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2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Jul 27, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC, 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

  • Engine337.5%
  • Electrical225.0%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%

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

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My car has only 28,392 miles on it, but the yellow check engine light recently came on due to a faulty oil pump solenoid. I took it back to the dealership, and the repair cost was a staggering $7,000; they told me this is a common issue with this Mercedes engine. If this fails to function, engine noise will increase while driving and fuel consumption will rise; there may also be other unknown risks. The issue stems from a manufacturing defect that causes the malfunction indicator light to remain illuminated, preventing the vehicle from passing the annual emissions inspection and rendering it ineligible for legal road use; furthermore, the repair entails removing the front subframe and oil pan, resulting in unreasonably high repair costs.

NHTSA ID 11745528 · filed Jun 22, 2026

While driving on I-84 between [XXX] and [XXX] , the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine failure with no prior warning. The engine seized, resulting in an immediate loss of power while traveling at highway speed, creating a dangerous situation in active traffic. The driver was fortunate to safely pull the vehicle onto an exit ramp. State police arrived and positioned their vehicle behind it to prevent a potential collision with other vehicles. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the failure. The vehicle had approximately 80,000miles and was regularly maintained. The issue has been confirmed by a service center, and the engine may require full replacement. The sudden and unexpected nature of this failure raises serious safety concerns and potential defect issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11734164 · filed Apr 27, 2026

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2021 GLE350 - 4JGFB4KB7MA355768 purchased December 30, 2024 with 35,000. miles. Current milage 61,933. There is a critical electrical/software defect in the MBUX system which has completely blacked out. This VIN# has not been placed on recall but it is suffering the same failure as previous models (Including NHTSA campaign #21V354 and #26V281000 and I believe it warrants further investigation. The display failure creates significant safety hazards. Loff of Rear View Camera. Loss of Driver Instruments Warning. Essential driver information, including speed, safety warnings and system alerts while the vehicle is in motion, which creates a safety hazard. I have reached out to Mercedez corporate office, dealership, the issue remains unresolved. I request that NHTSA log this safety complaint and evaluate whether further enforcement or expended recall action is required to ensure Mercedes remedies this defect at no cost to vehicle owners.

NHTSA ID 11753046 · filed Jul 27, 2026

I purchased my vehicle 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 from Mercedes Dealership in Ontario, and had it for only about 4 months before it catching on fire while parked at the doctors office. I purchased it [XXX], and it caught fire on [XXX] while at the doctors. I didn't drive much since I work from home. Primary reason for purchase was to have a working and safe vehicle to transport family to their doctor appointments. Mileage at purchase was 59982. Last mileage 60,292. Insurance currently has the vehicle at Copart in Colton while doing their investigation for the claim I filed. I have the police report and fire report as well. At the time of purchase, I asked if there was anything wrong or if any know issues with vehicle, I was reassured no issues. Reviewing the insurance CCC report, I come to find out the vehicle has 3 recalls with possibility of fire incidents. The carfax provided doesn't say that either recall issue was performed as another recall issue with the fuel pump was performed and disclosed. Beyond devastated that I have no vehicle now and that I expected this one to last much much longer. There was no indication of anything wrong with the vehicle, no warning lights nor check engine. Fire was indicated to start in engine compartment on the passengers side by the fire investigator. This incident affected 3 families. As a teacher, I find everyone's life precious and its sickening to know that my life and other lives were in danger. Had I waited 5 more minutes in the vehicle, I fear that this message may not have existed at all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11720960 · filed Feb 27, 2026

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2021 GLE350 - 4JGFB4KB7MA355768 purchased December 30, 2024 with 35,000. miles. Current milage 61,933. There is a critical electrical/software defect in the MBUX system which has completely blacked out. This VIN# has not been placed on recall but it is suffering the same failure as previous models (Including NHTSA campaign #21V354 and #26V281000 and I believe it warrants further investigation. The display failure creates significant safety hazards. Loff of Rear View Camera. Loss of Driver Instruments Warning. Essential driver information, including speed, safety warnings and system alerts while the vehicle is in motion, which creates a safety hazard. I have reached out to Mercedez corporate office, dealership, the issue remains unresolved. I request that NHTSA log this safety complaint and evaluate whether further enforcement or expended recall action is required to ensure Mercedes remedies this defect at no cost to vehicle owners.

NHTSA ID 11753046 · filed Jul 27, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased my vehicle 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 from Mercedes Dealership in Ontario, and had it for only about 4 months before it catching on fire while parked at the doctors office. I purchased it [XXX], and it caught fire on [XXX] while at the doctors. I didn't drive much since I work from home. Primary reason for purchase was to have a working and safe vehicle to transport family to their doctor appointments. Mileage at purchase was 59982. Last mileage 60,292. Insurance currently has the vehicle at Copart in Colton while doing their investigation for the claim I filed. I have the police report and fire report as well. At the time of purchase, I asked if there was anything wrong or if any know issues with vehicle, I was reassured no issues. Reviewing the insurance CCC report, I come to find out the vehicle has 3 recalls with possibility of fire incidents. The carfax provided doesn't say that either recall issue was performed as another recall issue with the fuel pump was performed and disclosed. Beyond devastated that I have no vehicle now and that I expected this one to last much much longer. There was no indication of anything wrong with the vehicle, no warning lights nor check engine. Fire was indicated to start in engine compartment on the passengers side by the fire investigator. This incident affected 3 families. As a teacher, I find everyone's life precious and its sickening to know that my life and other lives were in danger. Had I waited 5 more minutes in the vehicle, I fear that this message may not have existed at all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11720960 · filed Feb 27, 2026

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

While driving on I-84 between [XXX] and [XXX] , the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine failure with no prior warning. The engine seized, resulting in an immediate loss of power while traveling at highway speed, creating a dangerous situation in active traffic. The driver was fortunate to safely pull the vehicle onto an exit ramp. State police arrived and positioned their vehicle behind it to prevent a potential collision with other vehicles. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the failure. The vehicle had approximately 80,000miles and was regularly maintained. The issue has been confirmed by a service center, and the engine may require full replacement. The sudden and unexpected nature of this failure raises serious safety concerns and potential defect issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11734164 · filed Apr 27, 2026

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

Data on this page last refreshed .