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2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 is steering, typically around 74,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical GL450 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
55
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
62
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
15mpg

The worst 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    21
  • Suspension
    15
  • Brakes
    7
  • Engine
    7
  • Airbags
    6
  • Body
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Wheels
    4
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Locks
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450

Power steering loss 5

Recalls 2

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported April 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 24V298000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 22V315000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 62

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 62 bulletins for the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450

2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cyl4WD131815

What 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Body, Electrical · 229,000 miles · CA

Driving on the 99 freeway when out of no where a loud explosion hit my car from behind or on top of my car it scared me so bad, I pulled over to emergency lane but I did not find or know what hit me so I continued home slowly afraid to drive. When I got home I was. checking my car and on top of my car there is a section that has. Electrical or computer components and it had broke lose that is what slammed into my vehicle the electrical cords are still connected or somebody would have been serious hurt Sept 15, 2026 430 in the afternoon

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Steering · 196,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal shaking coming from the engine while attempting to steer the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the power steering reservoir and the power steering lines were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 196,000.

Filed May 20, 2025 · IL

Unknown

Filed Jul 12, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · TN

A flash from the right headlight had occured. I thought it was the bulb, but turns out the ballist was shorted out. I removed the assembly from the vehicle to change the ballist and because I want to also change the lens on the assembly. When I got the old lens off, I found most of the wiring has heat distress, causing the casings to flake off. I have photos of this issue. The headlights are a high energy assembly and this unsafe condition can lead to a vehicle fire if not taken care of immediately.

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Brakes · NY

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that the recall repair could not be performed until the rear brake lines and a transmission diagnostic test was performed. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was unable to have the dealer complete the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jun 15, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · MD · crash · 1 injury

Last Wednesday Morning June 06, 2023 I started vehicle up to move it closer to my apartment. Once I shifted into "Drive", immediately the engine revved up and vehicle accelerated in high rate of speed across the parking lot, I was applying the brakes, but they were not stopping the vehicle, it then slammed into wooded area and crashed head first into creek beyond the wooded area. I was dazed and bleeding from cut beneath my nose, I climbed out of vehicle and back up the incline the vehicle crashed downward into. Baltimore County Police responded and I explained to Officer what had happened. He advised me to contact my Insurance Carrier and wrote the Incident Report #. During the time while awaiting my vehicle's retrieval from the wooded area, I then photographed and video recorded the damages once retrieved. The air bags did not deploy when the vehicle crashed yet the complete front grill and hood of the vehicle was smashed in, front tire blown.

Filed Aug 22, 2022 · Brakes · IL

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for almost two months. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 17, 2022 · Seat belts · GA

The contact owns a 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. The contact stated their vehicle had a warning light that stated the seat belt on the passenger side had failed. The vehicle was included in a recall the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V315000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) could cause additional issues with the vehicle's seat belt. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired for the seat belt. The manufacturer was not made aware. The approximate failure was unknown. The contact also stated that the 3rd row seat will not go down all the way and the issue also pops up on the dashboard.

Filed Apr 30, 2022 · Steering · OK

At slow speed it’s hard to turn. Steering fluid is fine

Filed Apr 21, 2022 · Engine · 115,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and approaching a stop light, an unknown "malfunction" warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to veer to the side of the road but noticed that the steering wheel had lost power steering functionality. The contact then forcefully steered the steering wheel and veered into the right turn lane. The contact turned off the vehicle and turned on her hazard lights. Upon restarting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the power steering functionality had not returned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 08V682000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

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Other model years

200720082009

Questions about the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450

Is the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 reliable?

Owners have filed 55 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450, close to a typical GL450 model year.

What is the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 year score?

The 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz GL450: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450?

Steering, with 21 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles. Next is suspension (15).

How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 have?

2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL450 range from 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, 4WD) gets 13 city and 18 highway.

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