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Air bagsPart report

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Air bags Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
11%of 55 total for the year
Median mileage
96,444miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 11% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,444 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551468, filed 2013-11, 100,011 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11150789, filed 2018-11

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11021251, filed 2017-09

“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 complaint #10983647, filed 2017-05, 180,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201325%
20122247%
20113462%
20102150%
2009853%
2008611%
200733%

Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Steering
21 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology