2008 Mercedes-Benz GL Mercedes-Benz GL 2008

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL repairs by problem area

Engine (29%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)

Brakes and Traction Control (1%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (27%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (10%)

Chart based on 311 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL.

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (11%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (14%)

< $100 (59%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 74 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL

Engine not specified

70000 mi

US $650
Have had severe fuel pump problems that have caused to cease while driving at high speeds; Morristown MB unable to rectify after 4 attempts including replacing fuel pump; Open Road Bridgewater repaired in one day. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4dr SUV

turbocharged 215hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

35000 mi oil leak from deep in engine. required much labor and seals and gaskets as well as pipe sockets 
23000 mi Previously reported as"repaired" engine oil leak continued. Dealer claimed there was no leak! Would urge anyone buying a this model to have an extended warranty and be ready for frustration. 
65000 mi White Smoke Billowing out of car on highway. Resolution was it was a routine active particulate filter burn - with NO notification to the driver - thought my car was burning up or a blown head gasket. 
65300 mi

US $950
Glow Plug Failure and replacement (6) 
97000 mi

US $600
The car was losing power. I thought it was another fuel pump, but it turned out to be some sensor. 
58000 mi Seal on top of the engine also leaking. 
87400 mi

US $14
Oil differential pressure switch replaced. Oil leak repaired, broken oil cap. 
108300 mi

US $135
Glow Plug controller 
109100 mi

US $15
Oil cap. I accidentally got it on crooked, the tech said that it should fit tight enough not to allow that. 
56000 mi

US $2000
Power door locks went out, O rings on engine leaking 
6700 mi Low oil level. Drove to dealer and refilled with no charge. 
15000 mi ABS/Engine warning lights + skidding occurred. Crankshaft sensor faulty and replaced under warranty. 
137000 mi

US $3000
Replace oil cooler and seals. 
75000 mi

US $123
Glow Plug power module failed. Ordered a replacement from RockAuto and installed it. Problem solved. 
76000 mi

US $300
Issue with small auxiliary battery and then actuator in turbo manifold. 
79000 mi

US $800
Turbocharger flap actuator failed. 
94000 mi #3 cylinder injector leak. Replaced injector and fuel hose. 
95000 mi

US $2200
Turbo seals leaking. 
105000 mi

US $307
Fuel line came loose. Was reclamped and new fuel filter installed. 
105300 mi

US $1100
Replaced motor and transmission mounts. 
106000 mi

US $1100
Replaced glow plugs and control module. 
115000 mi

US $2400
Temp sensor at DPF failed. 
170000 mi

US $800
Replaced oil cooler seals as preventative as they began to have a slow leak, replace water pump, belt and tensioner, both idler pulleys while I was in there. 
38000 mi 2) Oil level sensor needed adjustment to prevent false low oil level indications. No parts needed. 
70000 mi Engine stalled at stop light. Barely started. Drove to dealer next day. Determined to be a crank sensor and was replaced at no charge due to extended warranty. 
38000 mi engine was leaking oil around the oil separator seal at the turbo charger port. seal needed replacing. 
40000 mi turbo intake seal leaking, had to order part turbo intake seal replaced and oil spillage over engine was cleaned up now turbo oil separator seal leaking oil down side of engine onto exht. pipe Heat shield and exhaust particulate filter rattling and leaking exhaust. 
38500 mi

US $400
engine oil cooler broke, leaking oil, effect: rising engine heat and yet another mess on the garage floor from the most unreliable and problematic vehicle I have ever ever owned! 
14000 mi Leaky oil tube and diesel fuel line 
11000 mi False check oil warnings displayed, despite correct oil level. Oil level sensor and bracket replaced under warranty. 
23000 mi Oil pan leaking from prior oil sensor repair and oil pan replacement 
24000 mi Oil leak  
30000 mi Check engine light and glow plug light illuminated. Dealer found a loose bolt near the glow plug that was creating a short. 
50700 mi Check engine light came on - replaced exhaust pressure sensor. 
44000 mi Check engine light came on and engine died while driving, with loss of power steering. Car had to be towed to dealer, both fuel pumps needed to be replaced. Seems to have resolved issue. 
67000 mi Car was leaking oil due to failed oil cooler. Oil cooler replaced. Exhaust fumes entering the cabin. Replaced faulty exhaust gasket. 
68800 mi Car leaking oil. Oil cooler replaced again. 
68000 mi Car leaking oil again and check engine light on; car in limp home mode. Oil intercooler replaced again and seals replaced. 
68800 mi Oil/Coolant leaking again 
1000 mi M-B insisted on reflash of ECU whenever vehicle appeared in shop. Need for reflash unknown - M-B wouldn't tell. 
5000 mi Improper "check engine oil level at next fillup" message appears often (3-4 time in 70 mi trip). Oil level always OK. Dealer says sensor defect causes message. No new (redesigned) sensors available. Problem is NOT new - 2007 CDI engines often had same ... 
15000 mi False oil level warning appeared sometimes. Oil never low. 
24000 mi C/S Low oil level warning in I/C again. Oil level not too low. Repeat of problem previously 'repaired'. Oil level sensor replaced with sensor with new part number. Oil pan replaced because original oil pan warped when it was removed - too much sealant.. 
35000 mi MORE new software updates for rear SAM module. Newer software available and installed on top of new software previously installed. All values and coding checked out correct both before and after update. 
52000 mi

US $1671
CEL on >2 wks. Local indy couldn't diagnose. Dealer found servomotor failed. This servo drives an air door inside intake manifold [provides engine braking?]. Servo was reported to have failed because oil dripped onto shaft, parts seized. 
64000 mi bolt holding charge air tube (turbo to cooler) in place failed as a result of being replaced during earlier repair to fix intake manifold air regulating servo. Bolt failure allowed tube to move forward and seal blew out at turbo connection. Bolt which had failed was hardened and broken thread could not be removed from intake manifold. Intake manifold replaced as well as all seals. Broken bolt had been replaced during servomotor repair. Told dealer that used bolts NOT be replac 
76000 mi CEL appeared. 1st trip to dealer found that diff pressure sensor at DPF filter failed high. Sensor replaced. Fault would not clear. New DPF ordered.  2nd trip DPF replaced. Same day CEL reappeared. 3rd trip found temp sensor found unplugged during DPF repair and not plugged back in. 
95000 mi

US $3000
Bad oil leak from center of engine rear. O ring seals to oil cooler had failed - a defect known to Mercedes and the subject of a TSB. Dealer replaced seals with new design. 
100000 mi

US $65
Car stopped without warning while driving. After waiting, car started and ran normally but with MIL set (check engine symbol). Dealer ran diagnostic on fuel system and determined MIL was due to low fuel pressure. Fuel filter was NOT plugged. 
6000 mi Small oil leak caused by uninstalled o-ring at the factory.  
8000 mi another leak in engine caused oil to drip onto timing belt, breaking the belt and shutting the engine down on the Interstate Highway. Vehicle hauled to dealer on flatbed for repair. 
35000 mi cam shaft problem reported by check engine light 
37000 mi unknown sensor causing check engine light to illuminate; sensor replaced 
75700 mi Electrical ignition relay replaced. Truck had to be towed on flatbed to dealer. 
108000 mi Leaky oil pump needing full replacement. Also caused damage to servo motors attached to oil pump and other parts. 
109300 mi

US $500
Honestly I cannot remember the exact repair but it was something either to do with the power steering or ignition system. Cost me another $500. 
15000 mi Oil pan leaked due to incorrect gasket used in dealer prep; replaced gasket Rough downshift (repaired under warranty with factory spec computer download) 
19000 mi Fuel pump faulty. Engine shutting off intermittently. 
30300 mi

US $350
leaking oil 
32000 mi Car loses oil. Recurring problem. Each time I replace lost oil, the oil cap fails and spews oil on engine until warning light comes on.  
80000 mi temp exhaust sensor replaced 
22000 mi Replaced fuel pump. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4dr SUV

382-horsepower 5.5L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

6000 mi Electrical codes #2193 and #0436. Replaced right 02 sensor which controls the right side heater. 
22000 mi Oxygen Sensor causing Check Engine Light to come on. Door Handle loose, needed to be secured.  
25000 mi Faulty Fuel Pump 
40000 mi

US $750
Check engine light and fuel low warning when fuel not low. Dealer replaced hose and carbon filter in fuel system. 
52000 mi

US $800
Camshaft sensor (one of two bad) 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4dr SUV

335-horsepower 4.7L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

23560 mi Camshaft solenoid needed replacement 
23560 mi Camshaft Solenoid Problem recurred on other side of engine (according to Dealer). 
36580 mi

C $2000
Radiator was replaced. Cooling system between power steering and engine coolant failed and fluids passed from one system to the other. Ongoing cross-contamination.. still talking to dealer. 
37820 mi

C $400
Coolant system filler tank ruptured and needed replacement. 
59000 mi

US $750
Camshaft sensors replaced 
19000 mi Recall for some faulty sensors that caused check engine light to come on. 
35000 mi Oil plugs had a slight leak, replaced them. 
50300 mi

US $1700
2 camshaft sensors replaced 
67000 mi

US $2900
Check engine light was on. Camshaft sensors needed to be replaced. 
26000 mi Driver's side pre-catalytic converter O2 sensor short caused "Check Engine" light to illuminate. Replaced by dealer under warranty at no cost. Driver's side pre-catalytic converter O2 sensor short caused "Check Engine" light to illuminate. Replaced by dealer under warranty at no cost. 
55000 mi

US $360
Cam magnets needed replacing, which illuminated the "Check Engine" light. Replaced in 3 hours. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4dr SUV

335-horsepower 4.7L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

66000 mi

US $170
replaced camshaft position sensor 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4-door

turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel automatic AWD

41700 mi 3 fuel injectors failed. 
50000 mi Engine developed ticking noise. Dealer confirmed the noise, replaced all injectors, problem not solved. Dealer then claimed noise is normal. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.