FaultScore report
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes Benz GL320 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2022. The largest single group is the steering.
23
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
85,990 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
11%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 74,545 miles
Median failure at 126,500 miles
Median failure at 83,750 miles
Median failure at 32,100 miles
Median failure at 93,281 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 195,000 mi
Median failure at 73,900 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 195,000 mi
Median failure at 96,562 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRIING INSULATION IN HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND REPEATED FAILURE OF HEADLAMPS.INFORMATION SHARED WITH HELLA (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO RESPOND). FAILED PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11318184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRIING INSULATION IN HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND REPEATED FAILURE OF HEADLAMPS.INFORMATION SHARED WITH HELLA (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO RESPOND). FAILED PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11318184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they could only repair the vehicle after a month. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11479622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which stated that the tow was free of charge. The contact stated that he has contacted Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance to arrange for the tow and was redirected to call the Mercedes-Benz recall hotline. The contact stated that he was told to contact several other numbers to arrange for tow the dealer. The contact stated the was unable to arrange the tow to the dealer. The contact was upset that he was given a no-drive recall, and has contacted the manufacturer and the dealer with no results. The contact stated he has not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11475718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which stated that the tow was free of charge. The contact stated that he has contacted Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance to arrange for the tow and was redirected to call the Mercedes-Benz recall hotline. The contact stated that he was told to contact several other numbers to arrange for tow the dealer. The contact stated the was unable to arrange the tow to the dealer. The contact was upset that he was given a no-drive recall, and has contacted the manufacturer and the dealer with no results. The contact stated he has not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11475718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRIING INSULATION IN HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND REPEATED FAILURE OF HEADLAMPS.INFORMATION SHARED WITH HELLA (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO RESPOND). FAILED PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11318184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRIING INSULATION IN HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND REPEATED FAILURE OF HEADLAMPS.INFORMATION SHARED WITH HELLA (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO RESPOND). FAILED PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11318184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE TRAILER HITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V242000 : MB RECALL # 2008-050004 MB TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 2008050004C. MERCEDES BENZ (CHRISTIAN TREIBER VP CUSTOMER SERVICE THRU ERICK [LAST NAME REFUSED] EXECUTIVE REFERRAL MANAGER) HAVE IN WRITING DENIED MY REQUEST TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO REPAIR MY TRAILER HITCH ACCORDING TO THEIR RECALL AND TSB DENYING THAT THERE IS A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11111446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MERSEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND BONITA SPRINGS DEALERSHIP FL REFUSED TO DEAL WITH RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 08V242000 MB CAMPAIGN 2008050004 BECAUSE RECALL WAS NOT LOGGED AGAINST VIN # AND REFUSED TO LOG AGAINST VIN DESPITE SEEING RECALL LETTER WHICH DESCRIBES PROCESS AND SEEING ENTIRE MB SERVICE BULLETIN. TRAILER HITCH HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY MB MECHANIC AND DETERMINED TO BE AFFECTED TRAILER HITCH AND THAT RECALL HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED. THE RECALL WARNS THAT TRAILER HITCH SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING WHICH DESTROYS MY PURPOSE FOR PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE SOME COMPENSATION FOR THIS AND THE RECALL COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #11078793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING) THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA complaint #10789324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE CAR BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 45 MPH ROAD IN A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. TOWED THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN GOT LOOSE AND WILL COST ~$15K TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10787401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I WAS MAKING LEFT HAND TURN, SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO BRING IT TO SAFETY. THIS HAPPENED JUST PRIOR TO US ENTERING THE FREEWAY. IF WE WERE TO ENTER THE FREEWAY AND THIS FAILURE WOULD OCCUR ON THE FREEWAY, WE WOULD END UP IN A CRASH. WE CONTACTED MERCEDES. THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BEVERLY HILLS MERCEDES. WE CONTACTED MERCEDES USA TO INFORM THEM OF THE INCIDENT. