2018 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 2018 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
- Electrical218.2%
- Visibility218.2%
- Driver assistance19.1%
- Airbags19.1%
- Powertrain (other)19.1%
- Steering19.1%
- Suspension19.1%
- Other / unspecified19.1%
- Body & structure19.1%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Safety issue with regarding the TCU (Telematics Control Unit). Active recall does not include my VIN# /Make & Model. NHTSA campaign number 22V365. My car has Constant SOS Inoperative Message after battery failure in 2021-2022.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open, and there was a fracture causing water to leak into the cabin of the vehicle from the upper-right side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the motor and tracks for the sunroof had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the entire unit needed to be replaced due to previous parts no longer being compatible with the new improved parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
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
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open, and there was a fracture causing water to leak into the cabin of the vehicle from the upper-right side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the motor and tracks for the sunroof had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the entire unit needed to be replaced due to previous parts no longer being compatible with the new improved parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE43 AMG. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD BOOM SOUND AND THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY DEBRIS OR FOREIGN OBJECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS GLASS IN HER HAIR, ON HER FACE, AND ON THE CHILDREN SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF HOUSTON NORTH (17510 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 305-8970). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUN ROOF MAY HAVE SHATTERED BY A ROCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
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
I WRITE YOU TO REPORT A SERIOUS MERCEDES BENZ SAFETY HAZARD. THE GLE 43 WITH PIRELLI PZERO TIRES RESPONDS ADVERSELY (WITHOUT REASONABLE CONTROL) IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. IN EVEN MILDLY SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE TIRES PLANE ON THE SNOW AND ACT MORE AS SKIS THAN TIRES. IN 2018, AFTER LEASING MY GLE 43 I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL, SLIDING SIDEWAYS, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5-10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. FOLLOWING THAT EXPERIENCE I PURCHASED SNOW TIRES AND THE CAR HANDLED MUCH MORE FAVORABLY. IN 2018 WHEN I LEASED THE CAR, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT ONLY THE SPORT TIRES WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE SIZE TIRE I REQUESTED. CLEARLY I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE SNOW TIRES THE SAME YEAR AND I SUSPECT, BUT HAVE NOT CONFIRMED, ALL WEATHER TIRES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. MERCEDES MISTAKENLY DID NOT OFFER (OR MAKE THE STANDARD) ALL WEATHER TIRES. THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY MISTAKE WITH THE GLE 43. ON 07 SEP OF THIS YEAR (2020), DRIVING EAST ON I-70 IN COLORADO DURING A MILD SNOW STORM, I WAS REQUIRED TO COME TO A TRAFFIC STOP. CONDITIONS OFFERED AMPLE ROAD TO STOP. THE GLE SPEED WAS ~40-50 MPH WHEN I APPLIED BREAKS TO STOP THE CAR. INSTEAD OF RESPONDING WITH CONTROL, THE GLE FISHTAILED AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. I FINALLY SLID TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANES OF STOPPED TRAFFIC AFTER AT LEAST ONE 360 DEGREE SPIN. MY FAMILY AND I WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE ESCAPED INJURY OR DEATH. OTHERS AROUND US COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THE GLE'S PERFORMANCE WITH PIRELLI PZERO TIRES WAS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. I BELIEVE MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SAFETY CONCERN AND TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS. SPECIFICALLY, I REQUEST THE FOLLOWING: 'MAKE THE PIRELLI PZERO SAFETY CONCERN IN WINTER CONDITIONS KNOWN TO ALL GLE OWNERS AND OFFER ALTERNATE TIRES 'REPLACE THE TIRES ON MY GLE WITH ACCEPTABLE ALL WEATHER TIRES 'REPAIR THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
My wife was hit pretty bad and was transported to hartford hospital and none of the airbag was deployed. I need help to sue Mercedes Benz. I thank god my daughter not in the car and my wife is alive. Attach are the photos and the east hartford can testify that none of the airbag save or protect my wife. I am disappointed at Mercedes and I have another Mercedes at home which am even scared to drive
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car will slip from drive to neutral while driving and when stopped. Need to shut car off numerous times to get it back into drive. Very dangerous when this happens on the highway
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
My car randomly swerves in a zigzag motion unexpectedly, nearly causing several accidents. I am scared to drive my car. I have not been able to detect any triggers, as it will do this randomly, regardless of a smooth road, street conditions, weather, speed, freeway, neighborhoods, etc. No warning lamps have come on. Tires are in excellent condition. I have not found any information online, and everything seems to be in perfect working order, tough it is absolutely not.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN BETWEEN 65-70 MPH AND HITTING A PUDDLE, THE REAR END SWAYS VERY STRONGLY AND EXCESSIVELY, IT SCARED ME TO DEATH. 2. WHEN DRIVING ON A DRY ROAD OVER SEWAGE CAP, THE REAR END SLIDES LEFT AND RIGHT TO A DEGREE OF NOTICIBLE AND DISCOMFORT. 3. STINKY SOUR/MOLD SMELL FROM AC UNIT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WRITE YOU TO REPORT A SERIOUS MERCEDES BENZ SAFETY HAZARD. THE GLE 43 WITH PIRELLI PZERO TIRES RESPONDS ADVERSELY (WITHOUT REASONABLE CONTROL) IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. IN EVEN MILDLY SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE TIRES PLANE ON THE SNOW AND ACT MORE AS SKIS THAN TIRES. IN 2018, AFTER LEASING MY GLE 43 I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL, SLIDING SIDEWAYS, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5-10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. FOLLOWING THAT EXPERIENCE I PURCHASED SNOW TIRES AND THE CAR HANDLED MUCH MORE FAVORABLY. IN 2018 WHEN I LEASED THE CAR, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT ONLY THE SPORT TIRES WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE SIZE TIRE I REQUESTED. CLEARLY I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE SNOW TIRES THE SAME YEAR AND I SUSPECT, BUT HAVE NOT CONFIRMED, ALL WEATHER TIRES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. MERCEDES MISTAKENLY DID NOT OFFER (OR MAKE THE STANDARD) ALL WEATHER TIRES. THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY MISTAKE WITH THE GLE 43. ON 07 SEP OF THIS YEAR (2020), DRIVING EAST ON I-70 IN COLORADO DURING A MILD SNOW STORM, I WAS REQUIRED TO COME TO A TRAFFIC STOP. CONDITIONS OFFERED AMPLE ROAD TO STOP. THE GLE SPEED WAS ~40-50 MPH WHEN I APPLIED BREAKS TO STOP THE CAR. INSTEAD OF RESPONDING WITH CONTROL, THE GLE FISHTAILED AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. I FINALLY SLID TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANES OF STOPPED TRAFFIC AFTER AT LEAST ONE 360 DEGREE SPIN. MY FAMILY AND I WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE ESCAPED INJURY OR DEATH. OTHERS AROUND US COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THE GLE'S PERFORMANCE WITH PIRELLI PZERO TIRES WAS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. I BELIEVE MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SAFETY CONCERN AND TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS. SPECIFICALLY, I REQUEST THE FOLLOWING: 'MAKE THE PIRELLI PZERO SAFETY CONCERN IN WINTER CONDITIONS KNOWN TO ALL GLE OWNERS AND OFFER ALTERNATE TIRES 'REPLACE THE TIRES ON MY GLE WITH ACCEPTABLE ALL WEATHER TIRES 'REPAIR THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving on the interstate (on I95) and heard a loud pop/bang ! I didn’t know what it was because my AMG exhaust pops and bangs but this was extremely LOUD, I pulled over immediately to the side of the road thinking maybe I blew my engine and upon inspection I noticed my roof panel was broken and it flew off of my car, this is EXTREMELY dangerous had someone been behind me it could have definitely caused a crash. There are multiple reportings of this happening with other Mercedes GLE such as the vehicle I own, I was told my specific vin is not included when the same part and glue were used on my vehicle. This HAS to be looked into
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 .