service sucks, they did not even inspect the car ! After 3 weeks, the car was less than 1500 miles, the car's steelring wheel quit working during the middle of the turn, almost killed me by kissing the light pole... I had mercedes during the 90s, I can not beleive their quality and service gone so low . I would never buy another Mercedes. I had a Acura RL for years and I never had any problem with it, its quality, comfort,safety and equipment are way better than Mercedes, and 20k cheaper too.
7 Months More Than Satisfied
Oregon Owner, 04/19/2024
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought a 2011 GL-450 with 149K, one owner, and a CarFax showing all maintenance completed like clockwork at a Mercedes dealer for thr life of the vehicle. Some interesting maintenance history (replace fuse box, etc.) and we did go in understanding the “pay-to-play” concept that comes with a Mercedes. We’ve budgeted $80 p/month for repairs hoping the sinking find stays ahead of any problems. That being said, we’ve had the truck now for just over 7-1/2 months, have had no mechanical issues, and so far have over $800 in the maintenance sinking fund. We’ve driven the truck just over 5K and we have been really enjoying it. The truck is like new. All equipment works perfectly, the body has barely a small scratch anywhere and no bumps. The white paint is luminescent on a sunny day, the leather seats are infinitely adjustable and so comfortable, the engine has plenty of power, the standard sound system is very good, and it is a pleasure to drive. It is a very agile vehicle for being as large and heavy as it is, rides smooth always, and has very minimal road noise. For 7 months, our GL-450 has been our dream car.
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Gl550
Nancy H, 01/25/2023
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Trouble free car!
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Don't touch the Bluetec Diesel
Never_Mercedes_Again, 04/26/2023
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought a year and a half ago at 160,000 kms, mistakenly thinking the diesel would last a long time... At 200,000kms a main engine bearing spun, seized and the engine is toast according to Dealer, so basically a total loss. I believe there's a serious issue with the Diesel DPF regens excessively diluting the oil with fuel over time. Always used MB spec oil, and it used up to 3-4l of oil per 1000km. If an engine has oil, and doesn't overheat there's no way it should seize at 200,000kms. Beyond the engine, there was other constant issues in the year and a half that I had it. DPF got clogged- fortunately that and a pile of other stuff was fixed by Dealer under the class-action settlement. DEF heater went, Air Suspension was completely replaced (all struts, air springs & compressor), wheel bearing, blind spot sensor and rain sensor. It was a nice car to drive, until the engine went. As another reviewer said, the 2 best moments when you have this car is buying it, and selling it. Unfortunately my sale will be to an auto wrecker for peanuts. Never again Mercedes, total disappointment. Cost me about $15k / year to drive a 10 year old car, by far the worst vehicle I've ever owned and that is saying something.
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This is my first Mercedes and I'm flabbergasted.
Stevo, 03/07/2025
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We had a bit of bad luck after purchasing the 2012 gl350. In 2 months we racked up $13,500 in repairs that had to be done at the Mercedes dealer. 1. $9,000 for lost of power fix which was found on the wire harness. 2. $2,000 for a new braking computer that got wet from the rear sunroof. 3. $2700 for new rear suspension air bags replaced. Uhg...:(
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