Model Year Matters

← All Mercedes-Benz models · GL, all years

2014 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

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

2014GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual

26 serious complaints of 39, the most about engine (11) and power train (4); per car on the road, 0.7× this model's usual year.

What owners report

“There were numerous Engine Oil Leak Recalls by Mercedes-Benz. There was a recent recalls announced in 2023, however, my vehicle 2014 GL450 with now about 50K miles, was not included in the list. Since there have been engine oil leaks problem reported and recalls, I'd like to report my car engine oil leaks problem too.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Apr 2025

“Vehicle was parked on the driveway, brake sign came on upon start and system malfunction error showed on screen, vehicle started lowering automatically and Air compressor stopped working.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Aug 2026

39 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 14–16 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2014 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

2010201120122013201420152016

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

2014 GL trims

GL 350 BLUETEC 4MATICGL 550 4MATICGL450 4MATICGL63 AMG 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

YearEnginesDriveFuel economyCrash ratingRecalls Owner complaintsMost-reported problemCarPlay
2016 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 250–362 hp
4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 429 hp
5.5L 8-cyl turbo
4WD14–19 mpg Not rated 0 20 Unknown or other (5) —
2015 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
4.7L 8-cyl turbo
5.5L 8-cyl turbo
4WD14–19 mpg Not rated 0 35 Engine (14) —
2014 4.7L 8-cyl turbo
5.5L 8-cyl turbo
4WD14–16 mpg Not rated 0 39 Engine (11) —
2013 4.7L 8-cyl turbo
5.5L 8-cyl turbo
4WD14–16 mpg Not rated 0 52 Engine (15) —
2012 4.7L 8-cyl
5.5L 8-cyl
4WD14–15 mpg Not rated 0 77 Air bags (40) —
2011 4.7L 8-cyl
5.5L 8-cyl
4WD14–15 mpg Not rated 0 97 Air bags (56) —
2010 4.7L 8-cyl
5.5L 8-cyl
4WD14 mpg Not rated 0 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
YearVersionStarsForward collision warning Lane departure warningRecallsComplaints
2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WDNot Rated OptionalOptional 720
2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WDNot Rated OptionalOptional 335
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-CLASS SUV 4WDNot Rated StandardNo 339
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WDNot Rated OptionalOptional 352
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV AWDNot Rated NoNo 377
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV RWDNot Rated NoNo 377
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV AWDNot Rated NoNo 597
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV RWDNot Rated NoNo 597
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4-DR w/SABNot Rated NoNo 366

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
YearEPA modelEnginesCombined
2016AMG GL63Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo 14
2016GL450 4maticAuto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo 19
2016GL550 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo 15
2015GL450 4maticAuto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo 19
2015GL550 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo 15
2015GL63 AMGAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo 14
2014GL450 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo 16
2014GL550 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo 15
2014GL63 AMGAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo 14
2013GL450 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo 16
2013GL550 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo 15
2013GL63 AMGAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo 14
2012GL450 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L 15
2012GL550 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L 14
2011GL450 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L 15
2011GL550 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L 14
2010GL450 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L 14
2010GL550 4maticAuto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L 14

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare with another vehicle