2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 7%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 7% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,000 miles. 2 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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10548853, filed 2013-10, 5,300 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“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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10489054, filed 2012-12, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10135970May 16, 2014Delayed 2-3 Upshift
- 10167546Jul 30, 2013FC 2783 (Friction power of torque converter lockup clutch is too high) or FC 0741 (Actuation of torque converter lockup clutch not possible) stored in transmission control unit…
- 10023863Nov 1, 2007Models ml350, ml500, ml63, ml320, ml550, gl450, gl320, gl550, r350, r500, r63, r320 - model year 2008 -- update engine control module software -- check transmission control…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL450
21 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
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