The solenoid of the camshaft adjuster is sealed from the factory by nothing more than a plain sealing ring, and over time that starts to leak.
Applies to the engine M273KE55, M276DE30AL, M278DE46AL.
Repair: from 31 EUR
vinkodex.Mercedes-Benz GL-Class X166 common faults.
2012–2016. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.
M 93 / CC BY-SA 3.0 de
What to watch for
What can go wrong on this car?
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
critical3
On the M272 V6 petrol engines sold between 2004 and 2007 (with engine numbers below 2729..30 468993) the balance shaft gear wears out early.
Applies to the engine M273KE55.
The swirl flaps sit in the intake of both cylinder banks, and a central electric actuator moves them through a linkage.
Applies to the engine OM642LSDE30LA.
expensive5
The check valve is missing from the oil supply of the timing chain tensioner.
Applies to the engine M278DE46AL.
At a cold start a brief, metallic rattle comes from the front of the engine, and it has two causes.
Applies to the engine M276DE30AL.
In the Mercedes 7 speed 722.9 automatic (7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus) the mechatronics unit and the conductor plate (Leiterplatte) age over time: jerking on shifts, delayed engagement, a "Getriebe schützen" message, and fault codes on the gearbox electronics.
Applies to the transmission MB7229.
The Mercedes Airmatic system holds the ride height with air springs and electronically controlled dampers.
It can affect every car in this generation.
At a cold start a rattle comes from the top of the engine, and it is loudest when the car has stood for hours.
Applies to the engine M157DE55AL.
10 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.
Official recall7 recallsShowThe manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.
A12/0069/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateDue to incorrect functioning of the occupancy sensor system on the passenger's side, the airbag may not deploy in the event of an accident.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/00830/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateSevere corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force required to decelerate the vehicle, resulting in a possible increase in stopping distance. Moreover, due to severe corrosion, a particularly strong or severe braking manoeuvre may cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, preventing the vehicle from decelerating through the service brake and thus increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/01236/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel. In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/0286/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe upper suspension arm may not have been correctly screwed to the stub axle, which could affect the steering.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/0457/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateFollowing the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective. This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/1385/18Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety GateThe sealing cap of the Active Curve System's oil reservoir does not prevent oil from leaking out. Oil may leak out and spray onto hot components. As a consequence it may ignite and lead to fire.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
SR/03711/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixing screws fail, the power-assisted steering could detach, resulting in a loss of power steering and an increased risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
X166 · 2012–2016
Pick the version.
The fault list opens on the version page.
4 versions
EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody
3.0 l · 2987 cm³
OM642LSDE30LA · MB7229
GL 350 BlueTec 4Matic
2012–2015 · GL 350 BlueTec 4Matic
258 HPdiesel · automaticSUV3.0 l · 2996 cm³
M276DE30AL · MB7229
GL 400 4Matic
2012–2015 · GL 400 4Matic
333 HPpetrol · automaticSUV4.7 l · 4663 cm³
M278DE46AL · MB7229
GL 500 4Matic
2012–2015 · GL 500 4Matic
435 HPpetrol · automaticSUV5.5 l · 5461 cm³
M157DE55AL · MB7229
GL 63 AMG
2012–2015 · GL 63 AMG
558 HPpetrol · automaticSUV
Neighbouring generations
X166 · 2012–2016
X166 (2012-2016). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Previous generation
X164 · 2006–2012This generation
X166 · 2012–2016
Next generation
This is the latest.
Common questions
About this generation
Which years does this page cover?
2012–2016. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
Does the fault apply to every car like this?
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
Is it free?
The fault list is.
Information, not an expert opinion
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.
- A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
- A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
- You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.