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2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class airbags problems

severe 55 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
2injuries

When does it fail?

Of the 55 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.

0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
2 (100%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

Of the 5 model years of Mercedes-Benz GL-Class we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 55.

Airbags accounts for 57% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.

What owners are reporting 13 most recent

airbags · filed 12/27/2018

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-benz gl450. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-benz of white plains (50 bank st, white plains, ny 10606, (914) 750-4148) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the…

airbags · filed 12/16/2017

I have contacted Mercedes multiple times and also questioned each year when I have taken my vehicle in for service, always told the same....they have not received the replacement airbags. I have parked my vehicle because I am afraid to drive it.

airbags · filed 12/09/2017

Takata airbag still inside car, have been asking dealer for almost 3 years now to fix it, they state they have no parts? Why hasn't this been fixed. Now I hear takata filed bankruptcy, so what happens now? Shouldnt the dealers buy back the cars like vw did with the issue with mileage, this is a lot more serious, can cause death if in a crash and they cannot fix it.

airbags · filed 11/30/2017

The air bag has a hole/ damaged and Mercedes benz is not fixing it... Dangerous to drive and can cause death if not fixed immediately !

airbags · 69,000 mi · filed 11/19/2017

Takata recall - its been over a year and nothing has been done about this. The online system says that the part is not available. The dealer would not take the car in as a trade as they said they cant sell it.

airbags · filed 11/09/2017

Takata recall. It has been almost 2 years and replacement airbags are still not available

airbags · filed 11/08/2017

Takata recall...why is no one able to help me. My airbags have been recalled and I keep getting tossed around and no one is claming responsibility. The reason I purchased a Mercedes is for safety of my family of five. What do I do to get this fixed?

airbags · filed 11/07/2017

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-benz gl450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact received a recall notice over a year ago. The dealer (american service center associates, 585 n glebe rd, arlington, va 22203 (703) 525-2100) was contacted and confirmed that the parts…

airbags · filed 11/06/2017

Takata recall, parts are not available to replace in my 2011 Mercedes benz gl450

airbags · filed 11/03/2018

Takata recall: Mercedes benz contacted via mail stating the airbag recall back in february 2017 for 2011 gl450. Mb stated that airbags will be replace no later than june 2017. I have contacted two different Mercedes benz dealerships to have the airbag replace however; I was told that parts or the remedy was still not available. It's november 2018 and I am still waiting on a fixed, while I…

Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?

It's a meaningful issue. 55 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?

No active recalls currently cover airbags 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.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Mercedes-Benz/GL-Class. 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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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