2008 Mercedes-Benz R350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 35 complaints (34.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 28.6% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Suspension: 12; Steering: 10; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Air Bags: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 5; 2014: 3; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 6; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10492541 · 2013-01-08 (January 8, 2013)
I HAVE AN MERCEDES R350 MODEL YEAR 2008. IT HAS 60,050 MILES NOW BUT I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING RACK - $4000 QUOTED FROM MERCEDES-BENZ VALENCIA IN CALIFORNIA. IT HAS A FLUID LEAK FROM THE STEERING RACK. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN (ID NUMBER 08V682000) FOR CERTAIN 2008 MERCEDES GL, ML AND R-CLASS VEHICLES. I WONDER MERCEDES-BENZ WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEARS FOR MY CAR WITH FREE OF CHARGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10492541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537091 · 2013-08-24 (August 24, 2013)
GROANING SOUND FROM STEERING WHILE TURNING , LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING BOX ASSEMBLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11465851 · 2022-05-23 (May 23, 2022)
I DROVE TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS. HOWEVER; RETURNING I STARTED CAR AND COULD HEAR A SLIGHT SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE CAR RISING SIGN WAS ILLUMINATED AND I WAITED FOR CAR TO RISE. THE CAR FAILED TO RISE AND WAS SITTING SO LOW TO TIRES THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE AND HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. AT HOME I TRIED AGAIN TO SEE IF CAR WOULD RISE AND AGAIN IT FAILED. IN ADDITION TO THE ABS BREAK SIGN BEING ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE MESSAGE ON DASH STATED TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. MY MILEAGE IS AT132,051.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468335 · 2022-06-08 (June 8, 2022)
Every time I braked, car not stop until very close to the car in front of me. Couples time I hit the car in front of me. Sometime I have to slam the brakes very hard, but the car still move forward.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11023728 · 2017-09-15 (September 15, 2017)
ELECTRICAL WIRING AROUND HEADLAMPS IS CRUMBLING AND EXPOSING LARGE LENGTHS OF BARE WIRES, WITH UP TO ABOUT 6" OF COPPER WIRING EXPOSED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I REPLACED A BURNED OUT HALOGEN HEADLAMP IN JUNE, THE OTHER ONE IN AUGUST, AND THE FIRST ONE WENT OUT AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK AGO (AND THIS RATE OF HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT IS MORE OR LESS TYPICAL; I KEEP TWO SPARES IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES, AS BURNOUTS ARE SO FREQUENT). THE BARE WIRES MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE EXTREMELY SHORT BULB LIFE AND COULD ALSO CAUSE ARCING AND POTENTIALLY AN ENGINE FIRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11023728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11328883 · 2020-06-15 (June 15, 2020)
I SEE I HAVE RECALLS FOR THE BACK HATCH DOOR AND SOME SUSPENSION RECALLS ELECTRICAL ALSO AIR RISING SYSTEM FOR A 2008 ARE 350 MERCEDES I CALL THE SYRACUSE NEW YORK DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT UP FOR RECALLS BUT THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT IT WAS UP FOR RECALLS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11328883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10299060 · 2010-01-11 (January 11, 2010)
06 APRIL 2008 ' VEHICLE LEASED FROM HOEHN MOTORS, CARLSBAD, CA ROUGHLY JANUARY 2009 TO PRESENT ' TRANSMISSION SLIPS (CHANGES GEARS UNEXPECTEDLY) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. UNABLE TO REPRODUCE RELIABLY, SO WE DID NOT BRING THE CAR IN OR REPORT. 10 APRIL 2009 ' (MILEAGE 17533) VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER UNDER OPERATION. ESP LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE COASTS TO A STOP. VEHICLE TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF LAGUNA NIGUEL. DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM, BUT FINDS ESP SOFTWARE IS OLD. DEALER UPDATES ESP SOFTWARE. 29 JULY 2009 ' (MILEAGE 22399) LO…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,533 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299060 at NHTSA ↗