Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes benz gl350. The contact was driving 25 MPH and noticed an abnormal grinding noise as the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer the steering system column was replaced however, the vehicle failure later recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class steering problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 3 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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 steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 11,299 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.