Recall 18V272 covers 9,725 2012-2017 Mercedes-Benz SUVs with Active Curve System oil leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 9,725 2012-2017 GL350, GL450, and ML350 vehicles with the Active Curve System because low reservoir oil can foam and leak from the cap vent holes. Leaking oil near an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Active Curve System on these 2012-2017 Mercedes-Benz SUVs is part of the front suspension. It uses hydraulic oil to help control body roll, the side-to-side lean you feel when the vehicle turns or changes direction. The oil sits in a reservoir and circulates through the system while the suspension works.
On affected GL350, GL450, GL550, GL63, ML550, ML350, GLS350D, ML400, GLE350, GLE63S, AMG ML63, GLE450, AMG GLE63, GLS450, GLE400, AMG GLS63, and GLS550 vehicles, the ACS oil level was not set to the required specification during production. When the reservoir is below the minimum level, hard driving can make the oil foam. Foamed oil expands and leaks through the vent holes in the reservoir cap, which is why the repair uses a revised cap with an added membrane to help keep hydraulic oil inside.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be visible oil in the engine compartment or an oil odor after driving, but the recall filing does not identify a reliable driver warning before the leak starts.
Who's affected?
The scope reaches across the GL, ML, GLE, and GLS SUV lines, all tied to the same front suspension component.
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350 | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | front suspension |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | front suspension |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL550 | front suspension |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL550 | front suspension |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL550 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL63 | front suspension |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL63 | front suspension |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | front suspension |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | front suspension |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | front suspension |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 | front suspension |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL350 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 | front suspension |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL350 | front suspension |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | front suspension |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 | front suspension |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 | front suspension |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS350D | front suspension |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | front suspension |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | front suspension |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | front suspension |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML400 | front suspension |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE63S | front suspension |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63 | front suspension |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63 | front suspension |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 | front suspension |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 | front suspension |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 | front suspension |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 | front suspension |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 | front suspension |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63 | front suspension |
| Units affected | 9,725 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Leaking oil near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. The risk comes from oil reaching a hot surface or other ignition point, so treat this as a prompt dealer visit once your VIN is confirmed. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2017 Mercedes-Benz GL350, GL450, GL550, GL63, ML550, ML350, GLS350D, ML400, GLE350, GLE63S, AMG ML63, GLE450, AMG GLE63, GLS450, GLE400, AMG GLS63, or GLS550 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free Active Curve System oil-level correction and reservoir-cap replacement that prevents foamed oil from leaking out.
- Reference recall number 18V272 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2018070015 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, or bring your VIN and ask the dealer to confirm coverage before the appointment.
- Avoid postponing the repair; leaking Active Curve System oil near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician checks the Active Curve System reservoir, corrects the oil level as needed, and replaces the reservoir sealing cap so foamed oil cannot leak through the cap vent holes. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. MBUSA has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related Active Curve System reservoir repair before the recall work, bring documentation to the service desk and ask how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 27, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 17, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 30, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 30, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 30, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V272?
Recall 18V272 covers 9,725 2012-2017 Mercedes-Benz GL, ML, GLE, and GLS vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System. Low oil in the ACS reservoir can foam and leak from the reservoir cap vent holes, increasing fire risk near an ignition source. Mercedes-Benz dealers fix it for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2017 Mercedes-Benz GL350, GL450, GL550, GL63, ML550, ML350, GLS350D, ML400, GLE350, GLE63S, AMG ML63, GLE450, AMG GLE63, GLS450, GLE400, AMG GLS63, or GLS550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific SUV is included in recall 18V272. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule correction of the Active Curve System oil level and reservoir sealing cap replacement. Reference recall 18V272 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will correct the ACS reservoir oil level as needed and replace the reservoir sealing cap free of charge at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If oil leaks from the Active Curve System reservoir cap and reaches an ignition source, the risk of a fire increases. Mercedes-Benz corrects the oil level and replaces the sealing cap so oil foam does not leak from the reservoir cap vent holes.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 18V272 when scheduling the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V272000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V272 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V272000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →