25 of the
338 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz GLE 350
are about the fuel system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
We were traveling to our son’s college graduation, driving on a rural interstate and suddenly all of the vehicle’s warning lights lit on the dash and the car started losing, and then completely lost power. The car was no longer operational. We were stranded on the roadside of a remote but busy 2-lane interstate for 2 hours until a tow truck could arrive and take the car to the closest car repair shop which was 45 minutes away. This was an incredibly dangerous situation and we were fortunate to be alongside the shoulder, although we were still close to the tractor trailers and cars on the interstate. (Because we were stranded in such a remote place, we had no other options to get to our son’s graduation. We were unable to attend because of this.) The rural repair shop the car was initially towed to could not determine the problem. A few days later we found a 2nd tow truck that agreed to bring the vehicle several hundreds of miles back to our home city. This car is a 2020 model, and has around 55,000 miles. It has been meticulously maintained by a certified Mercedes mechanic. There were no issues with the car and no indication that there might be a problem. Our mechanic has thoroughly inspected the vehicle and said that the engine has completely seized and the only option is to replace it. We have no idea why this happened. If requested, the vehicle is available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11739738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I got gas the estimated range indicated 308 Miles. We traveled approximately 134 Miles the estimated range was at 86 Miles it was dropping rapidly but average miles indicated 26.5 MPG. The next day we added fuel again and we were at 382 Miles. Then we drove 70 miles and the fuel indicator was showing that our range only decreased 15 Miles. During the trip the range increased multiple times and between the two days we traveled we did not know how much fuel was left in the car. The first trip it showed that we burned half a tank and the second day it showed we hardly burned any gas. This particular model has Open Recall for fuel pump system issues and display software. We were afraid that we were running out out of gas and would not be able to complete our trip or run out of gas in the middle of the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11710490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After starting my vehicle and placing it into drive, a warning message appeared on the dashboard stating, “Vehicle warning Do not continue to drive,” indicating that the vehicle would be unable to move forward or in reverse. Immediately following the warning, the vehicle lost all ability to move in either direction while other vehicles were approaching, creating a hazardous situation placing my safety at risk. I was required to keep my foot on the brake and ultimately place the vehicle in the park position. The vehicle was subsequently towed to the dealership. Following diagnostic testing, the dealership confirmed a transmission solenoid valve fault in the control unit and recommended replacement of the transmission valve body and park pawl solenoid, along with a transmission service. The condition was confirmed by the dealership, and there were no warning messages, indicator lights, or symptoms prior to the sudden failure.
NHTSA complaint #11707704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #11694138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The fuel pump has been failing and shutting off and has been hesitant when taking off. It can leave you stranded in the middle of the road or if you turn left in front of people the car may stall and can cause a crash. Yes and independent dealer and the dealer both know it’s a problem. I took the vehicle into a Mercedes dealer and the fuel pump had a recall on it and the dealer refused to replace it although I had a engine code that they could pull up referring them to the fuel pump and the fuel pump not priming as it should in every start up. The failure happened a few months ago and I took it in and the dealer drilled a home in the rear of my car and failed to replace the fuel pump, which was covered under the warranty. And the dealer admitted there was water in the trunk area which corroded the fuel pump.
NHTSA complaint #11685152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car has stalled 4 or 5 times, while driving in traffic. This can obviously be life threatening. The check engine light came on yesterday. We recently brought the car to Mercedes Benz in Daytona Beach, Florida. They told us we had low pressure in the cylinders, and needed a new cylinder head for $10,000. The cylinder pressures on their test however were all normal. They never mentioned a recall for a fuel pump defect causing cars to stall. A local independent repair company confirmed the cylinder pressure test was normal. Mercedes recalled 324,000 vehicles for this defective fuel pump between 2012 and 2020 (abc news). They recalled over 143,000 vehicles from June 2021 to 2023. My model, GLE350, was included in both recalls. I called Mercedes customer service. They said my car was built in February 2021, and there is no recall for this vehicle. There have been recalls for defective fuel pumps from 2012 to 2020, and June 2021 to 2023. I strongly suspect my vehicle built in February 2021 has the same defective fuel pump. I will bring the vehicle to an independent well qualified service center. If they diagnose a fuel pump problem. I would like Mercedes to reimburse me for the repair.
NHTSA complaint #11679179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Strong raw gasoline odor in cabin, making passengers “light headed”. Called dealer about a fuel system recall on this model however they said my vin number didn’t fall under the recall.. no warning lights are on
NHTSA complaint #11663764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes that indicated a loss of communication between the fuel pump control unit and the fuel pump. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there was water accumulation in the spare tire wheel well. The dealer replaced the blown seals and the fuel pump control unit under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the failure persisted. The dealer recommended a fuel pump replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes that indicated a loss of communication between the fuel pump control unit and the fuel pump. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there was water accumulation in the spare tire wheel well. The dealer replaced the blown seals and the fuel pump control unit under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the failure persisted. The dealer recommended a fuel pump replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle will not turn over and start. Unable to drive to work, water accumulated in the back spare tire area. No warning or alerts appeared on the dash the vehicle would not turn over.
NHTSA complaint #11617052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V880000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved loudly and there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The clicking remained for approximately 10-15 minutes while driving after starting the vehicle. The noise had become more persistent and would occur while driving at speeds of 45 MPH or higher. While coasting and attempting to accelerate the vehicle would shift roughly and jerk while shifting to first gear. The dealer was contacted and was unable to complete the recall remedy due to a lack of available parts. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 10,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11606858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle, while on (P)ark, will move forward on its own. The vehicle will move either millimiters at a time or up to a quarter inch in a single incident. These incidents are continuous in nature and can be duplicated by simply putting the vehicle in Park after driving it shortly after start. The vehicle has been taken in several times to the dealership, where the Service Director has claimed that they cannot replicate the issue. Mercedes Benz refuses to address the issue as the vehicle is not producing any fault codes. I have videos and photos of this issue occurring, the latest set taken the afternoon of Saturday, July 27, 2024 between 6:00 p.m. and 7 p.m. A passenger can feel and hear the vehicle move forward, but the dealership Service Department director claims that this was "normal". As to the best of my understanding and research, a vehicle on (P) should not move a single millimeter, much lech up to a quarter of an inch. It is my opinion that this poses not just a driveability issue but also a safety issue as there is no assurance that the vehicle will remain immobilize while in (P)ark.
NHTSA complaint #11605282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A safefy recall was issued December 2023 for my vehicle. I received a recall notification letter dated February 2024. The letter stated that the fuel pump impeller mighe deform contacting the fuel pump housing causing the fuel pump to stop operating. As a result the vehicle could lose drive power and increase the risk of a crash or injury. As a result I am reluctant to drive my vehicle far from home. I'm told after nearly five months there is no remedy. Someone at the local dealership said the remedy is available but had not reach the area where I live. As a customer I am totally dissatisfied with the handling of this safety recall.
NHTSA complaint #11589354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V880000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11585255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V88000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11576003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that water had intruded into the connector and the fuel pump control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, after the vehicle was retrieved, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact then stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that water had collected in the wheel well and caused the wheel well to rust. Additionally, the contact stated that she noticed that water had collected in the spare tire, the battery, and the body of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the water caused mold and rust throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a specialist where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated that she was not made aware of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the dealer was handling the recall, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11510855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.