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2017 Mercedes Benz Gls Class Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Mercedes Benz Gls Class has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Spontaneous shattering of sunroof or window glass.” Mercedes-Benz alternates two service events: Service A (oil, filter, inspection) at roughly 10,000 miles or 1 year, then Service B (Service A plus brake fluid, cabin filter, and deeper checks) at roughly 20,000 miles or 2 years — the ASSYST Plus counter in the cluster tells you which is due. Oil must carry the MB-Approval number your engine specifies (commonly 229.5, or 229.71 for newer 0W-20 engines); 'meets or exceeds' marketing language is not an approval. Electric EQB and EQS models keep the A/B rhythm for inspections, brake fluid, and cabin filters — just without oil.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Mercedes Benz Gls Class.

Reported to NHTSA

Spontaneous shattering of sunroof or window glass

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-04 → 2025-06

“Without warning and while driving, the panoramic glass sunroof suddenly shattered and exploded, sending glass shards and debris into the vehicle cabin”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11666914
“WE WERE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 85 MILES/ HR PASSING ALBUQUERQUE. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE FELT AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION. MY WIFE AND I BOTH DUCKED AND FORTUNATELY I KEPT MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL. WE LOOKED UP AND THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED AND BLOWN OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11402698
“I LOWER THE PASSENGER CAR WINDOW WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR IN A VERY HOT DAY AND THE WINDOW GLASS EXPLOTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A CAR DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE CAR WINDOW GLASS JUST EXPLOTED JUST BY LOWERING IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10970780

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Low-beam headlight visibility at night

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2022-03

“Over time, the low beam lights have faded which make it very difficult to see at night”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11455473
“HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT SAFE. FOWARD VISIBILITY IS VERY POOR. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11298065
“THE STANDARD HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM AND UNSUITABLE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THEY HAVE A BRIGHTNESS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO PARKING LIGHTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11045036

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission valve body or rear axle failure

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2025-10

“My 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is experiencing serious and unpredictable transmission behavior related to the valve body and shifting mechanism”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11695525
“REAR AXLE LOCK UP BRIEFLY MADE A SOUND LIKE SOMEONE REAR ENDED THE CAR AND SNAP THE LEFT SIDE REAR CV AXLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11340655
“REAR DIFFERENTIAL AXLE SEALS WERE DISTORTED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAD OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10896957

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat heater overheating or seat motor failure

SEATS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2026-07

“I was driving around and my [XXX] daughter was complaining that the seat was getting super hot . I told her to stop playing with the seat warmer she then replied she was not”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11748048
“I BOUGHT 2017 GLS 450 IN JULY LAST YEAR 2016.THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE PROPERLY FORWARD AND BACKWARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11030500
“HEADRESTS IN THE 2ND ROW ARE UNSAFE, IN THE UP POSITION IT HAS NO PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN OR ADULTS, IN THE DOWN POSITION IT PUSHES THE NECK AND HEAD OF ALL PASSENGERS FORWARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10865047

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine bay fire tied to electrical or fuel system fault

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2025-10

“On July 23, 2025, I drove my Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 to a medical appointment. After arriving, I parked near the valet station, turned off the car, and went inside to check in at LabCorp”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11693202
“Fire started in the Engine and consumed the entire vehicle in less than 5 minutes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11619840
“Our car, Mercedes GLS 450, caught on fire after pulled into the garage from a short drive on local streets, which resulted a total loss on our house”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11452172

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss or lane-assist swerve

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-04 → 2023-06

“The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after driving in a rainstorm, the power steering malfunction message was displayed. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering became inoperable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11529734
“WHEN IN DISTRONIC+ WHICH INCLUDES LANE KEEPING ASSIST, MY CAR SWERVES SHARPLY OUT OF ITS LANE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHICH, WHILE INFREQUENT, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11048747
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE TURNER TURNPIKE (BETWEEN TULSA AND OKC, AROUND 70-75MPH)THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING HAS SWERVED LEFT AND RIGHT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10969872

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airmatic air suspension system failure

SUSPENSION

2 NHTSA complaints · 2024-03 → 2024-12

“This is the 2nd time within a year my airmatic suspension system has went out while driving and I have lost control of driving my vehicle. I have paid 3900 to have the problem repaired it has not been a year and the same issue has happened”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11628461
“My suspension failed would not send any air pressure to lift my vehicle while driving my car ride was very bumpy and I loss contol”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11577198

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Service A — Oil & Filter + Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months: oil and filter with MB-Approved oil, fluid top-offs, tire check, and inspection. AMG models driven hard: many owners service at 5,000-7,500 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Service B — Major Inspection

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles or 2 years, alternating with Service A: everything in A plus brake-fluid replacement, cabin filter, and a deeper multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and driveline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every Service A where the tire sizes allow. Many AMG and 4MATIC+ models run staggered widths that can't rotate front-to-rear — check your spec before paying for a rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Checked at every A/B service via electronic pad-wear sensors. Replace sensors with pads. Heavy EQS models wear pads slowly (regen braking) but rotors can corrode from disuse — an inspection catches that.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced every 2 years as part of Service B — Mercedes schedules it on time, not miles, because DOT 4 fluid absorbs moisture regardless of driving.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7G / 9G-Tronic)

Every 70,000 mi

Mercedes specifies fluid and filter service around 70,000 miles on most 7G- and 9G-Tronic gearboxes — check your year's sheet. Use only the MB-spec fluid for your transmission code; independent specialists often service at 60,000 on hard-driven cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Most modern MB gas engines: plugs around 60,000 miles — AMG engines often sooner. Check your engine's sheet; twin-turbo V8 plug jobs are labor-heavy, so pair with other scheduled work.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace around every 40,000 miles (twin-filter setups on V6/V8 engines double the parts bill). Inspected at every Service B.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Combination / Dust Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced with every Service B. Models with the ENERGIZING air package use a higher-grade filter — priced accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

MB-spec coolant is long-life (typically ~10 years / 150,000 miles on the sheet). Refresh only with MB 325/326-spec coolant — the wrong chemistry attacks aluminum and head gaskets.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

12V & Auxiliary Battery

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Most modern Mercedes carry a second auxiliary battery; a weak one triggers cascading warning messages long before a no-start. EQ models also depend on the 12V system to boot.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

1 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Mercedes Benz Gls Class reflects Mercedes-Benz's published service intervals and the ASSYST Plus (Service A / Service B) system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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