VehicleVerdict

2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Gl550 years?

Gl550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted16 complaints2008: 16 complaints2009: 7 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 16 complaints2012: 12 complaints2013: 15 complaints2014: 11 complaints2015: 9 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 0 complaints
Gl550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gl550 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering744%
Electrical System319%
Engine213%
Suspension16%
Other16%
Lighting16%
Speed Control16%

Does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V298000BrakesApril 26, 2024 · 15,604 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Consequence

Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

22V315000BrakesMay 9, 2022 · 350,294 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Consequence

Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL550. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE BOTTOM BRACKET. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF BY REPLACING THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING FLUID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 16, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 18, 2017

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 18, 2017

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION WHEN AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP OVER TWO CURBS AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 10, 2010 · crash

“GL550 SUSPENSION DROPS - MALFUNCTIONS EVERY YEAR (SUMMER TIME IN TEXAS) MY GL550-2008 WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD IN AUGUST 2008) WITH 21K MILES. I WAS PARKED IN THE LOCAL LOWE'S PARKING LOT. WHEN I CAME BACK FROM THE STORE, THE CAR BODY WAS SITTING DIRECTLY ON THE TIRES. IN ORDER TO GET HOME, I USED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 22, 2008

2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 — common questions

Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 Gl550 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (7 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl550. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Gl550 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Gl550 years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Gl550 years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.