THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO A 2007 MERCEDES GL450. I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. 14 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE WENT INTO THE SHOP. ON 2 OCCASIONS MY CAR SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN ON BUSY ROAD WAYS AND BOTH TIMES MERCEDES DID NOT WANT TO FIX THE CAR. MERCEDES CLAIMED A DRINK WAS SPILT IN THE CAR ON A COMPUTER SYSTEM UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ON …
2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class electrical problems
severe 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
THE ISM (INTELLIGENT SERVO MODULE) HAS FAILED IN MANY OF THE SIMILAR MERCEDES CARS THAT I OWN. I CAN NOT START THE CAR AND CAN NOT EVEN ORDER THIS PART BECAUSE ONLY A DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS PART. MY VEHICLE IS STUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY TO AN AFTERNOON LUNCH ON THE 5TH OF DECEMBER, 2014, THE DAY WAS CHILLY AND IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO HAVE THE HEATED SEATS ON... AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE AREA (IT WAS ACTUALLY MY SEAT LIGHTING ME ON FIRE), NEEDLESS TO SAY THE SMELL CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I LOOKED FOR A SAFE AR…
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING ON SEAT WARMERS, THE CAR SMELLED OF A BURNING SMELL AND I FELT A VERY HOT SPOT ON MY BACK. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMERS TO FIND A HOLE BURNED INTO THE LEATHER. ALL OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF 2007 MB GL-450.
I WAS IN MY 2007 MERCEDES GL450 AND HAD DRIVEN APPROX. 2 MILES WITH MY FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON. I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE SMELL AND SUDDENLY THE CABIN WAS STARTING TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF MY FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WAS ON FIRE. SNOW WAS ON THE GROUND SO I SCOOPED UP SNOW TO PACK IN THE FIRE/HOT SPOT WHICH HAD BURNED …
MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 580 EASTBOUND IN LIVERMORE, CA. OTHER DRIVERS WERE FLAGGING ME TO PULL OVER. MY CAR IS TOTALLY DESTROYED. IT TOOK 3 FIRE TRUCKS AND 1500 GALLONS OF WATER AND FOAM TO PUT OUT. THERE WAS JUST UNDER 1/2 TANK OF GAS. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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