2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2008

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2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (26%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 72 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class repair cost distribution

$2500+ (9%)

$1000 - $2499 (11%)

$500 - $999 (25%)

$100 - $499 (27%)

< $100 (29%)

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

Chart based on 56 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class 4dr SUV

turbocharged 221hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Washington, United States
Sep 2014 - Dec 2014
Sep 2014

127000 mi

US $700
Between 40-50 mph the transmission would hesitate shifting to a higher gear. 
Nov 2014

127000 mi

US $5000
While changing out the glow plugs and relay, a cracked seal around turbo charger was discovered. They also discovered an oil leak. A TSB reported a defective oil seal between crank case and oil cooler was installed by Mercedes. 3 days later $5000 later! 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class 4dr SUV

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

Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Ohio, United States
Dec 2014 - Dec 2015
Dec 2015

135000 mi

US $300
Occasional sputtering under acceleration 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in North Carolina, United States
- Oct 2010
Sep 2009

15000 mi
Rear power hatch not working. Warranty. 
Oct 2010

23000 mi
Replaced Nav System. System kept shutting down. 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2016 - Jan 2017
Jan 2017

131440 mi

C $2500
was in a accident. Many many issues after bodywork was completed. Insucrance after spending $16000+ they decided to write off the car. This car has mamy issues for the last 2 years starting about 160,000 km. 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Michigan, United States
May 2009 - Apr 2016
Nov 2009

8200 mi
Replaced Fuel Filter - Covered by OEM Warantee 
Jan 2010

9200 mi
Replace LF folding power mirrow; replace oil separator; covered by OEM Warantee 
Aug 2010

21500 mi
Active Head Restraint Problem - replaced resistor in driver headrest 
Nov 2011

37000 mi
Oil Cooler Leaking - Replaced unit. 
Jun 2013

60000 mi
Replaced Wheel Bearing Replaced Wheel Bearing 
Nov 2013

65000 mi

US $300
Replace Rubber fuel line from tank to engine - leaking 
Dec 2013

66000 mi
Replaced Rear Airmatic Bags and Load Leveling Sensors 
Sep 2014

77000 mi
Oil Cooler Leak - Replaced O Rings. Replaced Axel. CV Boot Rip cause joint to wear because of lack of lubrication. 
Dec 2014

83000 mi
Passenger heated seat replaced due to electrical fault Oil Leak: upper firewall partition and pipe from air filters to turbo. Found seal leaking. Replaced. 
Jan 2015

69800 mi

US $932
Audio Volume control in steering wheel inoperative Replaced oil level sensor. Transmission oil cooler lines leaking. Replaced both lines Replaced both front struts/shock absorbers due to leaks in struts 
Oct 2015

97000 mi

US $615
Glow Plug number 2 failed. Replaced all 6 glow plugs. 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Virginia, United States
May 2013 - Nov 2014
Aug 2014

88300 mi

US $2300
New struts 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Illinois, United States
Aug 2017 - Jun 2018
Oct 2017

75000 mi

US $350
Replaced rear air springs 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class 4dr SUV

268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Mississippi, United States
Apr 2014 - Jun 2022
Aug 2015

135500 mi

US $335
Rear air suspension bellows on passenger side changed out ( I completed repairs myself) due to leak. Covered under warranty by Arnott. Axle seal / weep. So minimal decided not to repair it. Front left wheel speed sensor failed.Dealer replaced sensor with a used unit due to lack of having new sensor in stock. 
Nov 2015

141000 mi

US $250
Changed out strut coils to improve ride and handling 
Feb 2016

146000 mi

US $57
Replaced both intake camshaft solenoids. Both were old revisions and the drivers side was throwing a DTC. Replaced with the latest and greatest rev. 
Mar 2016

146000 mi

US $450
Power steering pump developed a casing leak. Changed pump out and also installed new reservoir 
Mar 2017

168000 mi

US $535
Replaced all 4 wheel speed sensors. Had one go bad and would not "reset"----so I changed all 4. With that many miles on the R this repair can almost be classified as preventive maint to preclude further incidents. 
Sep 2017

178000 mi

US $400
Found the passenger side front strut leaking oil. Its a Bilstein strut with only 66000 miles on it. Replaced both front struts. 
Nov 2017

181000 mi

US $1200
Replaced steering wheel control panels and headlight switch due to deteriorating condition (sticky gooey to the touch from poor OE materials) Replaced satellite module due to failure. 
Jan 2018

