2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report power steering that loses assist, locks up or becomes very hard to turn, and air suspension parts that leak or fail. Steering loss is often described as sudden, while air suspension problems tend to appear as repeated repairs over several years. Listed mileage runs from about 1,500 to 196,000 miles, and some complaints describe recall repairs that were delayed or declined for the VIN.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering loses assist, locks or stiffens

   • 17 complaints (31%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners describe power steering that suddenly loses assist, locks up, freezes or becomes very hard to turn, sometimes without warning and sometimes at low speeds. Some say the steering wheel would not turn at all, and others say the car became hard to control. Dealers often could not find a fault during inspection, while one complaint says the dealer replaced the power steering unit and the fluids. Listed mileage ranges from about 37,500 to 156,000 miles, and most of these complaints were filed between 2010 and 2018.

   What to check: Ask for records of any power steering pump, unit or rack work, and check whether the steering was inspected under a recall for this VIN. On a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and while parking to check for stiffness, noise or lag in the assist.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #10984807, filed 2017-05, 80,000 miles

   “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 complaint #11149599, filed 2018-11, 110,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Airmatic air suspension leaks, fails or sits low

   • 12 complaints (22%)
   • median 74,157 mi at 8.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe air suspension parts that leak air or fail, leaving a corner or the whole vehicle sitting low, sometimes overnight or after a door is closed. Some describe repeated replacements of air springs, struts, air pumps or valve blocks over several years, and one says the air compressor broke apart. According to complaints, the dealer checked codes and found nothing in some cases, and in one case said repairs were covered for only one year. Listed mileage ranges from about 45,000 to 120,000 miles, and all of these complaints were filed between 2012 and 2018.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the bulletin calling for an air suspension compressor check was performed, and request records of all air spring, strut and pump repairs. Check whether the vehicle sits level at all four corners after it has been parked overnight.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #11153532, filed 2018-11, 45,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10480854, filed 2012-10, 63,315 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Recall repairs delayed or declined for the VIN

   • 23 complaints (42%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2023

   Owners describe recall repairs that were delayed, not completed, or declined because the VIN was said to be outside the campaign. In some cases parts were unavailable, or the dealer said other work such as rear brake lines or a transmission check had to come first. One complaint says other recalls were also found on the vehicle, with the recall number unknown, and another says a dealer said a steering recall did not apply to the VIN. Listed mileage ranges from about 12,000 to 94,000 miles, and the complaints span 2008 to 2023.

   Recall 22V315000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 24V298000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Check whether the brake booster recalls 22V315000 and 24V298000 have been completed on this VIN, since both records are marked do-not-drive. Ask the dealer in writing whether the steering recall named in complaints (08V682000) applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering failure. Dealer resealed rack head assembly and replaced power steering pump. It's unclear to me how a sealed reservoir and related parts are leaking when it was designed by the manufacturer as part not subject to wear-and-tear deterioration. My research revealed NHTSA campaign id number: 08v682000 but dealer said it did not apply to my VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10583979, filed 2014-04, 68,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz GL450. The contact stated that steering fluid was leaking continuously onto the ground. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 08v682000 (steering:hydraulic power assist system); although the contact's VIN was ineligible. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10465794, filed 2012-07, 48,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering fluid leaks from reservoir and lines

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 71,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners describe power steering fluid leaking from the reservoir, lines, seals or steering gear, sometimes leaving puddles under parked cars or dripping continuously. Some say parts were replaced and the problem persisted, and one notes that the leak near the exhaust raised fire concerns. In some cases a dealer resealed or replaced parts, but the owner questioned why sealed parts were still leaking. Listed mileage ranges from about 48,000 to 196,000 miles, and most of these complaints were filed between 2012 and 2016.

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering reservoir, lines and gear were inspected for leaks on this VIN and whether any of those parts were replaced. Check the area under the parking spot and around the reservoir for fluid residue or wet spots.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #10822218, filed 2016-01, 108,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Car moves unexpectedly when started or shifted

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 41,500 mi at 4.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2023

   Owners describe the car moving forward or accelerating on its own when the key was inserted, when the car was shifted into drive or reverse, or when the shifter was touched. In some complaints the brakes did not stop the car, and one says it crashed into several parked vehicles. Some say the car slipped into a low gear on its own, and one says a gear engaged unintentionally while the driver reached across to the ignition. Listed mileage ranges from about 23,000 to 72,000 miles, and most of these complaints were filed between 2009 and 2013.

   Recall 22V315000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 24V298000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Ask whether the dealer has checked the shift interlock and transmission on this VIN. During a pre-purchase test, confirm that the brake must be pressed to leave park and that the car does not creep after starting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10276031, filed 2009-07, 23,000 miles

   “Vehicle was parked in a parking lot. When we inserted the key in ignition; vehicle started to move forward itself. Luckily, there were not any cars in the front and we were able to stop the vehicle with foot brake.”

   NHTSA complaint #10548847, filed 2013-10, 23,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to ask first about power steering and air suspension history, since those are the most common complaints in the sample. Check the brake booster recalls and the steering recall named in complaints for the VIN, and ask for records of any steering or airmatic repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.