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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-298 the manufacturer reports only 3% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 3%Owner complaints121 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage111kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 28, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has problems

12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering70
Electrical system20
Engine20
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Suspension10
Air bags10
Vehicle speed control11
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Exterior lighting10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

3%repaired · 2026 Q1

Power assist: vacuum

Do not drive

Recall 24V-298 · Apr 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehicles · 439 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

43%repaired · 2025 Q4

Power assist: vacuum

Do not drive

Recall 22V-315 · May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehicles · 149,456 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other GL550 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GL550 median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What GL550 owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 11315333 · Feb 29, 2020
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…
Complaint 11052636 · Dec 5, 2017 · 111,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11015064 · Aug 14, 2017 · 129,000 miles

Own a 2008 GL550?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.