CSR

Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

61

Complaints

6

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 have filed 61 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2017 and February 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 12 of them (20%). The typical failure was reported at 20,177 miles, the median across the 25 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 7 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (7)

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

22V955000 · December 23, 2022

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
The risk
An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · up to 348,183 vehicles across all model years covered

COMMUNICATION

21V072000 · February 12, 2021

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
The risk
A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · up to 67 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

21V058000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
The risk
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · up to 1,292,258 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

17V816000 · December 18, 2017

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLS450, GLE63S 4Matic, GLS63 4Matic, S550e, S600, S63 AMG 4Matic, S65 AMG, S550, Mercedes-Maybach S600, Mercedes-Maybach S550 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE63S 4Matic Coupe, 2017-2018 GLS550 4Matic, S550 4Matic, 2018 S450, and S63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear passenger door on the driver side may indicate that it is locked, when it may not be. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
The risk
If the door appears to be locked, the door may be unintentionally opened, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left rear door lock, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 8,700 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

17V077000 · February 8, 2017

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE 400 4Matic, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 350, GLE 550E 4Matic, GLE 63 AMG, GLE 63S AMG, GLE 43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE 63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLS 450 4Matic, GLS 550 4Matic, and GLS 63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. In certain types of crash events, the center console may unlatch, allowing the objects within to fly around the cabin. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
The risk
In the event of a crash, if objects are not secured within the center console, they may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the center console so that it remains latched in a crash, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 5,882 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

16V903000 · December 15, 2016

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic Bluetec, GL550 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe, GLE450 4Matic, 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, and 2017 GLS63 AMG vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, to May 10, 2016. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration may be incorrect, and as a result, the system can incorrectly classify the occupant as a child seat, deactivating the front passenger air bag.
The risk
If the front passenger air bag does not deploy as necessary in the event of a crash, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 47,799 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

16V759000 · October 20, 2016

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GLE 300d 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 350 4MATIC, and GLE 400 4MATIC vehicles manufactured October 14, 2015, to November 23, 2015. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
The risk
If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 2,215 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 61.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 20%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8 13%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 10%
STEERING 6 10%
COMMUNICATION 4 7%
ENGINE 4 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 5%
STRUCTURE 3 5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 3%
POWER TRAIN 2 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 11.

2017 2024 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · crash · towed

The brakes, possibly including the brake boosters, failed on the 2017 GLE SUV on 7/19/22. The car would not stop and crashed into a brick wall. Mercedes currently has a recall for the brake boosters for models similar to mine but not my model year. The recall should include the 2017 GLE models as well. The public and drivers are at risk for injury, including death. The car is available for inspection. It currently is housed at an insurance repair shop. No warning lamps illuminated to alert that the brakes were failing.

NHTSA complaint 11474904. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 84,541 miles

The contact owned a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while slowing at approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn to pull into a driveway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a fence and came to a stop. The contact had not sustained any injuries, and medical attention was not needed. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that the fence was damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure but was taken to be repaired. The contact then stated that approximately a year later while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, into ongoing traffic at a cross street. The contact

NHTSA complaint 11701558, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

crash · 11,500 miles

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT 2 MPH I STRUCK A TRASH RECEPTACLE THAT WAS LOCATED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MERCEDES BENZ (MB) PARKTRONIC SENSOR DID NOT SOUND AN AUDIBLE ALARM UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO REACT. FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT I TESTED THE AUDIBLE ALARM SENSOR FOUR TIMES AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ALARM DID NOT SOUND UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS 3", 9", 9", AND 12" FROM THE TRASH RECEPTACLE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE REAR CORNER SENSOR ACTIVATES AT 32" - BUT IT DOES NOT STATE WHICH TYPE OF SENSOR ACTIVATES, I.E. VISUAL (FLASHING LIGHTS) OR AUDIBLE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE A BROKEN TAIL LIGHT COVER AND TEST THE SYSTEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT

NHTSA complaint 11082217, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

crash

ELECTRONIC SHIFTER STAYS IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE PARKING. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND OFTEN CAUSES A DANGEROUS ROLLING CONDITION AFTER PARKING UNTIL THE DRIVER IS AWARE THE VEHICLE IS NOT STOPPED AND IN PARK. NO AUDIBLE ALERTS OR SAFETY WARNINGS ARE TRIGGED IF YOU DO NOT PRESS PARK. IN ONE CASE OUR VEHICLE ROLLED ACROSS A PARKING LOT CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TOTALING $4,213.95 AND COULD HAVE EASILY KILLED SOMEONE.

NHTSA complaint 11139376. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a Certified Mercedes GLE 350 with many advanced safety features. Including a SOS feature that allows I believe detects an accident and reports it to Mercedes as well as allows me to press the SOS button to manually contact Mercedes to report a need for help plus other functions. Thnis is a very important safety feature to me as I am getting order and may need assistance. In addition years ago a family friend was involved in a non fatal accident at night and was injured and traped in the car. Although the initial accident was not fatal, because the car was not located for some time and the friend was injured, bu the time the car was located the friend died due to the length of

NHTSA complaint 11708403, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded while driving. It was the rear section of the sunroof. There was a loud boom sound. There were no vehicles nearby kicking up rocks, etc. I jumped and screamed but managed to remain somewhat calm trying to figure out where the sound came from in the vehicle. I then realized it was the panoramic sunroof as sunlight began to trickle into the vehicle. Fortunately, the shade had been pulled closed. Otherwise, more tiny shards of glass would have immediately fallen on me. I handed to situation over to my insurance company for repair.

NHTSA complaint 11702123. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my Mercedes-Benz vehicle. While driving home recently, without any warning, I heard a sudden explosion that sounded like a gunshot. In an instant, shattered glass fell throughout the interior of the car, covering my daughter, grandson, and me. Fortunately, the only other vehicle nearby was at a considerable distance; otherwise, the outcome could have been catastrophic. Our car swerved sharply as a result of the shock. We came to realize that the sunroof had exploded and completely shattered.

NHTSA complaint 11696132. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

65,340 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the center digital screen failed to function as intended while attempting to use the safety features. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the command control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,340.

NHTSA complaint 11691253. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While driving our 2017 MB GLE 350-4matic at about 40 mph, it spontaneously downshifted to M1. We were in traffic, so this was a very dangerous for us and for the people behind us. We limped to our destination, not knowing what had happened or what to do. When we re-started the car the next day, it seemed ok. But after driving some distance, it spontaneously downshifted to M1 again. We stopped the car, turned it off and re-started it. My mechanic checked the car with his analyzer, which showed that the transmission was not transmitting/displaying gear changes. I am taking my car to another repair shop tomorrow that has a more sophisticated analyzer. When I first explored this problem on the

NHTSA complaint 11650102, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 15 3
2022 34 7
2021 48 14
2020 89 27
2018 40 7 1
2016 50 9

Other 2017 Mercedes-Benz models

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst