2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
4
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
79,555 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 1 of 4 complaints (25%).
  • Engine (1) and transmission & drivetrain (1) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 79,555 mi.
  • The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 has 5 recalls on file.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 problems by category

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Engine
    1 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Power train1
Unknown or other1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k130k–60k60k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 complaints that list mileage.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 recalls (5)

  • Recall 21V058000Feb 5, 20211,292,258 vehicles
    COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

    Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

  • Recall 19V787000Nov 1, 201924,226 vehicles
    COMMUNICATION

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

  • Recall 18V272000Apr 27, 20189,725 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.

    Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

  • Recall 17V816000Dec 18, 20178,700 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLS450, GLE63S 4Matic, GLS63 4Matic, S550e, S600, S63 AMG 4Matic, S65 AMG, S550, Mercedes-Maybach S600, Mercedes-Maybach S550 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE63S 4Matic Coupe, 2017-2018 GLS550 4Matic, S550 4Matic, 2018 S450, and S63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear passenger door on the driver side may indicate that it is locked, when it may not be. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

    Risk: If the door appears to be locked, the door may be unintentionally opened, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left rear door lock, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

  • Recall 17V077000Feb 8, 20175,882 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE 400 4Matic, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 350, GLE 550E 4Matic, GLE 63 AMG, GLE 63S AMG, GLE 43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE 63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLS 450 4Matic, GLS 550 4Matic, and GLS 63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. In certain types of crash events, the center console may unlatch, allowing the objects within to fly around the cabin. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

    Risk: In the event of a crash, if objects are not secured within the center console, they may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the center console so that it remains latched in a crash, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Recent 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 5, 2025GAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Feel unsafe fuel rails and more where recalled in April 2022 Not all gls550 were recalled at the time due to no reason Drive to Florida with my wife and kids and car gave up on the side of a bridge hwy over the ocean We were stuck car smelt like gas and wouldn’t turn on we had nowhere to get out on a 25ft bridge with no ac no emergency lanes with 5 kids all under age of 6
    NHTSA complaint #11678641 · source
  2. Filed Dec 18, 2021MAEngine
    We had our Mercedes GLS550 2017 with 59,295 overheat and call for immediate shut down on the Massachusetts Turnpike with my wife and child in the car. It was quite a dangerous situation because the failure caused by hose assembly 166-830-15-00 clamp (as described by the dealer as the reason for the loss of fluid and hose failure) caused almost an immediate overheating. The service advisor stated that it is "a quite common failure". I was quite suspicious, because just 11…
    NHTSA complaint #11444249 · source
  3. Filed Mar 12, 202154,000 miCOOther / Unknown
    My wife and i were driving from arizona to colorado. We were traveling at about 85 miles/ hr passing albuquerque. All of a sudden we felt and heard an explosion. My wife and i both ducked and fortunately i kept my hands on the wheel. We looked up and the sunroof had shattered and blown out. The only thing that saved us from being showered with glass was the shade of the sunroof was closed because the sunroof was closed at the time. We had t drive the remaining 400 miles with…
    NHTSA complaint #11402698 · source
  4. Filed Jul 21, 2020105,110 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain
    Rear axle lock up briefly made a sound like someone rear ended the car and snap the left side rear cv axle. Vehicle is awd and does not move on its own power.. Shop tow suv and on the air found the axle inner joint just spins but car does not move, they pulled the axle and the is metal burnt into the axle shaft seems rear diff lock up, oil was clean on the differential.
    NHTSA complaint #11340655 · source

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Other 2017 Mercedes-Benz models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology