The continental 275/55vr19 4x4 contact extra cost tires furnished with my 2008 m-b gl320 cdi have a strong tendency to hydroplane unexpectedly, dangerously and at low speeds in very shallow water (wear grooves in I-5 freeway @ 55 MPH or less). Virtually the same car, (2007 m-b gl320 cdi) with stock michelin latitude 265/60hr18 tires never did hydroplane even in heavy rain @ 70 MPH. This attribute is unsafe, could cause loss of control, accident and injury, and is avoidable by fitting a proper tire.
The worst 2008 Mercedes Benz GL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Tires1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Tires1
Recalls 3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 08V682000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-benz is recalling 52,740 my 2006-2008 gl and ml class vehicles equipped with flex-n-gate trailer hitch. Some of the weld seams connecting the trailer hitch receiver to the attachment bar used to secure the trailer hitch to the body frame do not meet performance specifications.
- Risk
- This may result in the traile rhitch receiver separating from the attachment bar, creating a road hazard which may lead to a vehicle crash. The trailer hitch must not be used for any purpose until it has been repaired.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the trailer hitch. The recall began on june 16, 2008. Owenrs may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 08V242000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with diesel engines, the crankshaft sensor could fail due to separation of bond wires from the lead frame in the sensor. This results in an interruption in the electrical connection in the chip housing of the sensor.
- Risk
- When this happens, the vehicle may lose power rather than enter a limp-home mode. In addition, the vehicle cannot be restarted after failure of the electrical connection in the sensor, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor. The recall began on february 4, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 08V006000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL 7
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Mercedes-benz: the malfunction light is on with multiple possible trouble codes stored
- Mercedes-benz: shock absorber procedure
- Mercedes benz: reprogram mbrace (N123/4) dialed numbers to hughes
- Mercedes: uneven steering forces when steering from lock to lock
- Check engine light on / fault codes FC1200 / FC1208 stored in me-sfi control unit
- Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both directions on...
- Water entry into vehicle interior for all model 164 vehicles.
What 2008 Mercedes Benz GL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL
Other model years
Questions about the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL
Is the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL, fewer than a typical GL model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL?
Tires, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL have?
3 recalls, covering steering, trailer hitches and engine and engine cooling.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 Mercedes Benz GL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history