2008 Mercedes Benz GL450: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10241129 · 2008-09-05 (September 5, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A MERCEDES BENZ GL 450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JUNE OF 2008 REGARDING THE COMPRESSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS PROMISED THAT IT WOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS PROMISED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. OTHER RECALLS WERE ALSO FOUND FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241129 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 10276031 · 2009-07-07 (July 7, 2009)
ON APRIL 30TH 2009 WHILE DRIVING CAR SLIPPED INTO LOW GEAR ON ITS OWN. ON MAY 1ST WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A MAJOR ROAD THE CAR AGAIN SLIPPED INTO LOW GEAR. TEN MINUTES LATER WHILE EASING INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING SPOT THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND INJURED MY WRIST AND MY MOTHER WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT INJURED HER ANKLE. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CAR WAS SENT TO AUTHORIZED MERCEDES AUTO BODY SHOP REPAIRED THEN SENT TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276031 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 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 10395487 · 2011-04-11 (April 11, 2011)
THE GLASS ON THE PANORAMIC ROOF IS DEFECTIVE, BROKEN AND THE GLASS AROUND THE HINGES IS BREAKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395487 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 ↗
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 ↗