2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Fuel system Problems

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

This has previously been reported, but NHTSA email indicated I needed to file formal complaint. Fuel injector(s) leaked while vehicle parked overnight in driveway. ECU detected fuel and subsequent ignition/spark caused "explosion' blowing out engine intake manifold (appx 50-75 pieces found). All 6 injectors and intake manifold required replacement. Mercedes Benz does have recall notification for failed/leaking fuel injectors, which includes both my model, and model year- but has claimed my VIN is not covered. MB recall campaign # 2022030003, dated 04/22/2022. I have retained engine intake manifold (main piece) for inspection. Fuel injectors were returned to MB. Safety risk is relatively obvious due to "explosion" and potential fire. Independent service agency (German Motors, Lakewood, CO- in business for over 25 years as MB only repair agency) diagnosed and performed repairs. Further, they informed me that in the investigation, they an other independent repair agencies/shops have in fact seen this before. No warnings, lights, or other symptoms were evident prior to injectors leaking.

NHTSA ID

11644620

Incident

Feb 10, 2025

Vehicle sitting in driveway. Fuel injector leakage and resultant engine control unit detecting fuel set off spark which resulted in explosion under hood. Completely destroyed engine intake manifold (over 100 pieces found), and requires all (6) new fuel injectors. Due to core return value, I will NOT be keeping injectors, but they have been inspected by certified mechanic where repairs are being done. Safety/risk is obvious- fire danger, explosion danger, etc. Vehicle was towed to German Motors, Lakewood CO. for repair. No warning indicators, no lights. Mechanics did inform me that this issue has been seen on other vehicles. Network of MB mechanics have been aware. MB USA is also aware of fuel injector leakage issues, and have issued a Safety & Emissions Recall Campaign (# 2022030003, dated 8/22/2022) for this model year and vehicle model type (GLE). MB USA however asserts that my specific VIN is not included in recall- but offers no reason. Currently, due to MB inability to provide replacement parts (engine intake manifold unavailable until Sept. 2025!), vehicle is still in repair facility. Invoices and write up will be available after repairs completed (using reclaimed intake manifold along with new injectors).

NHTSA ID

11643433

Incident

Feb 13, 2025

car has caught on fire due to (as diagnosed by certified MB mechanic) leaking from fuel injector(s). Issue is known to many MB mechanics. Issue DOES have a recall for other (non GLE350) models in this same year (2016). Request recall issued! Request assistance with having MB warranty/repair problem

NHTSA ID

11642591

Incident

Feb 12, 2025

Car was running normally then check engine light illuminated and car shut off. Was able to coast to roadside. Car would not restart. Diagnosed by professional authorized Mercedes repair shop as fuel injector failure. No parts available after the repair for inspection. Because of shut off while being driven in busy traffic, I was at serious risk of a different vehicle hitting my vehicle. Also emergency brake would not disengage since car would not start so could not be pushed further off the road.

NHTSA ID

11616686

Incident

Sep 20, 2024

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11607583

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

I own a 2016 Mercedes GLE350 that was repaired under a safety recall involving failure of a fuel pump due to water intrusion into the spare wheel well. Mercedes Benz "fixed" the car under the safety recall however, several months later, my vehicle experienced the same exact issue - water intrusion entered the rear wheel well causing the fuel system to fail. Mercedes Benz currently has my vehicle and cannot locate the water leak (they are saying it is in the hatch area of my car). They are currently trying to charge me $890 to find the leak. However, the original safety recall on this vehicle states, "the cause of the defect may vary due to a development deviation in combination with production tolerances and possible customer influences when loading and unloading items from the rear hatch. Each cause could lead to a different issue and water intrusion. Therefore, the tightness in the rear area might not meet specifications." I understand that my vehicle is not the first to experience this issue and I believe this is a defect with this make/model/year. I am hopeful this will be looked into further as I believe this issue goes past the recall. I should not be required to pay for this and my safety should not be compromised due to this.

NHTSA ID

11578145

Incident

Mar 14, 2024

Engine light on dashboard turned on in beginning of Feb 2024 … bought vehicle to dealer for assessment … was told right side catalytic converter has malfunctioned and will need to be replaced … vehicle has about 66,000 miles and it was a 2016 vehicle … apparently warrantly had expired in Nov 2023 … this does not seem right. Also, there are no right side catalystic converter available nationwide (not from Mercedes Benz manufacturer or off market). Wonder if this is a widespread issue … would like advisement.

NHTSA ID

11574826

Incident

Feb 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown module needed to be replaced; however, no repair was completed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown module was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that after a rainstorm there was water in the spare tire wheel well. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where unknown repairs were completed. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,831.

NHTSA ID

11509527

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

Mileage

59,831 mi

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

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the dealer was notified prior to the failure and the contact was informed that no appointments were available for another 6 weeks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning; however, the contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at normal speeds, the vehicle stalled. Several warning lights then illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that an appointment could be scheduled 6 weeks away. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11508864

Incident

Feb 24, 2023

Mileage

80,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly lose motive power and stall. Eventually, the vehicle could not be restarted and was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of water intrusion into the trunk space of the vehicle which caused the fuel pump and other parts of the vehicle to become damaged and eventually failed. The contact indicated that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V995000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ID

11506671

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Mileage

87,000 mi

Fuel injection system causing stalling on the road

NHTSA ID

11440786

Incident

Sep 14, 2021

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

DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT. WHILE CAR WAS STOPPED, AND THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK', WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE CAR VIOLENTLY JUMPED FORWARD TWO TIMES, AT AN EXTREME SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TRANSMISSION DISPLAY (P, R, N, D) WAS FLASHING AND VEHICLE CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND CHILD.

NHTSA ID

10925662

Incident

Nov 12, 2016

Mileage

10,000 mi