Owners have filed 43 complaints
about the 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE450 with NHTSA between 2016 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
818.6%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 18,407 mi
Engine & Cooling
716.3%
Median failure at 11,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
511.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 11,000 mi
Body & Structure
511.6%
Median failure at 33,500 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
49.3%
3 crashes, 0 fires
Steering
49.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 110,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
37.0%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
24.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Suspension
24.7%
Median failure at 53,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
12.3%
Wheels
12.3%
Median failure at 500 miles
Brakes
12.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
214.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
321.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
214.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
321.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
321.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2016peak 10Aug 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE450
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE21001Opened 8 Jan 2021Closed 14 Oct 2021STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Front Roof Panel Detachment
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradati...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Duluth, GACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED AND SHFTED INTO DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED UNITL IT STOPPED AFTER HITTING FENCE AND TILTED ON ITS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #11669693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED AND SHFTED INTO DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED UNITL IT STOPPED AFTER HITTING FENCE AND TILTED ON ITS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #11669693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GACrash1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED AND SHFTED INTO DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED UNITL IT STOPPED AFTER HITTING FENCE AND TILTED ON ITS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #11669693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While parking and putting my car in park. Hello, my car needs a recall. August 31, 2024 While parking and putting the car in park. my car shifted into Neutral and lunged forward causing me to hit a sign and maneuver away from a wall. My car is dangerous. Please help!! My car lunged forward and i ran into a bush. I am injured. This car malfunction jumping gears. Not shifting properly the car is dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11612929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CACrash1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While parking and putting my car in park. Hello, my car needs a recall. August 31, 2024 While parking and putting the car in park. my car shifted into Neutral and lunged forward causing me to hit a sign and maneuver away from a wall. My car is dangerous. Please help!! My car lunged forward and i ran into a bush. I am injured. This car malfunction jumping gears. Not shifting properly the car is dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11612929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CACrash1 injured
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
While parking and putting my car in park. Hello, my car needs a recall. August 31, 2024 While parking and putting the car in park. my car shifted into Neutral and lunged forward causing me to hit a sign and maneuver away from a wall. My car is dangerous. Please help!! My car lunged forward and i ran into a bush. I am injured. This car malfunction jumping gears. Not shifting properly the car is dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11612929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Coral Gables, FL
POWER TRAIN
MERCEDES-BENZ CORPORATE IS SHOWING A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR ME AS A CONSUMER AND HUMAN! MY BRAKES RECENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING (I LOST MY ABILITY TO BRAKE) AND IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY LIFE AND SAFETY WAS PUT IN JEOPARDY AND I AM IN SHOCK. AT THEIR REQUEST I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED IN TO MERCEDES-BENZ SERVICE AND CORPORATE ESCALATION IS DENYING MY CLAIM AND NOT PROVIDING ME ASSISTANCE IN ANY WAY.
NHTSA complaint #11683696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Gables, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
MERCEDES-BENZ CORPORATE IS SHOWING A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR ME AS A CONSUMER AND HUMAN! MY BRAKES RECENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING (I LOST MY ABILITY TO BRAKE) AND IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY LIFE AND SAFETY WAS PUT IN JEOPARDY AND I AM IN SHOCK. AT THEIR REQUEST I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED IN TO MERCEDES-BENZ SERVICE AND CORPORATE ESCALATION IS DENYING MY CLAIM AND NOT PROVIDING ME ASSISTANCE IN ANY WAY.
NHTSA complaint #11683696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED AND SHFTED INTO DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED UNITL IT STOPPED AFTER HITTING FENCE AND TILTED ON ITS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #11669693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED AND SHFTED INTO DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED UNITL IT STOPPED AFTER HITTING FENCE AND TILTED ON ITS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #11669693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GACrash1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED AND SHFTED INTO DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED UNITL IT STOPPED AFTER HITTING FENCE AND TILTED ON ITS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #11669693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,620 milesDelray Beach, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front roof panel detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,620.
NHTSA complaint #11664622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkridge, MD
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Mercedes Benz 2016 GLE450 AMG Coupe Backup Camera issue. The software problems cause backup camera to go blank /black screen. It does this randomly, it can worked for few weeks to a month, then suddenly just goes blank/black when the gear is in reverse (R). I have made complained to Mercedes Benz dealer when the issue first started and I was told that the year of my vehicle is not listed in the recall that was issued for the Mercedes Benz with backup camera issues, the recall was listed for 2019-2021. I was told that I have to wait until there is a recall for the 2016 GLE450 AMG Coupe.
NHTSA complaint #11650010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermitage, TN
ENGINE
Gear Shift issue there are several forums with this issue car goes from park to neutral when trying to shift to drive. then goes straight to drive 3 stuck between drive 3 and drive 5 the very concerning issue is if the car does shift to drive 1 it throws itself into neutral while driving this is an extremely dangerous issue ! mercedes has to know because of the complaints extremely upset that no recall has been issued ...
NHTSA complaint #11617815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermitage, TN
ENGINE
There is a known issue With this vehicle with the shifting(hard shifting) there's a glitch when shifting to drive it automatically shifts to neutral then to drive 3 ! the glitch is that its not transmitting correctly to the transmission . if the car does shift to drive 1 it throws itself into neutral while driving that's dangerous !! there are several forums with this issue and I am very surprised there has been no recall this is very upsetting!
NHTSA complaint #11617428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While parking and putting my car in park. Hello, my car needs a recall. August 31, 2024 While parking and putting the car in park. my car shifted into Neutral and lunged forward causing me to hit a sign and maneuver away from a wall. My car is dangerous. Please help!! My car lunged forward and i ran into a bush. I am injured. This car malfunction jumping gears. Not shifting properly the car is dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11612929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CACrash1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While parking and putting my car in park. Hello, my car needs a recall. August 31, 2024 While parking and putting the car in park. my car shifted into Neutral and lunged forward causing me to hit a sign and maneuver away from a wall. My car is dangerous. Please help!! My car lunged forward and i ran into a bush. I am injured. This car malfunction jumping gears. Not shifting properly the car is dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11612929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CACrash1 injured
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
While parking and putting my car in park. Hello, my car needs a recall. August 31, 2024 While parking and putting the car in park. my car shifted into Neutral and lunged forward causing me to hit a sign and maneuver away from a wall. My car is dangerous. Please help!! My car lunged forward and i ran into a bush. I am injured. This car malfunction jumping gears. Not shifting properly the car is dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11612929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forney, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
In May 2023 I took my 2016 GLE 450 AMG into "Park Place Motor Cars Mercedes" (Dallas) for the (MBUSA 2023010002 and 2023010003) "Water that could Leak into the Spare Tire area, Impacting the Fuel Pump" recall. Park Place stated that they didn't locate any signs of water in the trunk area and would place a water drain plug in the spare tire area to drain water, incase water entered the area. In January 26, 2024, while driving, my GLE 450 loss propulsion without warning causing me to almost get rear ended. Unbeknownst to me, that this was related to the recall from 2023, I had the vehicle towed to a local "certified repair shop". The shop stated that i would need to replace the fuel pump units. Approximately 2 months later while my daughter was driving the GLE 450, the vehicle loss propulsion without warning once again causing my daughter to be stranded at a "Stop sign" 30 miles from home at approximately 1245 am. I had the vehicle towed to "Park Place Motorcars". Service advisor informed me that the Fuel pump unit had failed due to water entering into the trunk and they would have to determine where the water was coming from. I then asked to speak to manager and I remembered that a recall describing this situation had been conducted less than a year prior to this incident (2x). After approximately 1 month the service advisor messaged me and stated that the repair(s) wouldn't be covered under the recall warranty due to the fact that debris was found underneath the vehicle, causing the drain plug to be blocked. I am terrified to allow my family to continue driving this vehicle with the current remedy that Mercedes has chosen to use (drain plug), that did NOT fix the problem specified in the defective issue within the recall paperwork. The REMEDY should be to determine how the water is entering into the vehicle. The water has caused 2 fuel pump incidents within 1 year leading to the loss of propulsion without warning and increasing the risk of a serious crash.
NHTSA complaint #11594112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forney, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
In May 2023 I took my 2016 GLE 450 AMG into "Park Place Motor Cars Mercedes" (Dallas) for the (MBUSA 2023010002 and 2023010003) "Water that could Leak into the Spare Tire area, Impacting the Fuel Pump" recall. Park Place stated that they didn't locate any signs of water in the trunk area and would place a water drain plug in the spare tire area to drain water, incase water entered the area. In January 26, 2024, while driving, my GLE 450 loss propulsion without warning causing me to almost get rear ended. Unbeknownst to me, that this was related to the recall from 2023, I had the vehicle towed to a local "certified repair shop". The shop stated that i would need to replace the fuel pump units. Approximately 2 months later while my daughter was driving the GLE 450, the vehicle loss propulsion without warning once again causing my daughter to be stranded at a "Stop sign" 30 miles from home at approximately 1245 am. I had the vehicle towed to "Park Place Motorcars". Service advisor informed me that the Fuel pump unit had failed due to water entering into the trunk and they would have to determine where the water was coming from. I then asked to speak to manager and I remembered that a recall describing this situation had been conducted less than a year prior to this incident (2x). After approximately 1 month the service advisor messaged me and stated that the repair(s) wouldn't be covered under the recall warranty due to the fact that debris was found underneath the vehicle, causing the drain plug to be blocked. I am terrified to allow my family to continue driving this vehicle with the current remedy that Mercedes has chosen to use (drain plug), that did NOT fix the problem specified in the defective issue within the recall paperwork. The REMEDY should be to determine how the water is entering into the vehicle. The water has caused 2 fuel pump incidents within 1 year leading to the loss of propulsion without warning and increasing the risk of a serious crash.
NHTSA complaint #11594112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesSan Francisco, CACrash
STEERING
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel stopped operating and the vehicle crashed into a guard rail. The warning message "power steering" failure was displayed after the crash. No air bags were deployed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed with a failed electric power steering and control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the power steering failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering), however, the contact was not notified of the campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11582135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
SUSPENSION
Front upper control arm sway bushings cracking after being replaced. Strained vehicle Noise when going over numbs or dips. Unstable suspension. Also output shaft is leaking oil.
