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 was pinched in a bracket and subsequently chafed, which can potentially still cause a life threatening engine malfunction…
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of October 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 GLS-Class (this page) | 7 |
| 2020 GLS-Class | 17 |
| 2021 GLS-Class | 15 |
4fires
When does it fail?
Of the 7 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Fire started in the Engine and consumed the entire vehicle in less than 5 minutes
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 electrical problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 45,600 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 $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.
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/2017/Mercedes-Benz/GLS-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.