2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550: 3 recalls, 6 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #17V816000 · 2017 · 8,700 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear passenger door on the driver side May indicate that it is locked, when it May not be. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 206, "door locks and door retention components."
Why it matters: If the door appears to be locked, the door May be unintentionally opened, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left rear door lock, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #18V539000 · 2018 · 9,044 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles May not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.
Why it matters: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V058000 · 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to the part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module May fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (ecall) in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: Failure of the ecall system May result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (ota) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seat belts (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550 has 6 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 2 Gls 550 model years for complaints (1.5× the average Gls 550 year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 7,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (2 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550 problems?
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (2), transmission & drivetrain (1), electrical (1).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.7 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.