2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class problems
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has 87 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has 87 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 35 complaints, typically surfacing around 84,141 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 GL-Class | 123 | 0 |
| 2008 GL-Class (this page) | 87 | 0 |
| 2009 GL-Class | 29 | 0 |
| 2010 GL-Class | 66 | 0 |
| 2011 GL-Class | 97 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 54,000–111,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 35 owner reports · tends to show around 84,141 mi · ~$700 to fix
- suspension — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 57,117 mi · ~$900 to fix
- brakes — 4 owner reports · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 153,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 84,141 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
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…
This vehicle, and all others Mercedes-benz manufactures with an automatic transmission shift selector of this type need an added safety feature to disallow a shift from the neutral position to reverse or drive unless the brake pedal is depressed. After reaching over from the…
Steering wheel don't work proper way how should be. Steering wheel getting frozen when is vehicle driving.NHTSA campaign id # 08v682000
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 54,000–111,000 mi; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 35 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,141 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 87 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 84,141 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 35 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,141 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 84,141 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 87 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.