2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Complaint Log

SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM FRONT OF CAR - COULD NOT SEE AND PULLED OFF. OIL CAP DEFECTIVE - SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR. *TR

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM AUTO WORLD USA IN BEDFORD, OHIO. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUED WITH THE CAR FROM THE DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO TRY AND GET INSPECTED IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES AND TIRES WERE GOOD TO PASS INSPECTION; HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GET INSPECTED I HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES, BRAKES AND ROTORS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES BENZ TO GET LOOKED AT DUE TO THE BURNING SMELL THAT KEEPS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. I WAS TOLD THE MY OIL SEPARATOR WAS LEAKING' THAT MY AIR SPRINGS ARE LEAKING AND THAT MY REAR AIR SUSPENSIONS WERE BAD. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I WAS OFFERED A WARRANTY THAT I WAS TOLD WOULD COVER THOSE TYPES OF REPAIRS. WELL IT TURNS OUT THE SUSPENSION IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND I CANNOT GET THE OIL SEPARATOR FIXED BECAUSE THERE IS A DEDUCTIBLE (THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF.) I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO AUTO WORLD USA IN OHIO TO GET REPAIRS DONE AND I LIVE IN PITTSBURGH, PA. I WAS TOLD BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD CALL AND THEY WOULD WAIVE THE DEDUCTIBLE. TERRY DOBBINS AT AUTO WORLD, WAS VERY RUDE AND SAID THAT SHE WOULD NOT CALL THE WARRANTY AFTER SHE KEPT EXPRESSING SHE WAS GOING HOME SHE JUST HAPPENED TO ANSWER MY CALL. WHAT TYPE OF COMPANY TREATS A CUSTOMER LIKE THAT? I WAS GIVEN FALSIFIED INFORMATION ON MANY LEVELS AND WAS TREAT LIKE I COMMITTED A CRIME. AUTO WORLD USA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED THEIR SALES PRACTICES ARE FRAUDULENT. THEY HAVE PUT THE LIFE OF ME AND MY CHILDREN IN JEOPARDY BY SELLING ME A CAR THAT HAD SAFETY ISSUES AND IT IS THEIR DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE SAFETY ISSUES BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO A CONSUMER WITH AN "AS-IS" WARRANTY OR NOT. ME AND MY KIDS COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE I WAS SOLD A CAR WITH A SAFETY HAZARD. SOMEBODY ELSE MAY NOT BE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEIR CAR BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. *TR

TODAY I WAS SHOPPING IN A STORE WHILE MY TEENAGE SON WAITED IN THE CAR FOR ME. HE CAME RUNNING IN THE STORE ACCOMPANIED BY A WITNESS THAT WAS IN THE PARKING LOT TO TELL ME THAT SOMETHING ON MY CAR EXPLODED OUTSIDE. THE ADULT WITNESS EXPLAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD AND SO ABRASIVE THAT THEY THOUGHT A BOMB WENT OFF. IT SHOOK THE ENTIRE CAR. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR? IT HAS TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIR SUSPENSION. I'M HAVING IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC TOMORROW. I'VE SPENT LOTS OF MONEY FIXING MANY THINGS ON THIS CAR. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW MUCH THIS ISSUE COSTS ME (SARCASM). I'VE ALREADY REPLACED ONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE AIR SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN THOSE AIRBAGS GO OUT, THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SAFE TO DRIVE. IT STARTS SLIPPING, IT HAS DIFFICULTY STOPPING, IT SHAKES AGGRESSIVELY WHEN DRIVEN, YET WHEN ALL THAT HAPPENED IT DIDN'T TELL ME THAT THE CAR NEEDED SERVICE. IT TELLS ME EVERYTHING ELSE CONSTANTLY LIKE TIRE PRESSURE IS OFF, A REAR LAMP IS OUT, ETC. BUT DOESN'T TELL ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE? MERCEDES IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST CAR ON THE ROAD, AND IT SHOULD BE FOR THE PRICE THEY CHARGE. HOWEVER, MY FAMILY CERTAINLY WAS NOT SAFE TODAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR. IT IS HARD TO TELL HOW LONG WE'VE BEEN IN JEOPARDY AS THIS PART WAS WAITING TO EXPLODE. PRINCESS [XXX] IN A MERCEDES. I HAVE TO WONDER IF HER CAR HAD AIR SUSPENSION THAT WENT BAD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. DEALER RESEALED RACK HEAD ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP. IT'S UNCLEAR TO ME HOW A SEALED RESERVOIR AND RELATED PARTS ARE LEAKING WHEN IT WAS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS PART NOT SUBJECT TO WEAR-AND-TEAR DETERIORATION. MY RESEARCH REVEALED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V682000 BUT DEALER SAID IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN. *TR

THIRD ROW SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK IN POSITION, EITHER UP FOR SEATING OR DOWN FOR CARGO. THE LACK OF LOCKING EFFECTED THE MOTOR WHICH RAISES AND LOWERS THE SEAT TO LOCK POSITION. DEALER AND/OR MFG. CLAIMED THE SEAT FRAME IS PRONE TO BENDING. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHEN I NOTED THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THEY OFFERED TO PAY 75% FOR THE PART AND DISCOUNT ON LABOR. *TR

LEFT-FRONT STRUT LEAKED CAUSING DAMAGES. WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING FOR 4 YEARS THAT THE LEFT-FRONT OF THE CAR WAS MAKING NOISE;TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AROUND THE FILTER NEAR THE HEATING ELEMENT. SOUNDS LIKE THE DESCRIPTION OF A RECALL WITH THE 2011 AND 2012 MODELS. *TR

COMING HOME FROM WORK STEERING STARTED ACTING FUNNY AND MAKING WEIRD NOISES. PULLED IN GARAGE AND FLUIDS ALL OVER FLOOR. TOOK TO DEALER - HAD TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT FOR THE SECOND TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

THIS VEHICLE, AND ALL OTHERS MERCEDES-BENZ MANUFACTURES WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR OF THIS TYPE NEED AN ADDED SAFETY FEATURE TO DISALLOW A SHIFT FROM THE NEUTRAL POSITION TO REVERSE OR DRIVE UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. AFTER REACHING OVER FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW TO TURN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION TO SEE WHICH HEADLIGHT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING (AS THE DISPLAY MESSAGE STATED), A SLIGHT APPARENT TOUCH UPWARD AGAINST THE SHIFT SELECTOR (LOCATED ABOVE THE KEY AND BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL) ENGAGED THE VEHICLE IN THE REVERSE POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH FOR 15 FEET AND COME TO A CRASHING STOP AGAINST AN ANCHORED METAL POST AND FORTUNATELY NOT INTO ANY OTHER VEHICLES, ONCOMING TRAFFIC, STRUCTURES, AND/OR ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. I SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY TO MY LEFT FOREARM AS I UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO REACH BACK OVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REVERSE MOTION TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE OFF POSITION. *TR

STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CAR STALLED AND WAS ALMOST REAR- ENDED. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD SOME FLUID, RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES. WHEN RESTARTED WEIRD NOISE WHEN TURNING BUT CLOSE TO DEALER. *TR

OCT OF 2012 RIGHT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION COMPONENT WENT OUT - HAD TO REPLACE. NOVEMBER 2012 LEFT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT - HAD TO REPLACE THAT. *TR

PURCHASED 2008 CPO GL-450. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTAL/CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS WHICH DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH THE MARKETING SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CURRENT REPAIRS: CRACK IN REAR BUMPER 10/22/12, FAULTY REAR HATCH 11/01/12, FAULTY DOOR 2/4/13, ENGINE PISTON LEAK 3/5-19/13, , SYSTEM STEREO/NAVIGATION FAILURE 5/13, FUEL SMELLS 7/6/13, STEERING WHEEL REPLACEMENT 3/14, GARNISH MOLDING REPLACEMENT, AIR PRESSURE SHOCKS MALFUNCTION 3/14, AND SEAT BELT FAILURE 6/14. AND I AM TO BELIEVE MY VEHICLE PASSED A CPO INSPECTION WITH ALL THESE NOTICEABLE FAILURES. AS A CONSUMER, I WAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE EXTRA COSTS FOR QUALITY AND REASSURANCE; INSTEAD I EXPERIENCED A DEFECT IN ??TRUTH-IN-ADVERTISEMENT. I HAVE 4 MONTHS LEFT ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY(YOU CAN ONLY PURCHASE MERCEDES BENZ WARRANTY IF YOU BUY A CPO MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLE ;WHICH ARE EXTRA ADDED FEES TO THE COST/PRICE OF THE VEHICLE.), IF NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED, I BELIEVE THIS TYPE OF EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE OF AUTO SALES/PERFORMANCE AND BUSINESS PRACTICE WILL GROW AND TRANSFER SEVERE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON ANY/ AND ALL CONSUMERS. *TR

I OWN MERCEDES GL450 2008 THAT I BOUGHT AS NEW. I SAW THAT THE R/F CORNER OF THE VEHICLE VERY LOW. TURNS OUT THAT THE TRUST AIRBAG IS LEAKING AND BOTH SUSPENSION/TRUST ASSEMBLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE CAN FLIP THE CAR IF YOU RAN INTO POTHOLES ON THE ROAD. *TR

I FOUND FLUID UNDER MY VEHICLE ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I AM SENDING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A DEFECT. I CHECKED AND THERE WERE RECALLS BUT MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE WERE ALSO SERVICE BULLETINS WHICH WERE NOT CALLED TO MY ATTENTION MBUSA REP ADMITTED DEFECT ,WAS SYMPATHETIC BUT SAID HE WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT, BUT THAT WAS ALL. DEALER DID GRANT ME A "GOOD WILL" DISCOUNT,BUT MY COST WAS $600.00 FOR A REPAIR THAT HAS BEEN ENDEMIC.MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AFTER 48 MONTHS , BUT ONLY 25817 MILES. *TR

I CAME OUT OF THE SHOPPING MAUL INTO THE PARKING LOT, ENTERED INTO THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. THEN L PRESSED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND GO FORWARD, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THE CAR KEPT GOING BACKWARDS AND L KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES WITHOUT ANY RESULT. THE CAR SMASHED INTO 4 PARKED VEHICLES AND STILL DID NOT STOP. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT OR SLOW IT DOWN, BUT FINALLY THE CAR STARTED GOING FORWARD AND L PRESSED THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE CAR STILL DID NOT RESPOND AND KEPT GOING FORWARD AND SKIDDING AND EVENTUALLY SMASHED INTO A TREE AND STOPPED. L HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES, BUT THEY ARE YET ACT. THE CAR POWER STEERING WENT OUT 3 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND WAS JUST REPLACED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL AND RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. I HAVE INCURRED OVER 35,000 DOLLAR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES AND NEED MERCEDES BENZ TO STEP UP AND FIGURE OUT WHY THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING DESPITE MY APPLYING THE BRAKES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING CONTINUOUSLY ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V682000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM); ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INELIGIBLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART IN QUESTION IS FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES MADE IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PART HAS BEEN REVISED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE UNIT FAILING. EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS FAULTY NEW, IT IS BEING REPLACED OFTEN. MERCEDES HAS GIVEN THE CONSUMER DIFFERENT STORIES ABOUT THE PART AND DENIED THE PART NUMBER HAS ONE OF THE DIGITS CODES SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CHANGES. *JB

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAK AT THE RACK AND WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO REPLACE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING RACK LEAKING AFTER LESS THAN 65000 MILES. SOUNDS LIKE MANUFACTURING ERROR AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TT

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHEN WE SUDDENLY NOTICED NO VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD. INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THAT WE TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS BY MISTAKE BUT IT WAS ON. FOLLOWED ANOTHER VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY; PULLED AT A GAS STATION AND NOTICED BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE POINTING DOWNWARD. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE NUMEROUS TIME; IT TOOK THEM OVER A YEAR TO FIX THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN WE INSERTED THE KEY IN IGNITION; VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD ITSELF. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NOT ANY CARS IN THE FRONT AND WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH FOOT BRAKE. *TR

CAR C 300. DID NOT SEE THAT OPTION. ALSO TIRES ORIGINAL MICHELIN UNKNOWN INFO. MULTIPLE INTERIOR TRIM AND SEAT REPAIRS. PROBLEM WITH POWER FOLDING MIRRORS GETTING STUCK OR CREAKING. MULTIPLE VISITS FOR REPAIR OF TIRE LIGHT ISSUES. WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD IT WOULD COME ON DURING HOT/COLD DAYS. UPON REVIEW AFTER MULTIPLE ISSUES, TIRES X 2 REPLACED BEFORE 15K MILES. CONTINUES PROBLEMS. COUNTLESS REVIEW BY 3 DEALERSHIPS. WAS TOLD DUE TO COSMETIC ISSUES ON RIMS. B3 MAINTENANCE DONE @ $500. TOLD AGAIN TO CK TIRES DUE TO LIGHT. HAD ANOTHER SET OF TIRES PLACED AROUND 40K IN. MAY 2010. FOR B3 TOLD LT BACK TIRE NEEDED REPLACING. WENT BACK TO TIRE SHOP WHO SAID BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND RIMS. WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES RIMS NOT NECESSARY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS TIRE LIGHT BACK ON AND LEFT BACK LOSING AIR RAPIDLY. MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALLED. FOUND LG CRACK BACK L WHEEL. SPARE PLACED. ANOTHER INDEPENDENT CAR CARE REVIEWED ALL WHEELS. FOUND ANOTHER CRACKED WHEEL BACK RIGHT AND TWO LOW SPOTS FRONT. TOOK BACK TO MERCEDES ALEX RODRIGUEZ, WHO STATED FRONT WERE FINE BY VISUAL ONLY, AND BACK RIGHT NEEDED COSMETIC OUTER WHICH THEY COVERED. GAVE CAR BACK AFTER HAVING 8 DAYS FOR COSMETIC WORK. UNABLE TO TELL ME IF DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED. NOTHING IN PAPERWORK. WOULD NOT LET ME WAIT UNTIL INFORMATION WAS VERIFIED. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES ON HWY AND CAR BEGAN TO RATTLE. HAD BOYFRIEND LOOK @ CAR. FOUND WHEEL COVER WASN'T THERE; ALSO TWO AIR COVERS MISSING AND TWO LOOSELY FASTENED. CALLED DEALER TO COME PICK UP VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER REVIEW. *TR

2008 MERCEDES GL 450 STEERING SPORADICALLY LOCKS UP AND CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP. WAS NOT OCCURRING WHEN DEALERSHIP EVALUATED AND THEY FAILED TO DIAGNOSE ANY PROBLEM. NO PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3-WEEKS AFTER DEALERSHIP VISIT. STEERING NOW LOCKING UP AGAIN. OCCURS AT SLOW, MEDIUM AND FAST SPEEDS. VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALMOST FEELS AS IF THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. WHEN STEERING LOCKS UP THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS WITH EXTREME FORCE AND JUMPS FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER. *TR

THE GLASS ON THE PANORAMIC ROOF IS DEFECTIVE, BROKEN AND THE GLASS AROUND THE HINGES IS BREAKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF RECALL 08V682000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION WHEN AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP OVER TWO CURBS AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN CRASHED INTO TWO UNOCCUPIED VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGES AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR EXTERIOR BODY REPAIR AND DIAGNOSIS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 05/05/11

WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE CAR WAS MAKING WEIRD NOISE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE RIDE WAS VERY BUMPY BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. ONE DAY I TOOK IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE FOR TIRE BALANCE/ROTATION AND THE GENERAL MANAGER POINTED OUT THAT THE FROM WHEEL WAS CRACKED BADLY FROM INSIDE ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT EDGE. HE MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WE TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SERVICE AGAIN AND MENTIONED EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE TOLD BY THE GM OF DISCOUNT TIRE. INITIALLY MERCEDES DEALER SERVICE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WHEEL THINKING THAT WE MIGHT HAVE HIT THE WHEELS. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE SCRATCH ON ANY FOUR OF THE WHEELS PROVING IT WAS A BAD WHEEL AND DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS REPLACED AND FLUIDS CHANGED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/04/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS REPLACED AND FLUIDS CHANGED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

PASSENGER DOOR OPENED UP ITSELF; CHILD ALMOST FELL OFF THE CAR; HAPPENS EVERY TIME UNTIL WE SLAM THE DOOR. AUTOMATIC TRUNK OPENED UP ITSELF AND HIT THE GARAGE. HAPPENS EVERY TIME UNTIL WE MANUALLY PUSH TO CLOSE. WHEN A/C IS RUNNING; BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW GETS FOGGY CAUSING 0 VISIBILITY TO THE SIDE MIRRORS. BRAKE PEDAL BROKE. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER MANY TIMES; DEALER FAILED TO REPAIRED AND MANUFACTURER FAILED TO RESPOND TO VARIOUS COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THEM. *TR

WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SERVICE NUMEROUS TIME COMPLAINING SOME WEIRD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND A BUMPY RIDE. LEFT VEHICLE WITH DEALER SERVICE AT LEAST 8 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NEVER FIXED. RIGHT BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN DECEMBER 2012; I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND ASKED THEM TO COMPLETELY INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR ANY PROBLEMS NEEDING REPAIR BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THE DEALER SERVICE FOUND NO ISSUES AND WERE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF BUMPY RIDE; ASKED US TO REPLACE TIRES (WE WERE TOLD THE SAME 3 TIMES PREVIOUSLY AND WE REPLACED TIRES EACH TIME BUT NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM) AND WE REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES THE FOURTH TIME IN 4 YEARS. PICKED UP THE CAR AND NOTICED NO OF THE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED; AND THE WARRANTY EVENTUALLY EXPIRED. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY GAVE MEAN AN ESTIMATE OF AROUND $1800 FOR BAD LEFT-FRONT STRUT. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER WORKSHOP. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MPH WITH A CHILD IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT; THE DOOR SUDDENLY OPENED UP BUT DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE FOR REPAIR AND THEY ADJUSTED THE DOOR LATCH. DAYS LATER, THE SAME HAPPENED AND THE DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE AGAIN FOR REPAIR AND THEY ADJUSTED THE DOOR LATCH. *TR

ON APRIL 30TH 2009 WHILE DRIVING CAR SLIPPED INTO LOW GEAR ON ITS OWN. ON MAY 1ST WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A MAJOR ROAD THE CAR AGAIN SLIPPED INTO LOW GEAR. TEN MINUTES LATER WHILE EASING INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING SPOT THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND INJURED MY WRIST AND MY MOTHER WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT INJURED HER ANKLE. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CAR WAS SENT TO AUTHORIZED MERCEDES AUTO BODY SHOP REPAIRED THEN SENT TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE CAR. ON JULY 7TH WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT RAILROAD TRACKS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS THE MATTER AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE GEAR INDICATOR THE CAR WAS IN LOW GEAR WHICH HAPPENED AGAIN ON ITS OWN. ALSO IN APRIL 2008 THE VEHICLE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED AND MERCEDES REPLACED SUSPENSION SYSTEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS, THERE IS NO POWER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WILL RESTART SECONDS LATER. IN ADDITION TO THIS FAILURE, THE SIDEVIEW MIRROR IS MOLDED, THE TIRE LUG NUTS ARE RUSTED, THE POWER SEAT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ARE MALFUNCTIONING, THE ENGINE VALVE COVER IS CRACKED, AND THE COMPRESSORS FOR THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE BACK TO BE REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A MERCEDES BENZ GL 450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JUNE OF 2008 REGARDING THE COMPRESSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS PROMISED THAT IT WOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS PROMISED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. OTHER RECALLS WERE ALSO FOUND FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

GL550 SUSPENSION DROPS - MALFUNCTIONS EVERY YEAR (SUMMER TIME IN TEXAS) MY GL550-2008 WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD IN AUGUST 2008) WITH 21K MILES. I WAS PARKED IN THE LOCAL LOWE'S PARKING LOT. WHEN I CAME BACK FROM THE STORE, THE CAR BODY WAS SITTING DIRECTLY ON THE TIRES. IN ORDER TO GET HOME, I USED THE FLOOD LIFT. THE CAR REMAINED LIFTED AFTER USING THE FLOOD LIFT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. A MONTH LATER WE WERE ON A ROAD TRIP AND WE PULLED OVER TO GET GAS AND IT DROPPED AGAIN. AGAIN WE USED THE FLOOD LIFT UNTIL WE COULD GET HOME. WHEN WE GOT BACK WE SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER (MAY 2009) AT 33K MILES IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AGAIN I HAD TO USE THE FLOOD LIFT TO RAISE THE CAR BACK UP. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. AGAIN IT HAPPENED IN APRIL 2010 AT 49K MILES. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE STRUT ASSEMBLY-LEFT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION. IN OCTOBER 2010, 54K MILES THE RIGHT FRONT DROPPED. I USED THE FLOOD LIFT TO RAISE THE CAR. I WAS IN THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE DOOR WAS CLOSED. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I COULD HEAR HISSING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LEAK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AGAIN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ONE WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN REPLACED SUSPENSION. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY YEAR IN THE SUMMER. I BELIEVE THE HYDRAULIC SEALS USED IN MERCEDES BENZ AIRMATIC SYSTEMS MELT OR SOFTEN IN THE TEXAS HEAT CAUSING THE PARTS TO FAIL/LEAK. IT IS UNSAFE AS IT LEFT US STRANDED WITH CHILDREN MANY TIMES.

THE CONTINENTAL 275/55VR19 4X4 CONTACT EXTRA COST TIRES FURNISHED WITH MY 2008 M-B GL320 CDI HAVE A STRONG TENDENCY TO HYDROPLANE UNEXPECTEDLY, DANGEROUSLY AND AT LOW SPEEDS IN VERY SHALLOW WATER (WEAR GROOVES IN I-5 FREEWAY @ 55 MPH OR LESS). VIRTUALLY THE SAME CAR, (2007 M-B GL320 CDI) WITH STOCK MICHELIN LATITUDE 265/60HR18 TIRES NEVER DID HYDROPLANE EVEN IN HEAVY RAIN @ 70 MPH. THIS ATTRIBUTE IS UNSAFE, COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL, ACCIDENT AND INJURY, AND IS AVOIDABLE BY FITTING A PROPER TIRE. *TR