U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Mercedes Benz GL: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Tires

Tires: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 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.

2008

2008: 1

Pattern summary

Tires leads the component reports. 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 10216541 · 2008-01-30 (January 30, 2008)

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. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10216541 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

08V006000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

Reported: 2008-01-09 (January 9, 2008)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

08V242000 · Trailer Hitches

Reported: 2008-06-02 (June 2, 2008)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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 ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 1 records

100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Steering	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 10424127 · 1,460 mi MY HUSBAND WAS GOING ON HIS THIRD DEPLOYMENT, HE DID NOT WANT ME TO HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEM, SO WE SPENT ALMOST 70K FOR A BRAND NEW 2011 MERCEDES GL BLUE TECH. HOWEVER, LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND 1460 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING DURING A TURN, IT ALMOST KILLED ME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER (VALLEY MOTOR MERCEDES, HUNT VALLEY , MD )AND THE MERCEDES, THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS HAPPENED, THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CAR. THEY DID NOT CARE THE FACT I WAS SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR EITHER, THEY CHARGE S… Look up ODI 10424127 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10256101 · 200 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ G550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOG SYSTEM WIRING IN THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS COVERED WITH A SQUIZZLE LINE. WHEN HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE SYSTEM, THE WINDSHIELD LOOKS LIKE A DISCO BALL MOVING IN CIRCLES. THE FOG SYSTEM AFFECTS THE LIGHTING AND GLARE OF THE HEADLIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE GLARE OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER; THEREFORE, NOTHING … Look up ODI 10256101 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10444697 · 19,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GL470. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING A SNOW STORM WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE EXTREMELY THIN AND COULD NOT REMOVE THE SNOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS ALSO ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TOO CONTINUOUSLY STOP THE VEHICLE, EXIT AND CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER FOR HER TO HAVE CONTINUED VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS … Look up ODI 10444697 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10429298 · 1,436 mi IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND LESS THAN 1,500 MILES, THE BRAND NEW SUV'S STEERING WHEEL QUIT WORKING DURING THE TURN, THE BELT , THE PULLEY AND THE TENSIONER WERE BROKEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *KB Look up ODI 10429298 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10336564 · 53,000 mi ENGINE ALMOST STALLS WHEN COLD. TOOK TO DEALER, DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. IT IS BETTER BUT STILL NOT RESOLVED. *TR Look up ODI 10336564 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10397848 · 12,760 mi THIS IS A DIESEL-ENGINE 2010 MERCEDES GL350 PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2010 (8 MONTHS AGO). IT IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER IS CITING COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM CORROSION DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS A CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE GOING TO "LIMP MODE" (WHERE THE COMPUTER KEEPS THE CAR AT 20 MILES PER HOUR WITH LOW POWER - A DANGER ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON HILLS). FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY DUE TO THE ONSET OF LIMP-MODE. BUT THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $15,492.03 AND WARRANTY IS BEING DEN… Look up ODI 10397848 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10232929 TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOST POWER. THE CONTACT SWAYED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED. THE V… Look up ODI 10232929 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10508175 · 79,500 mi WHILE DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES TO A HOUR ON CRUISE CONTROL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN Y CRUISE CONTROL SENDS UP A ERROR MESSAGE N CUTS OUT THEN MY TRANSMISSION DROPS FROM 7TH GEAR TO 6TH GEAR AND WOULD GET STUCK AND I CAN'T SHIFT IT AT ALL. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN MY OF THE CAR TURN IT BACK ON JUST SO THE TRANNY WOULD SHIFT NORMAL. ANOTHER 30 MIN OR SO IT DOES IT AGAIN N I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCESS TO RESET MY TRANSMISSION. *TR Look up ODI 10508175 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seats	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10439844 · 68,800 mi I WAS DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WITH SEAT HEATER ON WHEN I FELT BURNING ON LEFT SIDE OF MY LOWER BACK. I FELT THE SEAT AND IT WAS VERY HOT AND MELTING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF, BUT I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT STOP. THE SEAT BEGAN TO COOL, BUT I SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, I LOOKED AND SAW A BURN IN THE SEAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY; THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ACTED VERY SURPRISED AND CONCERNED ABOUT MY SEAT, AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SE… Look up ODI 10439844 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2010: 4 complaints · 2011: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2010	2	3	4
2011	3	3	3

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2010	4	0	0
2011	3	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Tires
Tires	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.