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED US BACK AND STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE POWER STEERING FAILED WE SHOULD HAD BEEN ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO SAFETY ( WHICH WE WERE NOT ABLE TO DO). MB REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT GIVE US ANY ASSURANCES THAT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF THE VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE IN CASE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE WILL OR CAN BE ADDRESSED SINCE THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. WE HAVE 4 LITTLE KIDS AND WE FEEL IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS TYPE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THIS STEERING DESIGN DEFECT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MERCEDES GLS ON A ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10677044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT GETTING INTO THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ADAPTIVE HEAD REST RELEASED. THIS IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT WHIPLASH BUT DEPENDING ON THE FORCE IT RELEASED AT (IT'S MECHANICAL NOT AN AIRBAG) IT COULD CAUSE INJURY. THE VEHICLE SMELLED AS IF AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HAD MELTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE FRONT SEAT THAT TRIGGERED THE MALFUNCTION. THE SEAT HAS TO BE REMOVED AND THE HEAD REST HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1980. THE SEAT IS A 10 WAY POWER SEAT BUT IT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MOVE WITHOUT SHORTING THE ELECTRONICS. HAD THIS GONE OFF WHILE UNDERWAY WITH A PASSENGER RESTING THEIR HEAD AGAINST THE SEAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10596661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM FRONT OF CAR - COULD NOT SEE AND PULLED OFF. OIL CAP DEFECTIVE - SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10584547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CAR STALLED AND WAS ALMOST REAR- ENDED. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD SOME FLUID, RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES. WHEN RESTARTED WEIRD NOISE WHEN TURNING BUT CLOSE TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10584545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
COMING HOME FROM WORK STEERING STARTED ACTING FUNNY AND MAKING WEIRD NOISES. PULLED IN GARAGE AND FLUIDS ALL OVER FLOOR. TOOK TO DEALER - HAD TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT FOR THE SECOND TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10584546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
OCT OF 2012 RIGHT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION COMPONENT WENT OUT - HAD TO REPLACE. NOVEMBER 2012 LEFT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT - HAD TO REPLACE THAT.
NHTSA complaint #10584552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM FRONT OF CAR - COULD NOT SEE AND PULLED OFF. OIL CAP DEFECTIVE - SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10584547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DIESEL FUEL LEAKING ON ROADWAY FROM FILTER. SIMILAR TO MODEL YEARS 2010-2012 RECALL. FUEL IS FOUND WHEN PARKED DRIPPING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DIESEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10565953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THIRD ROW SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK IN POSITION, EITHER UP FOR SEATING OR DOWN FOR CARGO. THE LACK OF LOCKING EFFECTED THE MOTOR WHICH RAISES AND LOWERS THE SEAT TO LOCK POSITION. DEALER AND/OR MFG. CLAIMED THE SEAT FRAME IS PRONE TO BENDING. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHEN I NOTED THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THEY OFFERED TO PAY 75% FOR THE PART AND DISCOUNT ON LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10550102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AROUND THE FILTER NEAR THE HEATING ELEMENT. SOUNDS LIKE THE DESCRIPTION OF A RECALL WITH THE 2011 AND 2012 MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10549631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I FOUND FLUID UNDER MY VEHICLE ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I AM SENDING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A DEFECT. I CHECKED AND THERE WERE RECALLS BUT MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE WERE ALSO SERVICE BULLETINS WHICH WERE NOT CALLED TO MY ATTENTION MBUSA REP ADMITTED DEFECT ,WAS SYMPATHETIC BUT SAID HE WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT, BUT THAT WAS ALL. DEALER DID GRANT ME A "GOOD WILL" DISCOUNT,BUT MY COST WAS $600.00 FOR A REPAIR THAT HAS BEEN ENDEMIC.MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AFTER 48 MONTHS , BUT ONLY 25817 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10465738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAK AT THE RACK AND WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO REPLACE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING RACK LEAKING AFTER LESS THAN 65000 MILES. SOUNDS LIKE MANUFACTURING ERROR AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10462580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART IN QUESTION IS FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES MADE IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PART HAS BEEN REVISED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE UNIT FAILING. EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS FAULTY NEW, IT IS BEING REPLACED OFTEN. MERCEDES HAS GIVEN THE CONSUMER DIFFERENT STORIES ABOUT THE PART AND DENIED THE PART NUMBER HAS ONE OF THE DIGITS CODES SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CHANGES.
NHTSA complaint #10434589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF RECALL 08V682000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #10393647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.