2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Powertrain & Transmission Problems

While driving on the highway approximately 70 mph the car stalled. I slowly came to a stop, unable to restart the car. After getting towed to a nearby Mercedes service shop, They diagnosed the issue as inaccurate fuel gauge and refueled the car. At the time the car stalled, the tank was approximately 1/8 full according to the gauge, but in fact the car stalled because it ran out of fuel. They were unable to pinpoint why they fuel gauge was showing the wrong level.

I am reaching out to bring to your attention a significant manufacturing flaw in the Mercedes GL450 model, which poses a severe risk to both vehicle functionality and passenger safety. The issue pertains to water infiltration into the battery compartment situated beneath the front passenger seat and concealed beneath the carpet. Even minor rainfall or streetwater has been found to breach this compartment, causing extensive damage to the vehicle's electronic systems. This results in highly precarious and unpredictable behavior, endangering both occupants and road users. As a poignant example, my own GL450, a 2013 model, has exhibited alarming symptoms. Despite being securely in "PARK" mode, upon simply opening the car door, it displays a distressing message: "Transmission Not in P Risk of Vehicle Rolling Away." Furthermore, the transmission intermittently ceases to shift from "P," presenting an imminent hazard to myself and my children. Despite numerous attempts to engage with Mercedes Headquarters regarding this critical matter, regrettably, they have declined to address the issue, citing its expiration beyond the warranty period. However, extensive research indicates that this flaw is pervasive among GL450 owners, as evidenced by discussions on various automotive forums, such as: [XXX] [XXX] I am profoundly concerned about the gravity of this situation and implore you to take immediate action to rectify this widespread issue. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience at [XXX] . I am more than willing to provide further details regarding my experiences and observations. I earnestly anticipate your prompt response and resolution to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked; however, while opening the door to enter the vehicle, the message "Transmission not in P, Risk of Vehicle Rolling Away" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and moved the gear shifter in and out of park(P); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that other unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that he became aware that there was water accumulation underneath the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that there was water on the battery and electrical wiring. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The Insurance Company later informed the contact that the water had frozen because the dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle or drained the water. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

2013 MERCEDES ROUGH RUNNING AT IDLE, VARIOUS FAULTS STORED FOR INJECTOR QUANTITY COMPENSATION FOR CYLINDER BALANCING. FAULT CODE P1CWF-85. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME ON. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS FOUND THAT BOTH ENGINE BANK 1 AND 2 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE FULL OF OIL DUE TO FAILED INTERNAL PACKING OF SENSOR. INSPECTED INJECTOR CONNECTORS AND HAD OIL, O2 SENSORS CONNECTOR HAD OIL, POWER TRAIN CONTROL UNIT FULL OF OIL. IF ENOUGH OIL WAS TO FLOW THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE CONTROL UNIT AS SUCH THIS INSTANCE OR SENSOR MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND VEHICLES ABILITY TO DRIVE. IF THE VEHICLE IS ON THE HIGHWAY AND STOPS WORKING MAY ENDANGER OCCUPANTS. ALSO NOTED THAT THE FAILED PART IS A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN FOR PREVIOUS MALES AND MODELS BUT THIS 2013 GL550 IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PART NUMBER IS USED IN THE NEW CARS AS THE PREVIOUS VEHICLES WITH THIS MERCEDES BENZ ACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE. ALSO NOTED THAT THE BODY HARNESS CONNECT TO THE SAME ENGINE CONTROL UNIT WHICH CONTROLS THE SAFETY FUNCTIONS SUCH AS AIRBAGS, SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.*DT*JB

THIS CAR HAS LOT OF ISSUES WITH WATER PUMP, RADIATOR LEAK, LOT OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. OIL LEAK IT'S GOT LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. RADIATOR HOSES LEAK. CAR STOPPED ON MASS PIKE GOING TO ALBANY, NY TOOK IT TO BENZ OF ALBANY THEY SAID ENGINE MISFIRES NEEDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND IT WOULD COST $47,000 TO REPLACE. VERY VERY BAD ENGINES. I LEFT A VOICEMAIL ON BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NO ONE CALLED BACK OR SEND ME ANY TYPE OF RECALLS. VERY BAD SERVICE.

MAKES A RATTLING NOISE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER STARTING AND SPUTTERING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. MY CAR HAS 64K AND DAIGNOSED THE CAR AT 2 DEALERSHIPS CONFIRMED THE ENGINE CHAIN STRETCHED

OIL LEAK PERSISTENT FROM OIL COOLER IN DIESEL BLUETEC ENGINE SPRAYING OIL OUTSIDE GASKET ONTO FUEL LINES, OIL PAN, AND ONTO THE GROUND EMITTING HIGH LEVEL OF SMOKE WITH TARRY BURNT TOXIC NOXIOUS CHARCOAL SMELL FUMIGATING THROUGH THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE WITH VISIBLE BLUE SMOKE WHILE DRIVING MODERATE TO LONG DISTANCES. BLACK TARRY RESIDUE LEAKAGE VISIBLE ON DRIVEWAY AND STREET UNDERNEATH CAR WHEN PARKED OVERNIGHT OR FOR SHORT TIME WITH PAN LEAKED.

OIL LEAK PERSISTENT FROM OIL COOLER IN DIESEL BLUETEC ENGINE SPRAYING OIL OUTSIDE GASKET ONTO FUEL LINES, OIL PAN, AND ONTO THE GROUND EMITTING HIGH LEVEL OF SMOKE WITH TARRY BURNT TOXIC NOXIOUS CHARCOAL SMELL FUMIGATING THROUGH THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE WITH VISIBLE BLUE SMOKE WHILE DRIVING MODERATE TO LONG DISTANCES. BLACK TARRY RESIDUE LEAKAGE VISIBLE ON DRIVEWAY AND STREET UNDERNEATH CAR WHEN PARKED OVERNIGHT OR FOR SHORT TIME WITH PAN LEAKED.