Most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 problems
Share of the 20 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz GL320 complaints by model year
Best GL320 years: 2007, 2009. Years to avoid: 2008. Compare all years →
2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
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.
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.
What 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 owners say
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. …
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.
2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | 7-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 GL320 rates use caution: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the GL320 at the same age. It is one of the GL320 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320?
The steering — 7 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (2) and seats (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320, the most recent from April 26, 2024 (vacuum). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz GL320?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008. See the full Mercedes-Benz GL320 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 82,000 miles; 13% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.