2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliability
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class over 12 years — 3 per year. That is more complaints per year than most GL-Class years here — over the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
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12
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (14 of 35), then Electrical system (4) and Seats (4). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.
The 2014 GL-Class has 39 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2016 has 20 complaints, 3 per year. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (35 total)
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"On 8/5/2026, the power boost on the vehicle was lost while at a nearby shopping center. Braking became very difficult and it was dangerous to drive even a little distance. There were no warning lights from the vehicle.…"
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"See attached document for complaint."
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"My 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 experienced an unexpected vehicle fire on Feb 13th 2026. The vehicle was just parked when I noticed smoke from the engine. The vehicle caught fire within a short period of time, and 911 was…"
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"My 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG has suffered two separate ECU failures caused by oil migrating through the engine wiring harness. The first failure occurred at ~42,600 miles in 2020, and the second at ~59,000 miles in…"
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"To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally request the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s assistance regarding a critical safety defect in my 2015 Mercedes‑Benz GL 450 (M278 engine). I purchased this…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
Recall 13V-166 covers certain 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles: second-row seat-belt anchor fitting bolts may not be properly torqued. The campaign lists 256 vehicles across those GL models; dealers check and tighten the bolts. Recall 18V-272 covers certain 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec, GL550, and GL63 AMG 4Matic vehicles (and ML/GLS models): power steering oil foam can leak from the reservoir. That multi-model campaign lists 9,725 vehicles; dealers correct the oil level and replace the reservoir sealing cap. Recall 16V-900 covers certain 2015 GL350/GL450/GL550 and related models for axle-carrier bolts that may loosen (48 vehicles).
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliable?
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class over 12 years — 3 per year. That is more complaints per year than most GL-Class years here — over the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (14 of 35), then Electrical system (4) and Seats (4). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2014 GL-Class has 39 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2016 has 20 complaints, 3 per year. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016.
Has the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class with NHTSA.
What oil does a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class take?
GL 450 lists 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 (~7.4 qt). Verify the MB approval sheet on the oil container.
What does recall 13V-166 cover on the GL-Class?
Certain 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles: second-row seat-belt related defect—see the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.
What tire sizes did the X166 GL-Class use?
275/55R19, 275/50R20, or 295/40R21 depending on trim.