2006–2008 Mercedes-Benz GL, 2006–2008 Mercedes-Benz ML Recall: Trailer Hitches

NHTSA campaign 08V242000 · Trailer Hitches · filed Jun 2, 2008 · verified Jul 30, 2026

Units reported

53K

Manufacturer

MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Risk

Crash / injury

Owner letters

Mailing began Jun 16, 2008

The defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 52,740 MY 2006-2008 GL AND ML CLASS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FLEX-N-GATE TRAILER HITCH. SOME OF THE WELD SEAMS CONNECTING THE TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER TO THE ATTACHMENT BAR USED TO SECURE THE TRAILER HITCH TO THE BODY FRAME DO NOT MEET PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS.

The risk

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE TRAILE RHITCH RECEIVER SEPARATING FROM THE ATTACHMENT BAR, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. THE TRAILER HITCH MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED.

Check whether your specific vehicle is affected

Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.

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The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE TRAILER HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2008. OWENRS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2008050004.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affected vehicles

Make	Model	Model years
Mercedes-Benz	GL	2006, 2007, 2008
Mercedes-Benz	ML	2006, 2007, 2008

Related recalls

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Other campaigns involving Mercedes-Benz vehicles

All Mercedes-Benz GL recalls → · All Mercedes-Benz recalls →

Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 08V242000 (manufacturer number 2008050004). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.