Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Complaints

681 consumer complaints on file.

#11772983October 22, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
In the past 1 year, my car has had about 6-7 incidents where the car abruptly breaks and seatbelts tighten. This has been at speeds of 30- 40mph more or less. NOTE: There was NO reason for the hard breaking as there were NO cars and NO pedestrians in sight. Most recently, I was almost rear ended by the car behind me - thankfully they swerved into the swale/shoulder. I have also had a few incidents while driving on I-75 at 70mph where the car quickly slows to 30mph. It seems the car may have interpreted a nearby exit. The BIGGER concern for me is the full-on hard breaking as that is certainly a safety issue. I have had passengers in my car during the several hard-stops. I just returned from the dealership service department where, after having the car for 2.5 days, say "we found nothing wrong". Of course, there IS SOMETHING WRONG and I am certain it will happen again, yet the service department just brushed me off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772548October 20, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, SEAT BELTS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, which has experienced multiple incidents of sudden, unintended automatic braking while driving, despite no vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles being present ahead. During one particularly dangerous incident, I was traveling on the expressway when the vehicle unexpectedly applied its brakes aggressively and came to a sudden stop without any braking action initiated by me. This created an extremely dangerous situation and placed me and other motorists at risk of a serious collision. This was not an isolated incident. The vehicle has unexpectedly applied its brakes on multiple occasions under circumstances where braking was not necessary. The vehicle is currently at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates, where the dealership performed a software update during the October 2026 service visit to address the unexpected braking concern. However, I have not received sufficient documentation explaining the cause of the malfunction or how the dealership verified that the issue has been permanently corrected. During this same service visit, the dealership also identified significant front brake pad wear, measuring approximately 2–3 mm, at 32,042 miles. I have requested clarification regarding whether the repeated unintended braking could have contributed to the brake wear. The dealership maintains that the braking components are operating correctly and that the brake replacement is normal maintenance. I am concerned that the vehicle's automatic braking system may present an ongoing safety risk. I am requesting that NHTSA review these incidents and determine whether further investigation into a potential vehicle safety defect is warranted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772326October 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
On XXX, at about 3:30 PM, my wife was driving our 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (under 10,000 miles) home with our [XXX] son in the front passenger seat. Smoke began coming from the seat belt area and from under the front passenger seat, and the vehicle caught fire while being driven. The fire started under the passenger seat where my son was sitting; he got out in time and was not injured, but he could have been seriously burned. We called [XXX] and the fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle is a total loss. Mercedes-Benz USA opened case #XXX; after almost two months the case remains 'under review' with no findings, and the assigned case manager has not returned calls. We also continue to be billed about $1,149/month on the lease for a vehicle that burned and cannot be driven. I am reporting this as a serious safety defect: a fire originating under the front passenger seat / seat belt area of a nearly new vehicle while in normal operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771809October 17, 2026
SEAT BELTS, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On XXX, at about 3:30 PM, my wife was driving our 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (under 10,000 miles) home with our [XXX] son in the front passenger seat. Smoke began coming from the seat belt area and from under the front passenger seat, and the vehicle caught fire while being driven. The fire started under the passenger seat where my son was sitting; he got out in time and was not injured, but he could have been seriously burned. We called [XXX] and the fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle is a total loss. Mercedes-Benz USA opened case #XXX; after almost two months the case remains 'under review' with no findings, and the assigned case manager has not returned calls. We also continue to be billed about $1,149/month on the lease for a vehicle that burned and cannot be driven. I am reporting this as a serious safety defect: a fire originating under the front passenger seat / seat belt area of a nearly new vehicle while in normal operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771810October 17, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
On XXX, at about 3:30 PM, my wife was driving our 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (under 10,000 miles) home with our [XXX] son in the front passenger seat. Smoke began coming from the seat belt area and from under the front passenger seat, and the vehicle caught fire while being driven. The fire started under the passenger seat where my son was sitting; he got out in time and was not injured, but he could have been seriously burned. We called [XXX] and the fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle is a total loss. Mercedes-Benz USA opened case #XXX; after almost two months the case remains 'under review' with no findings, and the assigned case manager has not returned calls. We also continue to be billed about $1,149/month on the lease for a vehicle that burned and cannot be driven. I am reporting this as a serious safety defect: a fire originating under the front passenger seat / seat belt area of a nearly new vehicle while in normal operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771867October 17, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I heard only an unusual air or wind noise coming from above while driving at approximately 45 mph. I did not notice any rock, object, or other impact striking the panoramic sunroof before the incident. When the interior sunroof screen/cover slid open, I discovered that the panoramic sunroof glass had shattered. The airflow carried the shattered glass away, and some pieces fell inside the vehicle. I do not know what caused the glass to break. I will also submit a request for Mercedes-Benz to investigate the cause of this unexpected failure and determine whether a manufacturing or material defect, or another vehicle-related issue, may have contributed to the incident. Given the potential danger to vehicle occupants and other road users, I ask that this incident be formally documented as a safety complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771656October 16, 2026
Other/I am not sure
The rear door window divider bar detached while driving on highway. Unsure if this bar hit another car, we noticed it after the trip ended. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership. There were no warnings or messages about the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770791October 13, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Since shortly after the vehicle's purchase, I have experienced a persistent, recurring, and unresolved defect in the vehicle's brake hydraulic system. Specifically, after the vehicle has been stationary at a traffic light or stop for a period of time with the brake pedal depressed, the brake pedal progressively sinks and travels to the floor under steady foot pressure, causing the vehicle to roll forward against my intent. This condition occurs under normal static brake application — not during active braking maneuvers. Normal braking function appears unaffected during active driving, but the pedal sink and fade condition under sustained static pressure constitutes a loss of hydraulic brake holding force that creates an immediate and serious risk of collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770862October 13, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor failure (P0191) This issue generated a check engine light and limp home mode to be initiated. I have had the part changed and when it was changed the previous part had a manufacturing date of 2025. After replacing with new certified part the issue happened again less than a month later. I have researched and found out that Mercedes has issued a Campaign (L107.70-P-078047) for this issue but they are saying my VIN does not have a recall or campaign attached to it. My vehicle is presenting with the exact issues this campaign states and the same P0191 code that is mentioned in the campaign. It states that there is a software update needed and a flash done on the computer. This issue is causing a safety hazard for driving for when it goes into limp home mode at any speed and any location.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770202October 9, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC Approximate mileage at failure: 75,000+ miles While driving my 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC, the check-engine light illuminated and the engine subsequently began making a knocking noise. The vehicle remained operable and I drove it home. Because the event occurred on a Saturday, I drove the vehicle directly to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership the next business day. The dealership inspected the vehicle and documented metal flakes and pieces in the oil filter/filter housing, with suspected crankshaft/rod-bearing failure and possible additional internal engine damage. Mercedes-Benz recommended complete engine replacement. This vehicle had a prior documented check-engine-light event in April 2025. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership recorded diagnostic trouble code P03040085, indicating a cylinder 4 misfire. There were also previous check-engine-light concerns for which the underlying cause was not definitively identified. Mercedes-Benz subsequently issued an extended warranty applicable to certain M264-engine vehicles, including qualifying GLE 350 models, concerning cylinder-head/exhaust-valve wear associated with misfire fault-code families including P030x85. I am concerned that my vehicle may have experienced a developing M264 engine defect prior to the catastrophic internal engine failure and that sudden internal engine failure of this type could create a safety risk if it occurs while a vehicle is being driven at highway speeds or in heavy traffic. I am reporting this failure so that NHTSA can determine whether similar premature internal engine failures, cylinder-misfire conditions, or related M264 engine failures are occurring in other Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769962October 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On October 7, 2026, while driving my 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 450e plug-in hybrid on the freeway (I 280 south between Woodside and Sand Hill Road) the panoramic sunroof suddenly shattered with an extremely loud, explosive sound. We did not see anything strike the vehicle, and there was no car immediately in front of us, so nothing was kicked up from another car. The glass shattered extensively, with much of it breaking away while we continued driving. Fortunately, the interior sunshade was closed and remained intact, preventing shattered glass from entering the passenger compartment. We were not injured. Given the sudden and extensive nature of the breakage, I am concerned about a possible defect in the panoramic sunroof glass or assembly. Our experience aligns with others who have had their sunroof spontaneously fail. Had the interior shade been open, the glass would have fallen on me, the driver, while traveling at freeway speeds. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this incident is consistent with other reported panoramic sunroof failures involving Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769414October 6, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
I am reporting a serious and potentially dangerous safety defect involving the panoramic sunroof on my 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450. While my wife was driving the vehicle southbound on [XXX] at approximately 6:30 AM, the panoramic sunroof suddenly and catastrophically exploded/blow out without warning. The vehicle was traveling approximately 63 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. Weather conditions were clear to partly cloudy, with a temperature of approximately 62°F. At the time of the incident, the panoramic sunroof was fully closed and the interior sunshade was open . There was no known impact, collision, road debris, hail, vandalism, or other event that could have caused the glass to break. No impact sound or object striking the roof was observed before the glass failed. The glass appears to have failed suddenly and under pressure the spontaneous, pressurized blowout forced the initial blast upward and outward onto the freeway. The shattered glass remaining in the frame then fell downward into into the vehicle and onto my wife's head and creating an immediate safety hazard for the driver. A spontaneous panoramic glass roof failure at highway speed could cause driver distraction, impaired visibility, loss of vehicle control, and serious injury. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership for inspection. I have also reported the incident to Mercedes-Benz USA and have an open customer-care case regarding the matter. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this incident and determine whether the panoramic sunroof/glass assembly on the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 presents a safety defect or pattern of premature/spontaneous failure. I believe this incident should be documented and investigated before a similar failure results in serious injury or a highway crash. I can provide photographs, dealership documentation, Mercedes-Benz correspondence, and additional information regarding the incident upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769461October 6, 2026
ENGINE
The engine/check-engine and cold-start noise problems have recurred despite multiple dealer repairs. In July-August 2025 the dealer documented misfire codes and a loud screech after cold starts. Its Aug-Sept repair order recorded the check-engine light returning one day after coil work, coolant entering a cylinder, and head-gasket/injector work. The dealer reported a completed test drive Sept. 17, 2025; the owner reported the vehicle broke down again Sept. 24 after only a short period of use. The service manager later described coolant/oil mixing and damaged crankshaft bearings, but said the precise cause/timing could not be determined; an engine rebuild was performed. In January 2026 the vehicle again had misfire codes, engine knocking, very low compression in one cylinder and leaking valve seats, leading to a new cylinder head under a warranty extension. A screeching startup noise has again been reported in 2026, including a recent noise when moving/reversing. The current source is unknown. The concern is possible recurrence of an engine-related failure that could disable the vehicle in traffic. There was no reported crash, fire or injury. The vehicle and repair records are available for inspection; the dealer has been asked for a documented cold-start diagnosis. This report does not claim the current noise has been diagnosed as a manufacturer defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768715October 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
1. The Factory Assembly Defect During production of the 2020–2021 GLE and GLS line (V167 platform), Mercedes-Benz factory assembly workers improperly secured or seated the air conditioning evaporator condensation drain hoses. Because condensation water could not drain out underneath the vehicle, it emptied inside the vehicle—pooling silently underneath the heavy soundproofing foam, carpeting, and floor pans. 2. The Resulting Hidden Damage Underneath the floorboards of the GLE sits critical electrical infrastructure, including the main vehicle wiring harnesses, CAN-bus junctions, and sensitive electronic control modules. As water accumulated, it submerged and corroded these electrical connectors. This failure caused severe symptoms documented by NHTSA: sudden engine stalls, loss of drive power (limp-home mode), failure of the eCall crash system, locked doors, and fire hazards from electrical short circuits. Because the foam soaked up gallons before dampness was ever felt on top of the carpet, the vehicle had zero symptoms during the factory warranty period—the damage developed silently out of sight. 3. The Regulatory Recalls Mercedes-Benz AG was forced to issue multiple safety recall campaigns with NHTSA—most notably NHTSA Campaign ID 23V-177 (MBUSA Recall Campaigns 2023030014 and 2023030015), covering over 61,000 vehicles. 4. Why MBUSA Denied Your Buyback / Referral The Warranty Expiration Trap: Once you crossed the 4-year/50,000-mile mark without a repair recorded inside the original warranty window, MBUSA’s legal team categorized your file as outside strict state Lemon Law statutes. The "Hose-Only" Position: MBUSA's executive customer assistance desk uses the recall remedy to limit financial liability: they authorize dealers to reinstall or reseat the rubber hose, but refuse to voluntarily pay the massive out-of-pocket costs to replace corroded wiring harnesses, control modules, and moldy sub-flooring. Returned from trip car wont start. Towed mercedes
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768718October 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The central MBUX display has gone completely blank- no communication with control panel head unit. It is not receiving data because the MBUX is frozen. Technician tried to perform a software flash update, but Mercedes own server-side security is locked. The technician attempted to reload the software, but it was explicitly blocked by Mercedes own security software. His findings were that this is failure caused within their own propriety software ecosystem and not normal wear and tear. There is no water damage or outside influence. Because the central display remains black, the backup camera is completely non-functional the rear-view backup camera fails while in reverse posing an immediate hazard to pedestrians and surrounding property. I am losing access to vital driving metrics. My 2021 Mercedes GLE350 exhibits identical safety MBUX failure as shown in NHTSA campaign 21V345000 and 20V089000. I am formally requesting that NHTSA evaluate this defect to expand the scope of recall to initiate a formal safety inquiry into 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 MBUX Screen failures. Vehicle Purchased December 30, 2024, milage, 35,925. MBUX blacked out July 14, 2026 @61,933 milage. Mercedes-Benz has failed to take responsibility for system failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768626October 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I own a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE purchased new (delivered Nov 3, 2024). The vehicle has a recurring transmission/powertrain problem: (1) when I suddenly press the accelerator down hard , including fully, there is a delay of about 1–2 seconds before the vehicle accelerates, followed by a sudden surge; (2) harsh, jerking downshifts, for example 5th to 4th gear below 40 mph, and jerking when slowing from 40 to 20 mph or accelerating from 50 to 70 mph. SAFETY CONCERN: On multiple occasions on the highway, when I tried to merge into an adjacent lane and pressed the accelerator harder, the vehicle did not respond for approximately 2 seconds and then suddenly accelerated. A vehicle behind me nearly collided with mine. I cannot reasonably predict when the vehicle will start accelerating or how strongly, which makes merging and passing unsafe. The same delay of about 2 seconds also occurs when I accelerate at full throttle. In an emergency, where I need to accelerate immediately to avoid a hazard, this delay could prevent me from escaping the danger. I have taken the vehicle to the authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer four times for this problem: 9/9/2025 (9,583 miles), 8/5/2026 (18,568 miles), 8/6/2026 (18,579 miles) and 9/11/2026 (19,704 miles). On 8/6–8/7/2026 the dealer verified a harsh 5-4 downshift and performed transmission adaptations, and attributed the acceleration delay to slow downshifting in Comfort mode. On 9/11/2026 I reported that both problems were still present; the dealer could not duplicate the harsh downshift and deemed the lag normal. The problem has not been fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766634September 24, 2026
ENGINE
The vehicle repeatedly had a check-engine light and the same engine-related complaint during multiple repair visits. The dealer attempted repairs several times, including an engine rebuild and later cylinder-head work. Despite those repairs, the engine later failed. The same loud screeching noise has now returned on cold start and lasts about 7-10 seconds. This is the same recurring problem that brought the vehicle in for repair. I believe the repeated failure to correct the condition led to the engine failure; the cause of the current screech has not yet been independently diagnosed. I am concerned about another engine failure and possible loss of power while driving. No crash, fire, or injury is being reported with this recurrence.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766401September 23, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On 8/28/2026, my Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (W166, M276 engine) experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine stall while driving in active traffic. There was no Check Engine Light (CEL), dashboard warning, or mechanical hesitation prior to the failure. The vehicle instantly lost all propulsion, power steering, and power braking assist, creating an extreme crash hazard and requiring immense physical effort to maneuver the dead vehicle off the roadway. Independent diagnostic teardown by a module specialist confirmed the root cause: an unrepairable internal short circuit between the internal PCB layers of the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Because Mercedes-Benz chose to mount this sensitive electronic module directly to the top of the hot engine block, it is subjected to extreme thermal cycling and vibration. This predictable thermal degradation causes the internal board layers to delaminate and short out. When this internal short occurs, the ECU instantly dies and shuts down the entire vehicle without warning. This is a severe, life-threatening engineering defect. A safety investigation is urgently needed to address the mounting location and thermal failure rate of M276 ECUs before a sudden high-speed stall results in a fatal collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766402September 23, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On 8/28/2026, my Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (W166, M276 engine) experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine stall while driving in active traffic. There was no Check Engine Light (CEL), dashboard warning, or mechanical hesitation prior to the failure. The vehicle instantly lost all propulsion, power steering, and power braking assist, creating an extreme crash hazard and requiring immense physical effort to maneuver the dead vehicle off the roadway. Independent diagnostic teardown by a module specialist confirmed the root cause: an unrepairable internal short circuit between the internal PCB layers of the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Because Mercedes-Benz chose to mount this sensitive electronic module directly to the top of the hot engine block, it is subjected to extreme thermal cycling and vibration. This predictable thermal degradation causes the internal board layers to delaminate and short out. When this internal short occurs, the ECU instantly dies and shuts down the entire vehicle without warning. This is a severe, life-threatening engineering defect. A safety investigation is urgently needed to address the mounting location and thermal failure rate of M276 ECUs before a sudden high-speed stall results in a fatal collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766441September 23, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dashboard screen went black. No information available. Speed, RPM, all warning lights, turn signal lights and all information like fuel level etc. Everything total blank…happened twice and reported to MB dealership but they could not replicate the issue. Have photo of blank screen. Not aware of speed while driving or any warnings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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