2008 Mercedes Benz M CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
46,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
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 | 1 |
Steering: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
2012: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior 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 10458718 · 2012-05-16 (May 16, 2012)
THE POWER STEERING RACK DEVELOPED A LEAK CAUSING THE OIL PRESSURE TO THE UNIT TO FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THIS VEHICLE DOSE NOT HAVE A WARNING SYSTEM TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. A PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED JANUARY 2009 (SAFETY RECALL #2008-120011) FOR 2008 ML 320'S FOR A DEFECT SUCH AS THIS. HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. WE FEEL THIS PART SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458718 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.
08V303000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2008-07-07 (July 7, 2008)
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V682000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
Reported: 2008-12-19 (December 19, 2008)
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 577 MY 2008 GL-CLASS, M-CLASS, AND R-CLASS VEHICLES. A DEFECT MAY EXIST IN THE DRIVING PIN USED TO CONTROL THE OIL PRESSURE OF THE POWER STEERING.
Consequence: IF A DEFECTIVE DRIVING PIN EXISTS IN A VEHICLE AND THE PIN BREAKS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE TURNING, THE NORMALLY AVAILABLE HYDRAULIC SUPPORT FUNCTION WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION AND STEERING WHEEL OPERATION WILL BE LIMITED.
Remedy: MERCEDES-BENZ WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEARS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