Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 40 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
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.
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 40 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'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 40 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.