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2012 Mercedes-Benz GL

SUV · 2010–2016

2010–2016 Mercedes-Benz GL — 2010–2016 pictured. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2016The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual

69 serious complaints of 77, the most about air bags (40) and suspension (7); per car on the road, 1.2× this model's usual year.

What owners report

“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz gl350. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Dec 2016

“The rear suspension became soft after the dealer did an intial check after I complained about the vehicle feeling unstable after speeds of 70mph. I had both air shocks changed in the rear.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the suspension, Feb 2020

77 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 14–15 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features

Every GL year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Engines: 4.7L 8-cyl; 5.5L 8-cyl · Drive: 4WD

2012 GL trims

	GL350 BLUETEC 4-MATIC	GL450 4-MATIC	GL550 4-MATIC

base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Mercedes-Benz reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Mercedes-Benz aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2016	3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 250–362 hp 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 429 hp 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–19 mpg	Not rated	20	Unknown or other (5)	—
2015	3.0L 6-cyl turbo 4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–19 mpg	Not rated	35	Engine (14)	—
2014	4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–16 mpg	Not rated	39	Engine (11)	—
2013	4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–16 mpg	Not rated	52	Engine (15)	—
2012	4.7L 8-cyl 5.5L 8-cyl	4WD	14–15 mpg	Not rated	77	Air bags (40)	—
2011	4.7L 8-cyl 5.5L 8-cyl	4WD	14–15 mpg	Not rated	97	Air bags (56)	—
2010	4.7L 8-cyl 5.5L 8-cyl	4WD	14 mpg	Not rated	66	Air bags (30)	—

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2016	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	7	20
2015	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	3	35
2014	Mercedes-Benz GL-CLASS SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Standard	No	3	39
2013	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	3	52
2012	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	77
2012	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV RWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	77
2011	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	97
2011	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV RWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	97
2010	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4-DR w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	3	66

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2016	AMG GL63	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2016	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo	19
2016	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2015	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo	19
2015	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2015	GL63 AMG	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2014	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	16
2014	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2014	GL63 AMG	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2013	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	16
2013	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2013	GL63 AMG	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2012	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L	15
2012	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L	14
2011	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L	15
2011	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L	14
2010	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L	14
2010	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L	14

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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