2008 GLs on fire
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
G35 and Nissan Armada
2008 GLs on fire
my brother in laws 2008 GL450 caught on fire, last friday they came from a shopping, parked can on drive way, then the fire started under the seat, since I have 2009 model anyone know if there is any issue with it. the guy who came to pick the car, tow truck driver, told them, this is his 6th one. this is in dallas... In don't have any photos, when i get it i will post them. Insurance company told them this is their 22nd one
kid of worried...
kid of worried...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
Do you know which seat the fire started under? The battery is under the passenger seat and could be the source of these problems although this is the first I am hearing of this...........
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Little Rock, AR
2009 GL550
here's a few posts on Edmunds board with similar complaints (not sure if it's same), but first I've heard of it, and given the seriousness of this issue - I cant imagine MB wouldnt do an immediate recall of all impacted models. I will need to see pics in order to believe this isn't a slandering attempt on MB.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f17fb24
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f17fb24
Last edited by Franman; Oct 9, 2009 at 03:22 PM. Reason: Forgot link
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
2008 GL 550
here's a few posts on Edmunds board with similar complaints (not sure if it's same), but first I've heard of it, and given the seriousness of this issue - I cant imagine MB wouldnt do an immediate recall of all impacted models. I will need to see pics in order to believe this isn't a slandering attempt on MB.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f17fb24
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f17fb24
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 GL 320 CDI with P2 package, black and black, all leather, trailer hitch.
I sent an email to my dealer as well as MB on this issue. Let us see what they will reply with.
I suggest we all contact our dealers and MB to put pressure on them to come out with any issue/recall that they are aware of.
We all value our families more than anything else.
I suggest we all contact our dealers and MB to put pressure on them to come out with any issue/recall that they are aware of.
We all value our families more than anything else.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 GL 320 CDI with P2 package, black and black, all leather, trailer hitch.
I got a call back from MB (not the dealer). The reply is that while MB does not comment on posts like this, they have verified the QA records and do not find any incidents recorded. In other words, MB does not seem to have any incident reported to them. How is it possible that members report incidents here but they are not recorded by MB? I am sure members contacted MB.
Anyway, on the same call, I come to know that a service campaign is issued for rear sam replacement for my vehicle vin number so took appointment with dealer to get it done.
Anyway, on the same call, I come to know that a service campaign is issued for rear sam replacement for my vehicle vin number so took appointment with dealer to get it done.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
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From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
DO NOT depend on M-B (or any other manufacturer) to be completely candid on issues like this. Until they decide what the 'official' company position is, data is withheld form the personnel answering your query. Sort of like the BBB - their stock answer to a complaint is "we have nothing on file about company xxx". That just means they have no file system!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 337
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From: Hong Kong
2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
is this only for GL450s? or is it applicable to other models as well? I don't see what difference there is in the electrical layout of the car. Just purchased a 2008 GL500 so this ain't good...
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Joined: Nov 2005
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C32 AMG
DO NOT depend on M-B (or any other manufacturer) to be completely candid on issues like this. Until they decide what the 'official' company position is, data is withheld form the personnel answering your query. Sort of like the BBB - their stock answer to a complaint is "we have nothing on file about company xxx". That just means they have no file system!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
GL 450
ok, here are pictures of a torched GL 450.
Here are pics of my wife's car. This should answer any questions. I have personally spoken to three other GL 450 owners whose cars have spontaneously combusted. It's shocking that MB is not acknowledging this. And RECALLING ALL 2007, 2008, 2009 GL 450s. Feel free to contact me with any further questions...They're dangerous, and they catch fire for no particular reason, or at least not one that MBUSA is willing to acknowledge for obvious reasons.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
Here are pics of my wife's car. This should answer any questions. I have personally spoken to three other GL 450 owners whose cars have spontaneously combusted. It's shocking that MB is not acknowledging this. And RECALLING ALL 2007, 2008, 2009 GL 450s. Feel free to contact me with any further questions...They're dangerous, and they catch fire for no particular reason, or at least not one that MBUSA is willing to acknowledge for obvious reasons.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
GL 450
the fire department/ investigator traced the start of the fire to the battery area under the front passenger seat which is also where my wife heard the initial popping noise as the fire was getting started. Thankfully she was able to get out in time, and was driving without our two kids in car seats. They'd have been in big trouble, in light of how quickly the car was engulfed in flames.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 67
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From: Edmonton, AB
2010 R8 V10, 2013 Cayenne GTS, 2014 GLK 250
Wow...
I think you just helped me make my decision between the GL 350 and the BMW X5 35d.
I don't care how perfect the size of the vehicle is, or what have you, but this is retarded. I cannot even understand how a company cannot even acknowledge the issue. I mean, honestly, at least admit that you are aware of the issue, but cannot comment until all cases have been reviewed.
I imagine it will take a fatality before the company decides to make a comment.
I don't care how perfect the size of the vehicle is, or what have you, but this is retarded. I cannot even understand how a company cannot even acknowledge the issue. I mean, honestly, at least admit that you are aware of the issue, but cannot comment until all cases have been reviewed.
I imagine it will take a fatality before the company decides to make a comment.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
the fire department/ investigator traced the start of the fire to the battery area under the front passenger seat which is also where my wife heard the initial popping noise as the fire was getting started. Thankfully she was able to get out in time, and was driving without our two kids in car seats. They'd have been in big trouble, in light of how quickly the car was engulfed in flames.
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 183
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From: Portland, OR
S550 , S430
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 33
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From: Houston metro area
2010 E350 and 2008 GL320CDI
What about GL320's and GL550's?
I still haven't been able to find any instances of this affecting the diesel models (GL320's) or the higher end GL550's. Anyone??
