2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC

I am submitting this complaint regarding my Mercedes-Benz GLE350 with VIN [XXX] . I have brought the vehicle in for service on multiple occasions—October, January, March, May, and November—due to recurring transmission-related issues. These issues include jerking, delayed acceleration, and irregular shifting. Each time, the dealer did not confirm a definitive fault but performed software updates or adaptations. While the symptoms temporarily disappeared, they repeatedly returned. I am concerned that the root cause remains unresolved, and I seek a proper resolution. Supporting documentation is attached. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11718478

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

I purchased my Mercedes-Benz new, and it currently has only 1,800 miles on it. My wife primarily drives the car, and we have experienced several alarming incidents where the vehicle suddenly shuts down while driving. 1.About two weeks after we purchased the car, it stalled at a stop sign. At the time, we ignored it. 2.On two separate occasions afterward, the vehicle suddenly slowed down and stopped while she was driving on the highway. 3.Most recently, two days ago, while driving to work early in the morning on the freeway, the car suddenly stopped in the dark. Thankfully, there were no cars immediately behind her. She attempted to restart the car, but it would not start immediately. After several minutes, it restarted, and she drove back home, very shaken by the incident. I contacted Mercedes-Benz, and I was told this may be a “software issue.” However, given the seriousness of the situation, I strongly believe this requires urgent investigation. A vehicle unexpectedly shutting down on the freeway is a major safety hazard that could easily lead to a serious accident. I request an immediate and thorough safety inspection of this vehicle, as well as a clear explanation of the cause and corrective action. This issue is extremely dangerous, and I need assurance that the vehicle is safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11686759

Incident

Sep 9, 2025

I am reporting a serious safety concern involving the Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT tires currently mounted on my 2025 Mercedes‑Benz GLE 350 (VIN [XXX]), of which I am the first owner. I purchased this vehicle new from a Mercedes dealer. Upon beginning to drive the vehicle, I immediately experienced poor grip and traction, especially in wet road conditions and while cornering, leading to reduced handling stability that I believe poses a significant risk to safety. Despite reaching out multiple times to both Mercedes‑Benz USA Customer Care and my local Mercedes-Benz dealership, I have received no response, acknowledgment, or offer to inspect or remedy the issue. After investigating, I discovered that certain Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT tires are subject to NHTSA recall 25T006 due to missing DOT date codes (manufactured in week 05 of 2025, February 2–8, 2025) Tires involved in this recall lack the four‑digit production week/year identifier on the white‑lettered sidewall, violating FMVSS Standard 574 Goodyear will replace affected tires at no cost, including mounting and balancing, and dealers must render removed tires unusable before returning them My vehicle's factory‑equipped tires match the recall's size and product description (LT 275/65R18 LRE Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT), and the symptoms I am experiencing—especially in wet driving and cornering—align with compromised integrity or performance of noncompliant tires. Requested Actions: 1. Please confirm if my vehicle’s tires fall under recall 25T006, and require replacement. 2. I request assistance in securing a safety inspection and tire replacement, if applicable. 3. Please encourage Mercedes‑Benz USA or the dealer network to respond properly to customer safety inquiries without delay. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11677169

Incident

Jul 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the contact heard a loud sound coming from the rear end of vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the rearview camera was inoperable. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for further assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 800.

NHTSA ID

11647592

Incident

Mar 11, 2025

Mileage

800 mi

When driving on a quiet, straight road with no other cars anywhere nearby the vehicle suddenly slammed on the brakes until the car came to a complete stop. The seat belt pre-tensioners also activated and there were loud audible warning beeping and red "radar" images on the dashboard. My safety was not at risk in this instance however if the same thing happened while I was being followed then I'd be a risk from being hit from behind. I frequently travel on busy interstates and it scares me to think that this could happen again. The system also activated three times when backing out of my driveway, again nothing was around. I have taken the car to the dealer, Carlton Mercedes-Benz in Greenville, SC, twice and they have failed to find anything wrong with it so made no changes. This leaves me with little confidence in the vehicle. The dealer was not forthcoming about the details of what checks they actually did. Please see above for info on the other warnings etc. that activated during the event.

NHTSA ID

11645260

Incident

Feb 4, 2025

On [XXX] We were driving our 2025 Gle350 fourmatic west on [XXX] between [XXX] and [XXX] @ 7:30 pm, driving at 70 mph in the right lane the panoramic sunroof exploded into shards of glass and rained down on the driver and passenger, it sounded like a gun went off as the front moveable roof panel blew apart. The vehicle had approximately 650 miles on the odometer. Nothing struck the car, no foreign objects were found in the vehicle cabin amidst the 1,000s of shards of glass inside the car. Upon taking the vehicle to Mercedes Benz of Novi for service, their comments were that we must be mistaken and a rock must have struck the vehicles roof. We have filed a claim with AAA insurance INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11628735

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167, 465: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 290, 118, 243, 247: Software is still in development. This fault code does not cause a drivability concern and will clear itself within 2-3 key cycles. The vehicle can be released back to the customer.

Complaint Noise from front end attributable to steering gear. Cause During diagnostics of a front end noise, workshop is under the impression the noise is coming from the steering gear. Remedy Workshop diagnostics point to the steering gear as the root cause of the noise and the below LI's and items have been ruled out. • LI46.35-P-067339 - "Rattling or Humming Noise When Steering" • LI46.35-P-071461 - "Check Tie Rod Outer Joint of Steering Gear" • LI46.10-P-077391 - "Knocking Noise In The Area Of The Steering Gear or Steering Column Tube When Braking Or Moving Off; The Steering Wheel Can Also Be Felt To "Crack"" • If the noise is described as "clacking" or "knocking" and the thrust element in the steering rack has NOT been checked yet, please perform a check and subsequent adjustment, if necessary, as detailed in AR46.20-P-0601ME. If the above has been completed and the noise is still present, please continue with the below: • Video underneath the vehicle with clearly audible noise. • Video inside the vehicle with clearly audible noise. • Vehicle checked for history of collisions. • List of other checked components (suspension, drive line components, wheel bearings, etc...). • Check integrity of dust boots and dust boot clamps. Ensure no water has entered into the steering rack. • Along with the audible noise, does the feel/noise change through only a certain part of the steering arc sweep? • Provide the thrust element before and after readings. If the above is completed and no findings are noted, please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox.

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).

Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("- -"). • Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. • Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: • Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. • This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reasons for this concern: 1. Country code information stored incorrectly at a particular geographic latitude range. 2. Incorrect reference data when the vehicle is started and a GPS signal is not immediately available. Remedy Do not replace parts. Please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox but read the below carefully: • The vehicle must be exhibiting the concern as shown in the attachment videos. • The vehicle DOES NOT need to be at the dealer, nor does it need to be brought into the dealership. • If the geographic location is known, it is very important that it is provided. • Provide any pictures or videos, if available. A new software for the head unit is scheduled for tentative release in Q3 2026.

Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. Sound file attached for comparison. MUST match noise for proper diagnosis. NOTE: Steering functionality is not affected. Cause Contact area between wheel bearing and steering knuckle. See also: LI35.30-P-058566 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Rear) LI33.30-P-056665 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Front) LI40.10-P-059248 (Wheel cracking noise when cornering) Remedy 1. Perform Operation A and evaluate by testing vehicle. 2. If noise is still present after re-testing: • If 192/232 chassis, verify FIN is in the listed range below in "Operation B" and perform. • If not 192/232 chassis or vehicle is a 192/232 not in the listed FIN range, additional verifications of where the noise is coming from are needed. Use multiple channel NVH method to narrow down location. Verify the LI's listed above were completed or if there are other similar noises associated with the chassis (Example: 192/232 also has under panel noises and an associated LI). Operation A: 1. Clean contact surfaces of wheel bearing and steering knuckle with brake cleaner as seen in the attached pictures. NOTE: The front area of the wheel bearing and the seals must not come into contact with the cleaner, otherwise, the sealing rings will be damaged. 2. Clean threads of wheel bearing mounting. 3. Thinly coat contact surfaces of wheel bearing, steering knuckle, and axle mating face with Molykote (annular joint grease). See the attached steering knuckle and wheel hub pictures for reference. NOTE: Axle mating face greasing is also covered in LI35.30-P-058566 and LI33.30-P-056665. Operation B (Only applies to 192 and 232 in listed FIN range): Only affects vehicles up to FIN end number: • Model series 192: xxx xxx xx 002 876 • Model series 232: xxx xxx xx 022 312 1. Replace steering knuckle. 2. Wheel bearings do not need to be replaced.

Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Please do not replace any parts. The E505.9 software is released and available in XENTRY Q3 2026.