2008 Mercedes Benz GL320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,491 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 20 complaints (35.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
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 | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Steering: 7; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine: 2; Seats: 2; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 3; 2018: 2; 2020: 1; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10393647 · 2011-03-29 (March 29, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF RECALL 08V682000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE AP…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10434589 · 2011-11-03 (November 3, 2011)
2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART IN QUESTION IS FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES MADE IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PART HAS BEEN REVISED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE UNIT FAILING. EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS FAULTY NEW, IT IS BEING REPLACED OFTEN. MERCEDES HAS GIVEN THE CONSUMER DIFFERENT STORIES ABOUT THE PART AND DENIED THE PART NUMBER HAS ONE OF THE DIGITS CODES SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CHANGES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10434589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462580 · 2012-06-21 (June 21, 2012)
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAK AT THE RACK AND WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO REPLACE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING RACK LEAKING AFTER LESS THAN 65000 MILES. SOUNDS LIKE MANUFACTURING ERROR AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10465738 · 2012-07-15 (July 15, 2012)
I FOUND FLUID UNDER MY VEHICLE ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I AM SENDING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A DEFECT. I CHECKED AND THERE WERE RECALLS BUT MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE WERE ALSO SERVICE BULLETINS WHICH WERE NOT CALLED TO MY ATTENTION MBUSA REP ADMITTED DEFECT ,WAS SYMPATHETIC BUT SAID HE WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT, BUT THAT WAS ALL. DEALER DID GRANT ME A "GOOD WILL" DISCOUNT,BUT MY COST WAS $600.00 FOR A REPAIR THAT HAS BEEN ENDEMIC.MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AFTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,820 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549631 · 2013-10-26 (October 26, 2013)
THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AROUND THE FILTER NEAR THE HEATING ELEMENT. SOUNDS LIKE THE DESCRIPTION OF A RECALL WITH THE 2011 AND 2012 MODELS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10549631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550102 · 2013-10-30 (October 30, 2013)
THIRD ROW SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK IN POSITION, EITHER UP FOR SEATING OR DOWN FOR CARGO. THE LACK OF LOCKING EFFECTED THE MOTOR WHICH RAISES AND LOWERS THE SEAT TO LOCK POSITION. DEALER AND/OR MFG. CLAIMED THE SEAT FRAME IS PRONE TO BENDING. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHEN I NOTED THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THEY OFFERED TO PAY 75% FOR THE PART AND DISCOUNT ON LABOR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 77,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10565953 · 2014-02-26 (February 26, 2014)
DIESEL FUEL LEAKING ON ROADWAY FROM FILTER. SIMILAR TO MODEL YEARS 2010-2012 RECALL. FUEL IS FOUND WHEN PARKED DRIPPING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DIESEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 32,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10565953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10584545 · 2014-04-23 (April 23, 2014)
STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CAR STALLED AND WAS ALMOST REAR- ENDED. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD SOME FLUID, RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES. WHEN RESTARTED WEIRD NOISE WHEN TURNING BUT CLOSE TO DEALER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 74,545 miles reported. Look up ODI 10584545 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2022-05-09 (May 9, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
NHTSA campaign record ↗