2017 Mercedes-Benz GL350

I LEASED THE 2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLE 350 IN DECEMBER 2016. WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF HAVING THE CAR, IT STARTED MAKING THIS SQUEALING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE NOISE COME AND GOES. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR FOR MAINTENANCE IN NOVEMBER 2017, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE WAS NOT PRESENT WHILE SERVICING THE CAR THEREFORE THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. FAST FORWARD ANOTHER 8 MONTHS AND I GOT A WARNING LIGHT IN MY CAR SAYING THAT I NEEDED TO CHANGE MY BRAKE PADS. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS CAR ONLY HAD 15,000 MILES AT THIS POINT. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR DOWN. WHEN I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS THE USUAL, THE SERVICE REP INFORMED THAT THEY USUALLY DONT CHANGE BREAKS UNTIL ABOUT 30,000 OR SO BUT THESE BREAKS HAVE BEEN WEARING DOWN UNEVENLY THEREFORE THEY NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. WHEN I ASKED HIM IF THEY WERE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SQUEALING NOISE WAS, HE SAID THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NOISE WAS UNTIL THEY CHANGED THE BREAKS AND ROTORS. HE ASSUMED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THERE BUT IF THIS WAS SO, THEN THAT WOULD MEAN THAT THIS CAR WAS DEFECTIVE SINCE RIGHT AFTER A GOT IT. THE REP. PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MY DRIVING MAY HAVE CAUSED THE UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR OF MY BREAKS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE 2 LITTLE KIDS THEREFORE MY DRIVING IS NOT WRECKLESSLY OR CONDUSIVE OF WEARING DOWN BREAKS WITHIN A YEAR. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME FORUMS ONLINE OF MB LEASERS COMPLAINING OF THESE SAME TWO ISSUES; BREAKS AND WEIRD NOISES COMING FROM NEW CARS. SOME MENTIONED THE TYPE OF BREAKS USED ON THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THEM. PLEASE HELP ME RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THE CARMAKER NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11142113

Incident

Aug 27, 2018

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, June 11, 2026. After June 11th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.

The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, June 4, 2026. After June 4th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.

Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4 °F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the hood. 4. Switch on the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Clearing of fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps on electric vehicles: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4°F). 2. Connect battery backup via a charger. 3. Open the front-end flap and ensure sufficient ventilation. 4. Switch on the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Clearing fogged/condensed halogen/xenon headlamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4°F). Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine. 3. Open the hood. 4. Switch off the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Note: If there is no visible reduction in condensation, check the headlamp for malfunctions. (see Remedy 2) It is not physically possible to defog the headlamps completely. Fogging does not impair the operation or the service life of the headlamp. Note: Only implement Remedy 1 for model series 463 (from model year 2018) and model series 465. Remedy 2 A defective headlamp can be identified as follows: 1. Check the headlamp for external damage and that the cover caps and the diaphragm are correctly seated. 2. Check the electrical connectors of the plugs and pins. 3. Check for leak tightness according to LI82.10-P-078307. The test can only be conducted on headlamps. 4. If the headlamp or the rear lamp has any external damage, replace the component part in accordance with the WIS instructions. Note: External damage to the headlamp/rear lamp or faulty seating of the cover caps does not present a warranty or goodwill case. Note: With headlamps, it is possible to install desiccant packs if the problem occurs repeatedly. • Open ventilation system LI82.10-P-078302 • Closed ventilation system LI82.10-P-078304

Complaint Check engine light on with the following fault is current in the VGS Control Unit: P084300 Oil pressure sensor 'A' has a short circuit to positive stored in VGS control unit. Cause Electrical failure of oil pressure sensor integrated into VGS Control Unit Remedy Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) recognizes this fault pattern and will provide the necessary repair suggestion. 1. Perform IPR and follow the recommended procedures 2. Replace complete EHS valve body, fill to near max fluid level, & complete initial start-up - Ensure all oil guide pipes are installed in the new valve body to prevent a new concern after replacement.

Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause Modified oil quality of the transfer case over time Remedy 1. Check initial quick test for faults in the following control units. N45 or N15/7 - All-wheel drive (ARS) N127 - 'Drivetrain' (PTCU) control unit Y3/8 - Transmission control for 9-gear transmission (VGS) N3/10 - Engine electronics for combustion engine If faults are present: Process them as per the guided test in Xentry. If no faults are present: 2. Check the transmission oil level If the oil level is correct: 3. Unplug the connector for the transfer cases control unit and reassess the vehicle on a subsequent test drive If the complaint no longer occurs with the control unit disconnected: 4. Perform an oil change of the transfer case according to WIS specifications - Collect an oil sample of the original fluid 5. Complete all transfer case Tech-in processes located under VG Control Unit > Adaptations - Resetting the oil service data - Calibration of N15/7 5. Perform road test of vehicle to bring transmission to operating temperature ( >60C ) 6. Operate vehicle in full circle with steering at full lock - 5x to the left - 5x to the right Return the vehicle to the client and request they drive the vehicle for at least 200 miles and return if the concern is not resolved. The extended drive will ensure the clutches are properly conditioned with the new oil and should resolve the concern. If the concern continues to occur with the control unit disconnected or after the above steps have been performed, please submit a TIPS case to the Powertrain inbox with the following information: - Initial quick test with fault freeze frame data - Initial transmission EEPROM data - VGS and Transfer Case Control Unit Log (N45 or N15/7) - Photo of the original oil condition - What color was the fluid drained from the transfer case before the oil change? - Was an oil sample collected, and can you provide a photo of the original fluid? - What color and part number fluid was used during the oil change? - How far was the vehicle driven after?