2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 9%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,938miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 9% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,938 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11527119, filed 2023-06“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566242, filed 2014-02“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11461629, filed 2022-04, 115,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #10734596, filed 2015-07, 92,876 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450
21 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSeat 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