183000 mi

US $200
Replaced A/C pulley/sheave. The sealed bearing was beginning to fail as indicated by the grease it was slinging into the engine compartment. 
Jun 2018

191000 mi

US $500
Replaced all 4 rotors and pads. Had 165000 mi on the brakes(new at 30k mi per CPO).  Evacuated A/C , did leak check,refilled with freon.  Re-coded rear suspension air bag level switches. All is good. What a fine vehicle!!! 
May 2020

210400 mi

US $500
Freon leak at condenser and wobble plate in compressor quit wobbling. Replaced a/c comp, condenser and dryer. Evac'd system and refilled 
Dec 2020

210400 mi

US $250
Replaced a stretched timing chain and timing chain tensioner 
Jun 2021

220000 mi

US $200
ABS code for right front wheel speed sensor. Replaced both front wheel speed sensors. cleared codes. 
Sep 2021

221300 mi

US $200
Ticking sound from tensioner. Replaced tensioner, idlers and belt 
Mar 2022

224000 mi

US $240
ABS wheel speed sensor on drivers side failed. Replaced both rear wheel speed sensors. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class 4dr SUV

268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Mercedes-Benz R-Class in New Jersey, United States
- Mar 2010
Mar 2010

23239 mi
Panorama sunroof repair due to noises and slow opening Transmission software update to improve shifting smoothness 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Illinois, United States
Jun 2016 - Oct 2016
Sep 2016

144000 mi

US $7000
Balance shaft 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Oregon, United States
Apr 2014 - Jun 2022
Sep 2014

88000 mi

US $828
Leaking power steering control head. Replaced 
Feb 2016

99000 mi

US $1876
Weaping FL axle. Replaced axle (recommendation versus just replacing the boot) Driver's side passenger door handle broken. Replaced. 
Jan 2017

108000 mi

US $454
Belt squealing- replaced upper + lower pulleys and belt 
Mar 2017

110000 mi

US $763
Coolant thermostat stuck- replaced.  Right camshaft magnet failing- replaced. Brake fluid flushed. 
May 2017

111227 mi

US $1140
Replace wiper motor and corresponding fuse relay box 
Jun 2017

112000 mi

US $1625
Failing belt tightener. Replaced belt tightener, both guide pulleys and belt Replaced right rear wheel bearing Replace leaking oil separator and cam plugs 
Jan 2022

169000 mi

US $1175
Vehicle would not shift out of park. Replaced intelligent servo module. 
Apr 2022

171000 mi

US $625
Flat battery. Replaced both standard and starter batteries. 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Alabama, United States
May 2013 - Dec 2017
Sep 2013

103000 mi

US $1200
Rear airmatic failed on right side. Replaced both rear airmatics. 
Nov 2014

135000 mi

US $600
vacuum hoses 
Jan 2015

136700 mi

US $700
Replaced coolant thermostat. 
Oct 2015

152000 mi

US $3400
Power steering system leak. Power steering pump failing. 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Netherlands
May 2013 - Jun 2018
Feb 2015

54020 mi

€600
Xeon light unit relpacement 
Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Texas, United States
Jul 2013 - Jan 2015
Oct 2014

41300 mi

US $150
My navigaton system sometimes displays a "can't read nav disk" error and won't work. I took the car to the dealer and they could not duplicate. They suggested replacement at $3000. I chose to deal with the intermittent failure. 
Jan 2015

43000 mi
One of the shocks in the front of the car dropped about 4 inches. There was no change in ride and the car had already been sold so I did not have it looked at. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class 4-door

6-cylinder automatic AWD

Mercedes-Benz R-Class in North Carolina, United States
May 2013 - Mar 2015
Dec 2013

68000 mi

US $300
One air shock failed and was replaced. 
Mar 2015

80000 mi

US $600
Leaking power steering oil. Replaced power steering system 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Mercedes-Benz R-Class in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2015 - Mar 2018
Jun 2015

76260 mi

C $650
Rear shocks were replaced as they were due 
Jun 2016

87420 mi

C $3000
Both front wheel drive axle shafts had to be replaced 
Feb 2018

101680 mi

C $741
The throttle body assembly had to be cleaned and reset The serpentine belt and the entire pulley assembly had to be replaced as it was worn out and making excessive noise and affecting motor operation 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Repair Histories

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 R-Class problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.