2008 Mercedes Benz Gl550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (6) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Suspension (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2024-04-26 · campaign 24V298000 · 15,604 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
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.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2022-05-09 · campaign 22V315000 · 350,294 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
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.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (61)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Exterior Lighting 2026-03-09 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the la
Showing the 6 most recent of 61 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-28 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 121,667 mi“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 …”
2020-05-11 · Unknown Or Other · 80,000 mi“when you are driving the car it shakes the entire car. it drives normal for a while and then it shakes again. it has not stopped. *tr…”
2020-02-29 · Steering“power steering went out 2014 charged me for it. claimed no recalls. front right headlamp had to be replaced two times. this was the whole headlamp assembly. due to water getting control box wet. claimed it's how the headlamp is made. claimed no warranty or recall on it. 2016 & 2019…”
2018-10-11 · Steering · 74,110 mi“at low speeds like backing up or pulling into driveway the steering becomes very hard to turn.…”
2017-12-05 · Steering · 111,000 mi“vehicle malfunctioned for the 5th time since june 2017 while driving on the surface street. suv completely shut down while driving, loss of steering and dashboard illuminates every warning signal including a beeping sound; gears shut down and suv completely stops was driving. in looking at the history (i'm the 3rd owner), the work performed for the…”
2017-11-25 · Engine · 111,000 mi“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…”
2017-08-14 · Steering · 129,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz gl550. the contact stated that the power steering malfunctioned and made the vehicle difficult to steer. the contact took the vehicle to mercedes-benz of houston greenway where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed. the contact then took the vehicle to a certified mechanic (lang's auto repair shop…”
2017-07-29 · Steering“there is an issue with the power steering rack. there is a recall for this problem but my vin is not included on the recall list.…”
2017-06-08 · Steering:rack And Pinion · 129,000 mi“tl* 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 …”
2015-08-17 · Suspension · 21,000 mi“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 flood lift. the car remained lifted after using th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.