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2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
8
Latest Apr 10, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 50 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while opening the door, a cracked fuel injector was spraying gasoline. When the door handle was pulled, an aftermarket module ignited the fuel, causing an explosion and heavy smoke from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer previously for the same issue, but the dealer dismissed the information and returned the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, the failure reoccurred and was recorded. The vehicle had been at the dealer for two months, and the dealer blamed the failure on an aftermarket part, even though the dealer had installed the parts. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel injector failure and was associated with the aftermarket parts that were installed by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

NHTSA ID
11730479
Incident
Jan 26, 2026
Mileage
133,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while accelerating and depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was scanned, and the dealer retrieved DTC code: P04200. The contact was informed that the passenger side catalytic converter had failed, causing the Oxygen sensor to run lean. The contact stated that upon further investigation, the failure was linked to Emission Service Campaign: 2022080005; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11617254
Incident
Jul 17, 2024
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2024

Reporting an issue with 2016 GLE 350 4Matic - 78000 Mileage - Intake Air System Leak - Code P007900 Symptoms: High pitched Whistling noise coming from Engine Impact: Unsafe drivability; safely hazard Defective Part Replaced: Crank case Valve Assembly Customer Expectation: Due to the nature, Mercedes, the car manufacturer should offer an Emission Extended Warranty on this part. The repair expense should be reimbursed by Mercedes, the car manufacturer due to the nature of this issue.

NHTSA ID
11615571
Incident
Sep 6, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 9, 2024

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID
11607583
Incident
Dec 1, 2023
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The console had overheated. The engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that cylinder numbers 1, 2, and 3 was misfiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ID
11579256
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
Mileage
118,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 13, 2023
Fire reported

We were driving in the street and just suddenly the front of the car was on fire. We stopped the car and we had almost no time to get out because the flames got very big in just minutes. Good thing the doors weren't locked because we safely got out of the car. This incident happened in rush hour and there were lots of cars around us. This put not just the passengers in our car but other people around us in danger. We contacted Mercedes-Benz but they declined out claim and refused to investigate into this issue. Please help us hold Mercedes-Benz accountable.

NHTSA ID
11521871
Incident
Nov 8, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated a week later the vehicle began to hesitate and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the coil pack to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA ID
11509248
Incident
Feb 23, 2023
Mileage
43,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2018

OUR 2016 MERCEDES GLE350 4MATIC SUV FIRST HAD PROBLEM ON OCT 11. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN MY WIFE WAS TURNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. SHE WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION FOR ABOUT 3 MINS AND WAS ABLE TO START AND DRIVE TO A RESTAURANT WHERE IT CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START ANYMORE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO RBM OF ALPHARETTA. THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THEM. MY WIFE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE OCTOBER 19TH BECAUSE WE WERE TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGED SINCE UNTIL OCTOBER 26 WHERE MY WIFE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN WHEN PICKING UP OUR SON AT THE LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE TURNING OUT OF THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFE HAZARD. WHAT IF A SEMI-TRUCK WAS CROSSING THE INTERSECTION, THEY WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP IN TIME? I HAVE READ MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE ON THIS SITE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AGAIN WE HAD IT TOWED TO RBM OF ALPHARETTA AND NOW THEY ARE STATING THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL CONTROL SENSOR IS LOCATED. MERCEDES TECHNICIANS ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IN THAT AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE NEVER HAVE WATER LEAKAGE IN ANY AREA OF THIS VEHICLE AND THEY WERE THE LAST TO WASH THE VEHICLE. IF THIS WAS THE CASE, WHY WASN'T THIS BROUGHT UP WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED. JUST BY USING DEDUCTIVE REASONING, NONE OF THIS MAKE ANY SENSE. MERCEDES IS A PREMIUM BRAND. SOMETHING SIMPLE AS WEATHER STRIPPING LAST LONGER THAN 2 YEARS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. A BRAND LIKE MERCEDES NEED TO BE HONEST AND HAVE INTEGRITY TO KEEP TRUST AND LOYALTY WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ID
11144190
Incident
Oct 11, 2018
Mileage
4 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .