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%)

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

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (10%)

$100 - $499 (15%)

< $100 (70%)

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Chart based on 61 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 4dr SUV

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

35000 mi window switch on driver's side broke off, leaving left rear window in down position. took a paper clip and needle nose pliers to reach in and get contacts together to raise window.... winter time must. the 29th problem in less than 4 yrs. 
72000 mi

US $377
Electric rear gate latch failed. Replaced with new part from Mercedes dealer in LA area. Hooray for ebay!! 
82000 mi

US $1200
AC Compressor failed. Replaced. 
38000 mi 1) Air suspension sensor was faulty, setting off warning light. There was nothing wrong with air suspension system itself.  
89000 mi Keyless entry, Driver's door handle repleced. 
95000 mi

US $400
Battery was replaced. It was the original battery. 
23000 mi satellite radio would not hold signal satellite radio would not hold signal Told problem with reception on certain satellite stations and nothing further could be done. Installed new components after I had MBUSA overrule local rep. Refused to replace the radio with a later model which mechanic said has not had problems. 
88500 mi A/C needed freon recharge. 
91000 mi A/C blower fan noisy. Replaced A/C blower motor. 
106000 mi

US $6500
Replaced compressor, drier, and evaporator. Compressor seized, breaking belt and pulley. 
121000 mi

US $50
Alternator failed Rain-Light sensor failed. May have been related to jump start for failed alternator. 
45000 mi AC stops blowing on humid day and long trip. Car must sit for an hour to make it operate normally. Delaer could not find problem AC stops blowing on humid day and long trip. Car must sit for an hour to make it operate normally. Delaer could not find problem 
67100 mi AC system stops blowing air on long humid trips. System was in for this before it was out of warranty, problem remained. Dealer was never able to diagnose. This time they replaced the blower motor...said it was losing power. The problem still reoccurs. 
64000 mi

US $500
lit sill plate not illuminating sat radio does not work properly on some stations. update: later fixed by sirius changing their channel bandwidth. 
68000 mi

US $250
key fob failure 
30300 mi

US $350
light sensor malfunction 
10000 mi Rear a/c not cooling properly. 
18500 mi Trip took 3 visits due to problems obtaining special order parts. Rear A/C not cooling from roof vents. Part ordered 
129000 mi

US $250
Previously put in non-Mercedes battery but it was weak in cold weather so replaced with genuine Mercedes car battery. 
2000 mi Driver's window needed new motor, regulator and seals. 
3000 mi Homelink garage door transmitter not functioning properly 
42300 mi Driver's window motor slow,replaced Satellite radio not working, replaced sat radio unit Rear hatch not closing properly, adjusted rear hatch again. 
45300 mi Fuel guage stopped working correcting - showing about 1/2 tank less than actual level. Faulty wire found in left side fuel sending unit. Repaired. 
30700 mi Corroded wires to battery. Battery does not charge. 
15000 mi fuel tank locking door broken---dealer replaced switch that locks fuel door to frame 
20000 mi Left rear seat raise/lower motor defective. Replaced with new part. 
44500 mi Liftgate stuck closed and would not unlatch 
52000 mi Tire pressure monitoring system failure. TPMS System still not working after 2 failed attempts by the dealer to resolve. 
41200 mi Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): malfunction finally diagnosed and repaired. 
75700 mi Battery died. 
98000 mi Drivers door lock no longer worked with electric door lock--had to replace 
132000 mi A/C Compressor required replacement 
142200 mi Park distance sensors malfunction 
15000 mi While in shop for problem 1) and 4), battery drained down twice - dead battery - "SOS telaid disconnected" message had appeared in multifunction display, and no crank, no start condition (for 4 tries) had occurred earlier. Rear Signal Acquisition Module 
24000 mi Mercedes open campaign 2008110009 update rear SAM (Signal Acquisition Monitor) software. Prevents drawdown of battery under certain conditions and sequences of using REMOTE key to close hatch and then NOT open/close doors manually. Cars with keyless go. 
35000 mi Parktronic audio (rear) alarm volume too low to hear over ambient, most situations. Dealer discovered original factory sound level was set at 80%, he adjusted to 100% for rear sensors, sound is now slightly louder. Tech found L parking light bulb burned out. Removed/replaced halogen headlight to replace bulb. 
56000 mi Exterior mirror, passenger side would not adjust electrically. Plug had disconnected, dealer reconnected plug. 
103000 mi

US $30
Driver side rear view mirror quit working (second time this happened). electrical plug inside the mirror housing was disconnected. Mechanic was able to reconnect plug without any disassembly. 
113800 mi Driver's side rear view mirror turn indicator lights would occasionally not work and throw a MIL. Dealer diagnosed as requiring a new LED strip and wire harness. $$$$ Took it home, figured out how to take mirror apart, and it now works! 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4dr SUV

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

52000 mi

US $800
Battery (both) needed replacement 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4dr SUV

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

2480 mi Folding Mirror drivers side stopped functioning. 
3100 mi Satellite radio stopped functioning. Shop suspects antennae, but could not fix. 
6820 mi Satellite radio stopped functioning. Dealer replaced electronic part - now works. Rear auto tailgate stopped functioning. 
9300 mi Radio control unit stopped functioning. No SAT, no AM/FM, no bluetooth. 
13020 mi

C $500
No audio on radio or satellite radio - control unit blown 
13640 mi Shop replaced Audio control unit. (Second time this has been replaced since vehicle was new). Found some frayed wiring was the cause of the control unit blowing. 
14880 mi Audio system wiring was replaced. All appears normal now. 
40920 mi

C $600
Replace battery. 
1000 mi Tele-Aid module not working. Self-diagnosed, brought vehicle in, and dealer replaced Tele-Aid unit. Tele-Aid module not working. Self-diagnosed, brought vehicle in, and dealer replaced Tele-Aid unit. 
19000 mi Speaker in the door sounded like it was "blown", 1 day after repair work on same door. Returned to dealer, was told that speaker had short-circuited, but that it was an "unfortunate coincidence" rather than damage from previous door work. Fixed - warranty Speaker in the door sounded like it was "blown", 1 day after repair work on same door. Returned to dealer, was told that speaker had short-circuited, but that it was an "unfortunate coincidence" rather than damage from previous door wo 
23000 mi Keyless Go functions inop on driver's door handle. Door handle replaced under warranty; 2.5 hours. Keyless Go functions inop on driver's door handle. Door handle replaced under warranty; 2.5 hours. 
30000 mi Brought SUV in for tire replacement. Asked dealer to replace left front parking lamp as well. Replacing the bulb did not fix the problem, and after diagnosis, headlamp assembly was removed to access and repair wiring harness. Repaired under warranty, SUV wouldn't start while out running errands. Roadside assistance first jump started SUV, then later replaced battery. Brought SUV to dealer for testing, who found bad alternator cable. Part ordered. Right rear exterior door handle will not function with KeylessGo. All other functions intact. Part ordered. Brought SUV in for tire replacement. Asked dealer to replace left front parking lamp as well. Replacing the bulb did not fix the problem, and after diagnosis, headlamp assembly was removed to access and repair wiring harness. Repaired under warranty, SUV wouldn't start while out running errands. Roadside assistance first jump started SUV, then later replaced battery. Brought SUV to dealer for testing, who found bad alternator cable. Part ordered. Right rear exterior door handle will not function with KeylessGo. All other functions intact. Part ordered. 
31500 mi SUV wouldn't start while out running errands. Roadside assistance first jump started SUV, then later replaced battery. Brought SUV to dealer for testing, who found bad alternator cable. Part ordered. Right rear exterior door handle will not function with KeylessGo. All other functions intact. Part ordered. 
31000 mi Alternator cable replaced under warranty. SUV wouldn't start while out running errands. Roadside assistance first jump started SUV, then later replaced battery. Brought SUV to dealer for testing, who found bad alternator cable. Part replaced. 
50000 mi

US $100
Keyless Go functions not working with Driver's side rear door. Door handle assembly replaced. 
57000 mi

US $1350
Both exterior door handles would not operate with KeylessGo. Replaced. Second time for both handles. 
109200 mi

US $150
AC seemed a little weak, so while it was in the shop I asked them to check it out. Needed a little freon but otherwise fine. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 4dr SUV

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

88200 mi

US $20
Drivers window would not roll down. Dismantled door panel and pulled power to window controller. This reset the window function. Works good now. 
39000 mi

US $800
air bag sensor 
16000 mi Rear liftgate will not close. 
41000 mi TPMS broken when traded. 
25000 mi Replaced faulty control module (third row windows and rear hatch control). Also replaced battery for second time. 
38000 mi

US $300
Speaker jamming window regulator causing noise. Faulty install by previous body shop. 
44000 mi Automatic lock for auto tailgate failed. new lock repaired the problem. 
140000 mi

US $200
Master window switch replaced due to broken button. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz GL Electrical 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.