2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM FRONT OF CAR - COULD NOT SEE AND PULLED OFF. OIL CAP DEFECTIVE - SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR. *TR
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM FRONT OF CAR - COULD NOT SEE AND PULLED OFF. OIL CAP DEFECTIVE - SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .