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Mercedes-Benz GL550Model year report

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
95,500miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550. The part named most often is steering, with 7 complaints (58% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 61 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Steering: “The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550. While driving 40 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed at patrick's imports in lawrence, south carolina where it was determined that the rack and pinion was faulty. The contact stated that the power steering pump was replaced three months ago. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10993966, filed 2017-06, 129,000 miles

Electrical system: “Status ' 4th time trying to repair the engine shut down issue 'vehicle malfunctioned during driving four separate occasions with kids in the car ' complete shutdown while driving, loss of steering and dashboard illuminates every warning signal (see picture below) 'mercedes in downtown los angeles fixed the car (see receipt $4,600 in repairs) and SUV continues to stop. Since the 1st incident, the dealership has attempted to fix the issue three times and has been in the shop over 60 days this year. I contacted the ceo's office and a representative has stepped in to assist with the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11048387, filed 2017-11, 111,000 miles

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 550. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle stopped. The brake failure and front passenger air bag warning lights later illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was a brake fluid leak in the air suspension system. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11767440, filed 2026-09, 121,667 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,000 and 121,667 miles.

0%0–1010%10–2520%25–5010%50–7510%75–10050%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2010201520175201820202026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
GL550 4matic 4WD/AWD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic131714$5,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 61 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 61 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GL550

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201582,2003—15—Not enough data
20141033,5003—15—Not enough data
2013662,6863—15—Not enough data
2012861,0003—14—Not enough data
20111569,0003—14—Rising
2009694,6003—14—Not enough data
20081295,5002—14—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz GL550 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 7 complaints (58% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 (GL550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,500 miles and the middle half falls between 32,000 and 121,667 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.