NHTSA complaint #11501359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Front upper control arm sway bushings cracking after being replaced. Strained vehicle Noise when going over numbs or dips. Unstable suspension. Also output shaft is leaking oil.
NHTSA complaint #11501359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
POWER TRAIN
Electrical - Drivers lock does not lock/unlock with remote, with door lock. Have to physically lock/unlock drivers door. if you do not you will not get in door and you will not open from inside. If you do not lock manually your door will be open even though the other doors locked. Power Train - transmission is clucking between gear especially at slow speeds, Transmission in L1-5 sometimes does not shift up or down. sometimes does not go into drive from manually shifting from L gears. some downhills the tranny does not slow vehicle on down hills. Engine - valves and lifters are noisy at startup. Sounds like 1 or two cylinders. Suspension - Rear stock suspension bottoms easily also excessive motion up and down.
NHTSA complaint #11482122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngsville, LA
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2016 Mercedes GLE 450 AMG was running perfectly but stalled while I was making a left turn onto a major roadway and I was inches from a catastrophic accident. My car was towed to Mercedes Benz dealership and the technician informed me that the trunk seal was not sealing properly causing water to get in through the trunk and shorted out a fuel pump module. My trunk was not wet and only indication of water was when the rear compartment was lifted near the spare tire area so I was not aware of a possible leak. My car is mostly garage kept unless I am at work where it’s exposed to weather. It had been raining for several days in our area. After doing online research, it appears to be an existing problem for Mercedes owners. I’m concerned because I could have lost my life due to this issue and someone may not be so fortunate if the problem goes unresolved.
NHTSA complaint #11482126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical - Drivers lock does not lock/unlock with remote, with door lock. Have to physically lock/unlock drivers door. if you do not you will not get in door and you will not open from inside. If you do not lock manually your door will be open even though the other doors locked. Power Train - transmission is clucking between gear especially at slow speeds, Transmission in L1-5 sometimes does not shift up or down. sometimes does not go into drive from manually shifting from L gears. some downhills the tranny does not slow vehicle on down hills. Engine - valves and lifters are noisy at startup. Sounds like 1 or two cylinders. Suspension - Rear stock suspension bottoms easily also excessive motion up and down.
NHTSA complaint #11482122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngsville, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2016 Mercedes GLE 450 AMG was running perfectly but stalled while I was making a left turn onto a major roadway and I was inches from a catastrophic accident. My car was towed to Mercedes Benz dealership and the technician informed me that the trunk seal was not sealing properly causing water to get in through the trunk and shorted out a fuel pump module. My trunk was not wet and only indication of water was when the rear compartment was lifted near the spare tire area so I was not aware of a possible leak. My car is mostly garage kept unless I am at work where it’s exposed to weather. It had been raining for several days in our area. After doing online research, it appears to be an existing problem for Mercedes owners. I’m concerned because I could have lost my life due to this issue and someone may not be so fortunate if the problem goes unresolved.
NHTSA complaint #11482126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
ENGINE
Electrical - Drivers lock does not lock/unlock with remote, with door lock. Have to physically lock/unlock drivers door. if you do not you will not get in door and you will not open from inside. If you do not lock manually your door will be open even though the other doors locked. Power Train - transmission is clucking between gear especially at slow speeds, Transmission in L1-5 sometimes does not shift up or down. sometimes does not go into drive from manually shifting from L gears. some downhills the tranny does not slow vehicle on down hills. Engine - valves and lifters are noisy at startup. Sounds like 1 or two cylinders. Suspension - Rear stock suspension bottoms easily also excessive motion up and down.
NHTSA complaint #11482122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngsville, LA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2016 Mercedes GLE 450 AMG was running perfectly but stalled while I was making a left turn onto a major roadway and I was inches from a catastrophic accident. My car was towed to Mercedes Benz dealership and the technician informed me that the trunk seal was not sealing properly causing water to get in through the trunk and shorted out a fuel pump module. My trunk was not wet and only indication of water was when the rear compartment was lifted near the spare tire area so I was not aware of a possible leak. My car is mostly garage kept unless I am at work where it’s exposed to weather. It had been raining for several days in our area. After doing online research, it appears to be an existing problem for Mercedes owners. I’m concerned because I could have lost my life due to this issue and someone may not be so fortunate if the problem goes unresolved.
NHTSA complaint #11482126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesDouglasville, GA
STEERING
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to maneuver the vehicle. The power steering malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the Year/Make/Model was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11479934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Shifter and speed control car goes into nuetral instead of drive. The car excessively breaks when not necessary. Car stalling and locking steering wheel constant clicking after driving coming from the fuel tank. I use premium gas always the best quality. Problems with the control modules saying transmission not in park will roll away but car is in park the car automatically going into modes without prompt showing on dash. Tow engaging without print. It’s ver scary. Please fix these glitches. My car was off the road by and in safe driver as I got back into the road m. Thus is hie The accident Happened my car locked and cut off ion the road and when I tried to turn my steering wheel I was hit. My car stalled and steeering wheel locked.
NHTSA complaint #11479861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.