Model year guide

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 69 on record.

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints38
Typical price$10,401

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

What's a 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class worth?

Low
$6,700
Typical price
$10,401
High
$13,450

From 69 comparable 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class listings.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 80

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 80.

Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while brakin…

Bulletin LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Brakes · Sep 2026

Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis workin…

Bulletin LI82.62-P-078631 · Structure · Aug 2026

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experi…

Bulletin LI35.30-P-058566 · Power Train · Jul 2026

Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is…

Bulletin LI82.10-P-078301 · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2026

Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is…

Bulletin LI82.10-P-078301 · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2026

Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A le…

Bulletin LI82.10-P-078307 · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2026

Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is…

Bulletin LI82.10-P-078301 · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2026

Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A le…

Bulletin LI82.10-P-078896 · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2026

Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is elimin…

Bulletin LI33.30-P-056665 · Power Train · Nov 2025

Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is elimin…

Bulletin LI33.30-P-056665 · Power Train · May 2025

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the R-CLASS RWD/AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class trims & engines on record

Trims
R350 4MATIC · R350 · R320 CDI
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class vehicles on record

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E28A088727 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E18A079033 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R320 CDI4JGCB22E18A070068 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E78A069283 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E38A074151 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E08A062224 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E88A066739 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E78A069770 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E58A075681 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E08A081596 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E28A066915 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E38A064940 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E38A076179 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E98A067186 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E08A076382 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E68A080534 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E08A066119 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E78A063306 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E08A075202 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E38A081771 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R350 4MATIC4JGCB65E58A085577 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E08A066279 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E48A068052 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class R3504JGCB56E38A083853

Other Mercedes-benz R-Class model years

2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006

2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class?

Across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, steering, service brakes.

How much is a 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class worth?

Comparable 2008 Mercedes-benz R-Class listings run roughly $6,700–$13,450, typically around $10,401 (from 69 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.