RoadVitals

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Aug 16, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Steering735.0%
  • Engine210.0%
  • Fuel system210.0%
  • Interior & seats210.0%
  • Brakes210.0%
  • Suspension15.0%
  • Electrical15.0%
  • Exterior lighting15.0%
  • Other / unspecified15.0%
  • Powertrain (other)15.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING) THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID 10789324 · filed Nov 9, 2015

I WAS MAKING LEFT HAND TURN, SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO BRING IT TO SAFETY. THIS HAPPENED JUST PRIOR TO US ENTERING THE FREEWAY. IF WE WERE TO ENTER THE FREEWAY AND THIS FAILURE WOULD OCCUR ON THE FREEWAY, WE WOULD END UP IN A CRASH. WE CONTACTED MERCEDES. THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BEVERLY HILLS MERCEDES. WE CONTACTED MERCEDES USA TO INFORM THEM OF THE INCIDENT. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED US BACK AND STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE POWER STEERING FAILED WE SHOULD HAD BEEN ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO SAFETY ( WHICH WE WERE NOT ABLE TO DO). MB REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT GIVE US ANY ASSURANCES THAT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF THE VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE IN CASE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE WILL OR CAN BE ADDRESSED SINCE THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. WE HAVE 4 LITTLE KIDS AND WE FEEL IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS TYPE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THIS STEERING DESIGN DEFECT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MERCEDES GLS ON A ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10677044 · filed Jan 21, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 45 MPH ROAD IN A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. TOWED THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN GOT LOOSE AND WILL COST ~$15K TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED ENGINE.

NHTSA ID 10787401 · filed Oct 31, 2015

SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM FRONT OF CAR - COULD NOT SEE AND PULLED OFF. OIL CAP DEFECTIVE - SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10584547 · filed Apr 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DIESEL FUEL LEAKING ON ROADWAY FROM FILTER. SIMILAR TO MODEL YEARS 2010-2012 RECALL. FUEL IS FOUND WHEN PARKED DRIPPING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DIESEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10565953 · filed Feb 26, 2014

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AROUND THE FILTER NEAR THE HEATING ELEMENT. SOUNDS LIKE THE DESCRIPTION OF A RECALL WITH THE 2011 AND 2012 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10549631 · filed Oct 26, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT GETTING INTO THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ADAPTIVE HEAD REST RELEASED. THIS IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT WHIPLASH BUT DEPENDING ON THE FORCE IT RELEASED AT (IT'S MECHANICAL NOT AN AIRBAG) IT COULD CAUSE INJURY. THE VEHICLE SMELLED AS IF AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HAD MELTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE FRONT SEAT THAT TRIGGERED THE MALFUNCTION. THE SEAT HAS TO BE REMOVED AND THE HEAD REST HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1980. THE SEAT IS A 10 WAY POWER SEAT BUT IT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MOVE WITHOUT SHORTING THE ELECTRONICS. HAD THIS GONE OFF WHILE UNDERWAY WITH A PASSENGER RESTING THEIR HEAD AGAINST THE SEAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10596661 · filed Jun 6, 2014

THIRD ROW SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK IN POSITION, EITHER UP FOR SEATING OR DOWN FOR CARGO. THE LACK OF LOCKING EFFECTED THE MOTOR WHICH RAISES AND LOWERS THE SEAT TO LOCK POSITION. DEALER AND/OR MFG. CLAIMED THE SEAT FRAME IS PRONE TO BENDING. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHEN I NOTED THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THEY OFFERED TO PAY 75% FOR THE PART AND DISCOUNT ON LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10550102 · filed Oct 30, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they could only repair the vehicle after a month. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11479622 · filed Aug 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which stated that the tow was free of charge. The contact stated that he has contacted Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance to arrange for the tow and was redirected to call the Mercedes-Benz recall hotline. The contact stated that he was told to contact several other numbers to arrange for tow the dealer. The contact stated the was unable to arrange the tow to the dealer. The contact was upset that he was given a no-drive recall, and has contacted the manufacturer and the dealer with no results. The contact stated he has not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID 11475718 · filed Jul 25, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

OCT OF 2012 RIGHT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION COMPONENT WENT OUT - HAD TO REPLACE. NOVEMBER 2012 LEFT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT - HAD TO REPLACE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10584552 · filed Apr 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WIRIING INSULATION IN HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND REPEATED FAILURE OF HEADLAMPS.INFORMATION SHARED WITH HELLA (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO RESPOND). FAILED PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID 11318184 · filed Mar 16, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WIRIING INSULATION IN HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND REPEATED FAILURE OF HEADLAMPS.INFORMATION SHARED WITH HELLA (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO RESPOND). FAILED PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID 11318184 · filed Mar 16, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART IN QUESTION IS FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES MADE IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PART HAS BEEN REVISED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE UNIT FAILING. EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS FAULTY NEW, IT IS BEING REPLACED OFTEN. MERCEDES HAS GIVEN THE CONSUMER DIFFERENT STORIES ABOUT THE PART AND DENIED THE PART NUMBER HAS ONE OF THE DIGITS CODES SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CHANGES. *JB

NHTSA ID 10434589 · filed Nov 3, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM FRONT OF CAR - COULD NOT SEE AND PULLED OFF. OIL CAP DEFECTIVE - SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10584547 · filed Apr 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .