The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz M/GLE
2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE.
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE has too few complaints to score: 12 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about steering, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 15 to 21 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 108 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 106K miles on the car (77 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 50K–93K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 56K–112K miles
Recalls 2
- brakes 2024
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- brakes 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 95 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit
- Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both…
- Groaning or dull, heavy cracking noises from steering shaft area
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $4500–5300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Car stalled at highway speed of approximately 55 mph. Daughter was barely able to get the car stopped due to lack of power steering and brakes. Was barely able to avoid tree and injury to her and her passenger.
2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE owner · NHTSA complaint 10231847
More owner reports
The oil level low message comes on even when the oil level is full. This occurs at highway speed when outside temperatures are high.
NHTSA complaint 10219662
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (25%), engine (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
2 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE get?
15 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,800 and 106,500 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 77 complaints.
Does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE cost in fuel a year?
About $4500 to $5300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works