RoadVitals

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
15
Latest Apr 10, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
28%
of 54 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 10, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11195526
Incident
Jun 17, 2016
Suspension
Filed Nov 24, 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
AirbagsSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 11, 2018

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
Suspension
Filed Aug 27, 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
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 16, 2016

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
Suspension
Filed Jan 26, 2016

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
AirbagsEngineSuspension
Filed Jul 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE COMPRESSOR OVERHEATING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE, HUBS, AND SUSPENSION WERE CORRODED AND THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING. ALL THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,876. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ

NHTSA ID
10734596
Incident
Jul 4, 2015
Mileage
92,876 mi
Suspension
Filed May 20, 2015

I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY PART. I HAD 31,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FRONT AIRMATIC WENT OUT. NOW THE BACK IS GOING OUT AT 50,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT'S NOT IF IT WILL GO OUT IT'S WHEN. SO I BELIEVE MERCEDES BENZ KNOWS THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND WE ARE PAYING FOR BAD PARTS. I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10717494
Incident
Dec 9, 2014
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Feb 27, 2014

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM AUTO WORLD USA IN BEDFORD, OHIO. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUED WITH THE CAR FROM THE DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO TRY AND GET INSPECTED IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES AND TIRES WERE GOOD TO PASS INSPECTION; HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GET INSPECTED I HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES, BRAKES AND ROTORS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES BENZ TO GET LOOKED AT DUE TO THE BURNING SMELL THAT KEEPS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. I WAS TOLD THE MY OIL SEPARATOR WAS LEAKING' THAT MY AIR SPRINGS ARE LEAKING AND THAT MY REAR AIR SUSPENSIONS WERE BAD. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I WAS OFFERED A WARRANTY THAT I WAS TOLD WOULD COVER THOSE TYPES OF REPAIRS. WELL IT TURNS OUT THE SUSPENSION IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND I CANNOT GET THE OIL SEPARATOR FIXED BECAUSE THERE IS A DEDUCTIBLE (THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF.) I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO AUTO WORLD USA IN OHIO TO GET REPAIRS DONE AND I LIVE IN PITTSBURGH, PA. I WAS TOLD BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD CALL AND THEY WOULD WAIVE THE DEDUCTIBLE. TERRY DOBBINS AT AUTO WORLD, WAS VERY RUDE AND SAID THAT SHE WOULD NOT CALL THE WARRANTY AFTER SHE KEPT EXPRESSING SHE WAS GOING HOME SHE JUST HAPPENED TO ANSWER MY CALL. WHAT TYPE OF COMPANY TREATS A CUSTOMER LIKE THAT? I WAS GIVEN FALSIFIED INFORMATION ON MANY LEVELS AND WAS TREAT LIKE I COMMITTED A CRIME. AUTO WORLD USA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED THEIR SALES PRACTICES ARE FRAUDULENT. THEY HAVE PUT THE LIFE OF ME AND MY CHILDREN IN JEOPARDY BY SELLING ME A CAR THAT HAD SAFETY ISSUES AND IT IS THEIR DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE SAFETY ISSUES BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO A CONSUMER WITH AN "AS-IS" WARRANTY OR NOT. ME AND MY KIDS COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE I WAS SOLD A CAR WITH A SAFETY HAZARD. SOMEBODY ELSE MAY NOT BE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEIR CAR BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10566242
Incident
Dec 16, 2013
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Nov 8, 2013

TODAY I WAS SHOPPING IN A STORE WHILE MY TEENAGE SON WAITED IN THE CAR FOR ME. HE CAME RUNNING IN THE STORE ACCOMPANIED BY A WITNESS THAT WAS IN THE PARKING LOT TO TELL ME THAT SOMETHING ON MY CAR EXPLODED OUTSIDE. THE ADULT WITNESS EXPLAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD AND SO ABRASIVE THAT THEY THOUGHT A BOMB WENT OFF. IT SHOOK THE ENTIRE CAR. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR? IT HAS TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIR SUSPENSION. I'M HAVING IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC TOMORROW. I'VE SPENT LOTS OF MONEY FIXING MANY THINGS ON THIS CAR. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW MUCH THIS ISSUE COSTS ME (SARCASM). I'VE ALREADY REPLACED ONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE AIR SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN THOSE AIRBAGS GO OUT, THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SAFE TO DRIVE. IT STARTS SLIPPING, IT HAS DIFFICULTY STOPPING, IT SHAKES AGGRESSIVELY WHEN DRIVEN, YET WHEN ALL THAT HAPPENED IT DIDN'T TELL ME THAT THE CAR NEEDED SERVICE. IT TELLS ME EVERYTHING ELSE CONSTANTLY LIKE TIRE PRESSURE IS OFF, A REAR LAMP IS OUT, ETC. BUT DOESN'T TELL ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE? MERCEDES IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST CAR ON THE ROAD, AND IT SHOULD BE FOR THE PRICE THEY CHARGE. HOWEVER, MY FAMILY CERTAINLY WAS NOT SAFE TODAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR. IT IS HARD TO TELL HOW LONG WE'VE BEEN IN JEOPARDY AS THIS PART WAS WAITING TO EXPLODE. PRINCESS [XXX] IN A MERCEDES. I HAVE TO WONDER IF HER CAR HAD AIR SUSPENSION THAT WENT BAD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10551468
Incident
Nov 8, 2013
Mileage
100,011 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Oct 22, 2013

WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SERVICE NUMEROUS TIME COMPLAINING SOME WEIRD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND A BUMPY RIDE. LEFT VEHICLE WITH DEALER SERVICE AT LEAST 8 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NEVER FIXED. RIGHT BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN DECEMBER 2012; I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND ASKED THEM TO COMPLETELY INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR ANY PROBLEMS NEEDING REPAIR BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THE DEALER SERVICE FOUND NO ISSUES AND WERE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF BUMPY RIDE; ASKED US TO REPLACE TIRES (WE WERE TOLD THE SAME 3 TIMES PREVIOUSLY AND WE REPLACED TIRES EACH TIME BUT NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM) AND WE REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES THE FOURTH TIME IN 4 YEARS. PICKED UP THE CAR AND NOTICED NO OF THE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED; AND THE WARRANTY EVENTUALLY EXPIRED. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY GAVE MEAN AN ESTIMATE OF AROUND $1800 FOR BAD LEFT-FRONT STRUT. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER WORKSHOP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548853
Incident
Oct 22, 2009
Mileage
5,300 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Oct 6, 2013

LEFT-FRONT STRUT LEAKED CAUSING DAMAGES. WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING FOR 4 YEARS THAT THE LEFT-FRONT OF THE CAR WAS MAKING NOISE;TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10546951
Incident
Sep 23, 2013
Mileage
38,000 mi
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Oct 17, 2012

I OWN MERCEDES GL450 2008 THAT I BOUGHT AS NEW. I SAW THAT THE R/F CORNER OF THE VEHICLE VERY LOW. TURNS OUT THAT THE TRUST AIRBAG IS LEAKING AND BOTH SUSPENSION/TRUST ASSEMBLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE CAN FLIP THE CAR IF YOU RAN INTO POTHOLES ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10480854
Incident
Oct 11, 2012
Mileage
63,315 mi
SuspensionTransmission
Filed Jul 7, 2009
Crash reported2 injuries reported

ON APRIL 30TH 2009 WHILE DRIVING CAR SLIPPED INTO LOW GEAR ON ITS OWN. ON MAY 1ST WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A MAJOR ROAD THE CAR AGAIN SLIPPED INTO LOW GEAR. TEN MINUTES LATER WHILE EASING INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING SPOT THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND INJURED MY WRIST AND MY MOTHER WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT INJURED HER ANKLE. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CAR WAS SENT TO AUTHORIZED MERCEDES AUTO BODY SHOP REPAIRED THEN SENT TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE CAR. ON JULY 7TH WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT RAILROAD TRACKS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS THE MATTER AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE GEAR INDICATOR THE CAR WAS IN LOW GEAR WHICH HAPPENED AGAIN ON ITS OWN. ALSO IN APRIL 2008 THE VEHICLE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED AND MERCEDES REPLACED SUSPENSION SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10276031
Incident
May 1, 2009
Mileage
23,000 mi
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats+3 more
Filed Apr 6, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS, THERE IS NO POWER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WILL RESTART SECONDS LATER. IN ADDITION TO THIS FAILURE, THE SIDEVIEW MIRROR IS MOLDED, THE TIRE LUG NUTS ARE RUSTED, THE POWER SEAT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ARE MALFUNCTIONING, THE ENGINE VALVE COVER IS CRACKED, AND THE COMPRESSORS FOR THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE BACK TO BE REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ID
10264264
Incident
Feb 6, 2009
Mileage
18,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .