2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11681635

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

Mileage

196,000 mi

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11662193

Incident

May 20, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11601540

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11562262

Incident

Oct 6, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11527119

Incident

Jun 6, 2023

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11480640

Incident

May 9, 2022

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11464931

Incident

May 17, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11462857

Incident

Mar 10, 2022

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11461629

Incident

Apr 11, 2022

Mileage

115,000 mi

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN MY GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE 2 HRS PRIOR. MY HUSBAND ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TONS OF LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, INCLUDING THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED, THOUGH THE AIRBAG HAD NOT DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS OFF BUT STILL SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING. WINDOWS OR NOTHING WOULD WORK. WE RAISED THE HOOD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DISCOVER THE ISSUE. WE COULD SMELL SOMETHING, BUT WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. WE PROCEEDED TO GO INSIDE OUR HOME, BUT LEFT THE GARAGE AND HOOD OPEN SO THE SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAVE THE GARAGE. COUPLE HOURS LATER WE HEARD A HISSING SOUND IN THE GARAGE. MY HUSBAND WENT OUTSIDE AND DISCOVERED THE TRUCK ON FIRE. NOT SURE WHERE IT STARTED, WHEN SAW IT WAS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED OUT. FIRE DEPT SOUND LIKE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY HAD WE NOT HEARD THE SOUND AND HAD THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID

11444483

Incident

Dec 18, 2021

The vehicle has a steering problem resulting from the pin.

NHTSA ID

11434959

Incident

Sep 30, 2021

STEERING WHEEL DON'T WORK PROPER WAY HOW SHOULD BE. STEERING WHEEL GETTING FROZEN WHEN IS VEHICLE DRIVING.NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V682000

NHTSA ID

11287859

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

156,000 mi

POWERING STEERING LOCKS,SUSPENSION AIR STRUTS LOSING AIR CAN HEAR WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11195526

Incident

Jun 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE VEHICLE TWO MONTHS AGO. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN ORDER TO BE COASTED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CALLED FERGUSON SUPERSTORE (1601 N ELM PL, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012, (918) 258-1800) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO CHECK A MERCEDES-BENZ AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONSULT WITH A MERCEDES DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WITH A MERCEDES DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11155953

Incident

Nov 17, 2018

THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HAS FAILED, THE TRUCK IS SITTING LOW THE AIR COMPRESSOR BLEW INTO PIECES FROM WORKING TO HARD. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES AIRMATIC SHOCKS ON MANY DIFFERENT MODEL... PLEASE HELP US ,THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.. I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 45000 MILES ON MY TRUCK.

NHTSA ID

11153532

Incident

Nov 5, 2018

Mileage

45,000 mi

VEHICLE KEEPS LOSING AIR, STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN, CAR LEANING TO RIGHT SIDE, AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEPS COMING ON, THE CAR LOOSES POWER WHEN TURNING. DURING THE NIGHT CAR WILL LOWER IT SELF. ABS WILL COME ONE, SMELL SMOKE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER I HAVE LEAKS IN THE ENGINE, HAD TO REPAIR SUSPENSION, AND DIFFERENT STRUTS AND PARTS WHILE DURING WARRANTY AND AFTER SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I NOTIFIED MBUSA, AND APPARENTLY THIS CAR HAS BEEN HAVING AIRBAGS AND SUSPENSION ISSUES REPAIRED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME REPAIRS. WITHIN A MONTH OF REPAIRING ON THING, THE CAR STARTS TO LEAN TO RIGHT, MAKE NOISE, LEAK FLUIDS FROM WHO KNOWS WHERE.

NHTSA ID

11150789

Incident

Jun 28, 2018

SINCE DEC 2017 THE CAR PRESENTED STEERING PROBLEMS AT SLOW SPEEDS, LOSS OF POWER AND HARD TO TURN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES. I DID FIND IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT A RECEIPT FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER IN WHICH THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS IN LATE 2016. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE CAR BASED ON THE MANY REPORTED INSTANCES ON THIS WEBSITE.

NHTSA ID

11149599

Incident

Dec 20, 2017

Mileage

110,000 mi

ME AND MY WIFE OWN A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-450. IT STARTED GENERATED POWER STEERING PROBLEM ON US SINCE JULY 2017. DURING ANY DRIVING TIME, WHEN WE STEP THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEER BECOMES VERY HARD TO TURN REGARDLESS ITS ON FREEWAY OR LOCAL STREET. THE STEER TAKES TREMENDOUS EFFORT TO CONTROL ON LOWER SPEED AND MAKES IT SPECIALLY HARD TO PARK. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A CHECK UP SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE AND IT MIGHT ENCOUNTER A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. DUE TO THE MECHANIC'S RESEARCH LATER ON, HE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE A HUGE NUMBERS OF RECALL FOR THE SAME POWER STEERING PROBLEMS ON THE SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR OF OUR CAR. WITH THE SUGGESTION OF THE MECHANIC, WE CHECKED THE RECALL INFORMATION ON MERCEDES-BENZ OFFICIAL WEBSITE WITH THE VIN. IT CAME OUT OUR CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THEN ON FEB 6, 2018, I CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL HOT LINE. THE PERSON WHO I SPOKE TO REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION BUT A "NO" ANSWER. THE SAME DAY WHEN I SPOKE TO MERCEDES-BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE GENTLEMAN NAMED "WILL"(IF I REMEMBERED RIGHT) WAS VERY NICE. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WILL WRITE A REPORT OF MY COMPLAINT BUT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GUARANTEE ME ANYTHING. WE ARE WRITING TO YOUR DEPARTMENT TO FIND OUT IF WE STILL HAVE ANY JUSTIFIABLE LEGAL RIGHT WITH OUR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11071636

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

74,000 mi

SUBJECT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODE OR INFLATED INSIDE: ON AUGUST 30TH I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM MERCHEDISBENZ DEALER AFTER SERVICED. I STARTED THE CAR AND I AM ABOUT TO LEAVE DRIVING 5MPH AND I HEARED A BIG LOUD POP I DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE THE PREMISES YET. THE TECHNICIANS EVEN HEARD IT. I INFORM THE TECHNICIAN RIGHT AWAY AND TOOK IT FOR TEST DRIVE AND HE SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE. I TOOK IT HOME, BUT I COULDN'T SLEEP WITH OUT FINDING WHAT THAT NOISE IS? I TOOK IT BACK TO BE CHECKED AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATED INSIDE NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS HERE IF I DIDN'T TAKE IT BACK THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING OR BLOWUP INSIDE UNTIL ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THEREFORE, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED, HOW THE DRIVER WILL FIND OUT? IT DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING ANY WARNING ⚠️ ON THE SCREEN. IT'S DEFINETLY A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11021251

Incident

Aug 30, 2017

8/30/16 REPLACED RIGHT FRONT AIRMATIC STRUT.SUSPENSION KEPT DROPPING. 8/1717 AT TIMES,AFTER CLOSING DOOR,AIR ESCAPES AND SUSPENSION DROPS. DEALER CHECKED CODES AND NOTHING. SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO DROP WHEN DOOR CLOSES. CAN HEAR AIR ESCAPING. NOT EVERY TIME, BUT 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES

NHTSA ID

11019951

Incident

Aug 17, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

I HAVE A 2008 GL450 WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN YOU'LL HEAR A SOUND AND IT IS SO HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO A MERCEDES BENZ MECHANIC AND THEY FLUSHED AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID, THE WHEEL WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THE NOISE IS NOT AS LOUD BUT 2 WEEKS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN AGAIN AND THE NOISE IS LOUD AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

10984807

Incident

Jul 15, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND CLAIMED TO HAVE REMEDIED THE ISSUE. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10983647

Incident

Apr 19, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

VEHICLE GOES ON ONE SIDE, DEALER BLAMES AND REPAIRS STRUTS, SAME ISSUE HAPPEN AFTER 5 MONTHS, AND DEALER BLAMES AIR SUSPENSION BELLOWS. STIFF AND NOISY STEERING MAY ALSO BE RELATED TO TAKATA RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10926429

Incident

Nov 11, 2016

Mileage

111,000 mi

AIRMATIC SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CONTINUE TO FAIL ON THIS VEHICLE. AIRMATIC AIR PUMP WAS FIRST REPLACED DEC 2013 AT 71,000MI. FRONT SUSPENSION AIR SPRINGS FAILED AND SUSPENSION STRUTS HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED, OCT 2014 AT 85,000 MI. REAR SUSPENSION AIR SPRINGS FAILED AND HAVE WERE REPLACED, JULY 2015 AT 101,600MI. AIRMATIC AIR PUMP WAS REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE SUSPENSION VALVE BLOCK WAS REPLACED , NOV 2015 AT 107,300MI. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH DEALERSHIP THEY ONLY WARRANT REPAIR FOR 12 MOS AND INFORMED US THAT MERCEDES DOES NOT HAVE RECALL OR PROVIDE CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO REPLACE THESE ITEMS UNLESS PAID FOR BY CUSTOMERS. FRONT AIR SPRINGS DEFLATED DURING TRIP DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED , SUSPENSION DROPPED DOWN AND HAD TO PULL OVER. HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WITH SUSPENSION DROPPED DOWN ON FRAME STOPS. BECAUSE OF HIGH COST GETTING REPAIR AT MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, REPAIRS WERE MADE BY OTHER SHOPS AS THEY CHARGE HIGHER PRICES FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

10822231

Incident

Nov 5, 2015

Mileage

85,000 mi

POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING AT TOP SEAL AT INPUT SHAFT ON POWER STEERING GEAR. IT LEAKS ONTO BOTTOM OF CHASSIS FRAME AND CONCERNED ABOUT CATCHING FIRE DUE TO EXHAUST PIPE NEARBY. THIS IS NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT AS IT LEAVES PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDERNEATH. POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS ALSO LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED AT 74,000 MI.

NHTSA ID

10822218

Incident

Jan 15, 2016

Mileage

108,000 mi