2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 37 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 54 complaints (38.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 23 | 42.6% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 20.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 21 |
| Suspension | 14 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
Steering: 21; Suspension: 14; Air Bags: 6; Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2013: 8; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10330803 · 2010-05-17 (May 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS REPLACED AND FLUIDS CHANGED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330814 · 2010-05-17 (May 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS REPLACED AND FLUIDS CHANGED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/04/10
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329792 · 2010-05-10 (May 10, 2010)
PASSENGER DOOR OPENED UP ITSELF; CHILD ALMOST FELL OFF THE CAR; HAPPENS EVERY TIME UNTIL WE SLAM THE DOOR. AUTOMATIC TRUNK OPENED UP ITSELF AND HIT THE GARAGE. HAPPENS EVERY TIME UNTIL WE MANUALLY PUSH TO CLOSE. WHEN A/C IS RUNNING; BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW GETS FOGGY CAUSING 0 VISIBILITY TO THE SIDE MIRRORS. BRAKE PEDAL BROKE. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER MANY TIMES; DEALER FAILED TO REPAIRED AND MANUFACTURER FAILED TO RESPOND TO VARIOUS COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454010 · 2012-04-03 (April 3, 2012)
I CAME OUT OF THE SHOPPING MAUL INTO THE PARKING LOT, ENTERED INTO THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. THEN L PRESSED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND GO FORWARD, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THE CAR KEPT GOING BACKWARDS AND L KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES WITHOUT ANY RESULT. THE CAR SMASHED INTO 4 PARKED VEHICLES AND STILL DID NOT STOP. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT OR SLOW IT DOWN, BUT FINALLY THE CAR STARTED GOING FORWARD AND L PRESSED THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE CAR STILL DID NOT RESPOND AND KEPT GOING FORWARD AND SKI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10454010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489054 · 2012-12-17 (December 17, 2012)
THIS VEHICLE, AND ALL OTHERS MERCEDES-BENZ MANUFACTURES WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR OF THIS TYPE NEED AN ADDED SAFETY FEATURE TO DISALLOW A SHIFT FROM THE NEUTRAL POSITION TO REVERSE OR DRIVE UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. AFTER REACHING OVER FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW TO TURN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION TO SEE WHICH HEADLIGHT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING (AS THE DISPLAY MESSAGE STATED), A SLIGHT APPARENT TOUCH UPWARD AGAINST THE SHIFT SELECTOR (LOCATED ABOVE THE KEY AND BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL) ENGAGED…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527119 · 2023-06-15 (June 15, 2023)
Last Wednesday Morning June 06, 2023 I started vehicle up to move it closer to my apartment. Once I shifted into "Drive", immediately the engine revved up and vehicle accelerated in high rate of speed across the parking lot, I was applying the brakes, but they were not stopping the vehicle, it then slammed into wooded area and crashed head first into creek beyond the wooded area. I was dazed and bleeding from cut beneath my nose, I climbed out of vehicle and back up the incline the vehicle crashed downward into. Baltimore County Police responde…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264264 · 2009-04-06 (April 6, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS, THERE IS NO POWER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WILL RESTART SECONDS LATER. IN ADDITION TO THIS FAILURE, THE SIDEVIEW MIRROR IS MOLDED, THE TIRE LUG NUTS ARE RUSTED, THE POWER SEAT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ARE MALFUNCTIONING, THE ENGINE VALVE COVER IS CRACKED, AND THE COMPRESSORS FOR THE SUSP…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10400873 · 2011-05-14 (May 14, 2011)
2008 MERCEDES GL 450 STEERING SPORADICALLY LOCKS UP AND CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP. WAS NOT OCCURRING WHEN DEALERSHIP EVALUATED AND THEY FAILED TO DIAGNOSE ANY PROBLEM. NO PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3-WEEKS AFTER DEALERSHIP VISIT. STEERING NOW LOCKING UP AGAIN. OCCURS AT SLOW, MEDIUM AND FAST SPEEDS. VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALMOST FEELS AS IF THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. WHEN STEERING LOCKS UP THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS WITH EXTREME FORCE AND JUMPS FROM ONE…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10400873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444483 · 2021-12-20 (December 20, 2021)
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN MY GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE 2 HRS PRIOR. MY HUSBAND ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TONS OF LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, INCLUDING THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED, THOUGH THE AIRBAG HAD NOT DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS OFF BUT STILL SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING. WINDOWS OR NOTHING WOULD WORK. WE RAISED THE HOOD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DISCOVER THE ISSUE. WE COULD SMELL SOMETHING, BUT WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. WE PROCEEDED TO GO INSIDE OUR HOME, BUT LEFT THE GARAGE AND HOOD OPEN SO THE SMELL FROM THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11601540 · 2024-07-12 (July 12, 2024)
A flash from the right headlight had occured. I thought it was the bulb, but turns out the ballist was shorted out. I removed the assembly from the vehicle to change the ballist and because I want to also change the lens on the assembly. When I got the old lens off, I found most of the wiring has heat distress, causing the casings to flake off. I have photos of this issue. The headlights are a high energy assembly and this unsafe condition can lead to a vehicle fire if not taken care of immediately.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11601540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820619 · 2016-01-16 (January 16, 2016)
I NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL AFTER A FULL TANK OF GAS WITH MY MERCEDES BENZ GL450 AFTER I RECEIVED IT BACK FROM THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT TO FIX THE BROKEN FUEL GAUGE. THE STRONG GAS ODOR WAS NON-EXISTENT BEFORE THE REPAIR. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A RESIDUAL SMELL DUE TO THE REPAIR BUT AFTER A WEEK WHEN I FILLED AGAIN, THE GAS SMELL WAS STILL THERE. THE SMELL IS SO BAD ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING WHEN I GET INSIDE THE GARAGE. THE SMELL IS EVIDENT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CLOSE TO THE GAS TA…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,948 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820619 at NHTSA ↗