2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 41 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has 41 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 7 complaints, typically surfacing around 45,600 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 GLS-Class (this page) | 41 | 0 |
| 2018 GLS-Class | 22 | 0 |
| 2019 GLS-Class | 26 | 0 |
| 2020 GLS-Class | 38 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 45,600 mi · ~$850 to fix
- lighting — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 27,049 mi · ~$250 to fix
- steering — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 13,153 mi · ~$700 to fix
- engine — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 56,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 45,600 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
The other day after a storm my SUV was parked at the street and when I opened the lift gate water start to coming out from the interior I also could see water in the interior ligths .
Vehicle is only 3 weeks old. A faulty engine wire harness caused the vehicle to cease operating in traffic and put my family in a potentially life threatening situation. Mercedes did not replace but only "repaired" the wire, which we were told was not assembled correctly and…
On friday 11/30 my 2017 Mercedes gl450 suffered a catastrophic electronic malfunction that LED to a) no ability to get car out of drive (e.g. Wouldn't park, reverse, couldn't take my foot off the brake), b) no ability to turn car off, c) power steering went out, d) airbags…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 7 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,600 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 41 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 45,600 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 7 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,600 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,600 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 41 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.