2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure116.7%
- Brakes116.7%
- Driver assistance116.7%
- Electrical116.7%
- Tires & wheels116.7%
- Visibility116.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle accelerated on its own after a stop in front of the garage after stopping. It was so fast that it ramped into the building and destroyed it until a pillar put it to a stop.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO MY 10/1/18 REPORT TO NHTSA: 2/21/19 UPDATE: I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MB DATED 2/13/19 STATING THAT AFTER A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER, "THE VEHICLE'S ACTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM (ABA) IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED". ON 11/12/18 I TRADED THIS CAR IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE (NOT MB). I TOOK THE RESPONSIBLE ACTION TO PROTECT MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS SINCE MB WAS NOT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING A CAUSE AND SUBSEQUENT REPAIR OF THEIR OWN VEHICLE'S SERIOUS DEFECT. THE LETTER WENT ON TO SAY "THAT THERE IS NO BASIS FOR ANY CLAIM AGAINST MBUSA". THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH LITIGATION THAN MANUFACTURING AND SERVICING A VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I WAS FULLY EXPECTING THAT MB WOULD WANT TO GET THIS VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND AT THE VERY LEAST REMOVE THE PORTION OF THE SOFTWARE THAT CAUSED THIS INCIDENT. INSTEAD THEY SENT ME THE ATTACHED LETTER THAT SOMEHOW MADE THE ISSUE MINE BY SAYING THAT ABA "IS AN ASSIST SYSTEM THAT IS INTENDED TO AID BUT NOT REPLACE THE DRIVER". AT NO TIME WAS I IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT DECIDED TO DO A 4 WHEEL LOCKUP. FOR THESE REASONS I WILL NEVER RETURN TO THE BRAND. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED WITH A BRAND THAT I BELIEVED TO BE A PREMIUM VEHICLE FROM A MANUFACTURER THAT TOOK DRIVER SAFETY SERIOUSLY. I WILL REPRODUCE THIS EMAIL IN THE EVENT THAT SOME 3RD PARTY WANTS DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE WARNED MBUSA OF THEIR PRODUCT DEFECT AND THAT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO PROTECT OR WARN THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AS I HAVE STATED IN THE PAST, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOT AN ISOLATED ANOMALY. YOU ARE ACTING RECKLESSLY IN NOT TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
When removing my vehicle out of Park the gear shifted to Neutral and then it began heavy jerking when switching gears. The vehicle would stall and stay in neutral then it would shift gear and go back into neutral which is dangerous and almost caused a collision of me possiblly being rear ended in drive thru
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the radio screen went blank. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN associated with the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have a 2017 Mercedes AMG GLE 43 Coupe SUV. In just over a year both my rear OE Cross Contact LX Sport 315/40R-21 111 H Continental tires have blown out while driving. This past Christmas the 2nd one blew at highway speed limit (55-60 MPH) almost causing a tragic accident to my family. One tire had apprx 32K miles and the 2nd apprx 39K. Both tires disintegrated around the inside rims. I was unaware of any recall of some Continental tires at the time and can't find my tires on the list and understand the deadline was last August '21. Without knowing of the recall I subsequently purchased 2 OE replacement tires at a installed cost of about $700. The tire shop that installed the new tires stated it looked to be a manufacturing issue. While the tires were removed and I assume recycled or something by the tire shop, I do have a few pictures of the damage. I have also submitted a complaint today to Continental Customer Service.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Wednesday Dec 27th 2023 at approx 6pm. While enroute on Interstate 81 South at Hagerstown VA in heavy rain, darkness and heavy traffic at highway speed the windshield wiper arm on the passenger side (right) suddenly collided with the drivers side arm - the wiper blade flew off and was lost the wiper arms then became entangled and ceased to operate. I believe I was quite fortunate to find an opening between trucks to get to the right side shoulder and pull the vehicle off the road. On investigation I found that the right side wiper arm was rotating freely and not operating - obviously having suffered a mechanical failure. I could not determine any immediate cause. The left side wiper arm seemed to operate normally and after waiting for the rain to subside I was able to continue the journey to an overnight stop. In my view this is an event that should never occur - the right side wiper arm is a complex mechanical linkage which operates at high velocity to sweep the area. This resulted in a complete loss of visibility at 55mph. There could have been very serious consequences. There was no warning, sound or sign of an impending failure. I will record a video of the current state of the wiper arms. I will be giving the vehicle to the Mercedes Dealer in Naples, Florida for inspection and repair. It is my judgement that given reasonable weather my trip can be completed safely.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .