Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 89 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 89 · page 1 of 4
I keep getting coolant level low. I add coolant fluid into the tank and the warning message comes up again. I see no leaks under my vehicle so not sure if there’s a leak inside the tank itself or air leak somewhere but I’ve gotten that warning message about 10 or more times. Also as im driving the blind spot sensor just randomly goes off without a car or anything being next to me.
The a/c unit failed and is available for inspection upon request. Being in an over-heated car can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. I was nauseous and dizzy while driving, putting myself and my passengers at risk. Upon taking my car to a independent service dealer, it was revealed that their is a leak and the evaporator must be replaced. It has not been inspected by a Mercedes dealer yet. No warning messages.
Water pool in passenger side of vehicle all into carpet and glovebox area
The engine in my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 experienced catastrophic internal failure while driving. No warning lights or check engine indicators came on. Prior to failure, the vehicle began making a loud metallic knocking/rattling sound during acceleration, similar to “rocks shaking in a box.” Shortly afterward, the engine suddenly stalled while driving and would no longer run. The vehicle still had electrical power but the engine would not restart. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes-Benz of Las Vegas for inspection. The dealer diagnosed the engine as seized and documented metal debris in the oil filter and oil/metal debris underneath the vehicle, indicating catastrophic internal engine damage. The dealer stated that the engine replacement was required.The failed engine and vehicle are currently located at Mercedes-Benz of Las Vegas and are available for inspection upon request.The vehicle stalled unexpectedly while being driven on a public roadway, causing sudden loss of engine power and creating a potentially dangerous traffic situation. The violent shaking and knocking before failure also caused concern that the vehicle could lose control or stop operating completely in traffic, which it ultimately did. A sudden engine seizure and stall while driving creates a significant safety hazard because the driver may lose the ability to accelerate, maneuver safely, or clear traffic. This could increase the risk of collision, especially at highway speeds or in heavy traffic conditions. Mercedes-Benz of Las Vegas inspected the vehicle and confirmed catastrophic engine failure. The dealer documented that the engine was seized and that metal debris was found in the oil filter and underneath the vehicle. The dealer advised that the engine required replacement and provided an estimated repair cost exceeding $27,000. The dealer has not yet identified the root cause of the failure. No dashboard warning lights, oil pressure warnings, or check engine lights illuminated.
To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 and respectfully requesting review of a serious infotainment and electronic system failure that occurred at approximately 49,000 miles. Prior to the failure of the MBUX infotainment system, the vehicle began exhibiting abnormal electrical behavior. On multiple occasions, the right headlight remained illuminated even after the vehicle had been completely turned off and locked. The only temporary way to resolve this was to restart the vehicle and shut it down again. Shortly afterward, the vehicle displayed warnings indicating that the 12V battery was very low and required charging. Soon after these electrical issues appeared, the MBUX infotainment system became stuck on the Mercedes-Benz startup logo screen and has remained nonfunctional since. Although the backup camera still partially functions, the infotainment system itself will not boot properly or operate normally. The authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership documented the following diagnostic fault codes: • B14D913 – Internal hard disk malfunction/open circuit • B14F900 – Internal hard disk full According to the dealership service report, guided tests, MOST ring reset procedures, and hard resets of the control unit were all performed without resolving the issue. The dealership ultimately recommended complete replacement of the MBUX head unit at a very significant cost. This situation is especially concerning because the vehicle has relatively low mileage, has been properly maintained, and recently underwent Service B and 12V battery replacement through an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership immediately after the battery warning appeared. A major infotainment head unit/internal storage failure at this mileage is not something we reasonably expected from a luxury vehicle. While researching this issue further, I discovered numerous online reports from other Mercedes-Benz owners — particularly owners of 2020–2023 GLE models —
We were traveling to our son’s college graduation, driving on a rural interstate and suddenly all of the vehicle’s warning lights lit on the dash and the car started losing, and then completely lost power. The car was no longer operational. We were stranded on the roadside of a remote but busy 2-lane interstate for 2 hours until a tow truck could arrive and take the car to the closest car repair shop which was 45 minutes away. This was an incredibly dangerous situation and we were fortunate to be alongside the shoulder, although we were still close to the tractor trailers and cars on the interstate. (Because we were stranded in such a remote place, we had no other options to get to our son’s graduation. We were unable to attend because of this.) The rural repair shop the car was initially towed to could not determine the problem. A few days later we found a 2nd tow truck that agreed to bring the vehicle several hundreds of miles back to our home city. This car is a 2020 model, and has around 55,000 miles. It has been meticulously maintained by a certified Mercedes mechanic. There were no issues with the car and no indication that there might be a problem. Our mechanic has thoroughly inspected the vehicle and said that the engine has completely seized and the only option is to replace it. We have no idea why this happened. If requested, the vehicle is available for inspection.
I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 due to what appears to be a significant air conditioning refrigerant leak. The vehicle rapidly loses refrigerant shortly after being recharged. When the system is operating, a loud seeping/hissing sound can be heard from the HVAC system area, followed by complete loss of cold air within a very short period of time. This issue appears to indicate a major refrigerant system failure and raises concerns about potential defects in the evaporator, condenser, hoses, or related AC components. The leak rate is excessive and ongoing. I am concerned this may be a broader manufacturing defect impacting other Mercedes GLE vehicles. The vehicle has been properly maintained, and the failure occurred under normal operating conditions. Given the frequency of similar complaints online involving Mercedes HVAC refrigerant leaks and evaporator failures, I believe this issue warrants investigation for a potential recall or manufacturer accountability. The failure impacts driver and passenger comfort and visibility in humid or high-temperature conditions due to inability to properly defog windows. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this issue for potential safety and defect trends affecting the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE platform.
Transmission keeps going into neutral when you put into drive or reverse
The glass between windshield and panoramic sunroof has 2 cracks starting on the drivers side and continuing all the way across to the passenger side. we dont recall an objects hitting the glass.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the sunroof. The sunroof cover was not opened. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the sunroof glass had shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Cooling system failure due to cracked coolant line beneath intake manifold at 57,000 miles. Part # 264-200-42-01. Sudden coolant loss can cause engine overheating and potential engine stall while driving, posing safety risks. The original part was plastic and has been superseded by manufacturer to metal, suggesting design inadequacy. This was confirmed by Mercedes Benz dealership and also by MB USA. There have been multiple reports by other owners online, indicating this has been a common problem on a 2020 GLE 350. There was also an article in Jan 2022 stating that Mercedes had sent a letter to 800,000 owners informing them of a defect, but no there was no recall due to part shortage. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2022/01/05/648140.htm Yes, dealership has diagnosed it and confirmed this is the problem. There was a warning lamp/message stating low coolant level, which prompted me to take the vehicle to the dealership. Car has been serviced regularly at the Mercedes dealership. Strong risk of overheating.
After starting my vehicle and placing it into drive, a warning message appeared on the dashboard stating, “Vehicle warning Do not continue to drive,” indicating that the vehicle would be unable to move forward or in reverse. Immediately following the warning, the vehicle lost all ability to move in either direction while other vehicles were approaching, creating a hazardous situation placing my safety at risk. I was required to keep my foot on the brake and ultimately place the vehicle in the park position. The vehicle was subsequently towed to the dealership. Following diagnostic testing, the dealership confirmed a transmission solenoid valve fault in the control unit and recommended replacement of the transmission valve body and park pawl solenoid, along with a transmission service. The condition was confirmed by the dealership, and there were no warning messages, indicator lights, or symptoms prior to the sudden failure.
My 2020 GLE 350 first displayed a problem with left indicator on front left hand head lamp. I took an appointment with my Mercedes dealer for repair. Then it started showing all kinds of safety problems on the screen -like blind spot monitoring, collision warning etc not working. I parked it in my garage, shut off the engine, locked it and in a couple minutes, it started a blower like sound. I called Mercedes service center and described the problem. They sent a tow truck. While waiting for tow truck, the blower would automatically start every 3 to 4 minutes in a standing, switched off car which can be very dangerous. After diagnostics the authorized service center found the root cause to be a worn out seal which let condensation in the lamp assembly and the water entered in the electrical module. I have taken up the issue with Mercedes corporate. While they are investigating, I wanted to file this complaint so that if there are similar complaints in this model, it may be a manufacturing defect that needs a recall to fix the bad sealing
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle was idling low. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to a NHTSA recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Cylinder head is defective and needs replacing. It is at the dealer for service at the tune of $7700. The car will not accelerate and sounds like it is in the wrong gear. Upon searching the Internet it seems like there are tons as in 1000’s of 2020, 2021 and 2023 Mercedes GLE 350s all having the same problem. There should be a recall as most cars are seeing this problem at 20,000 to 30,000 miles and at times when it is replaced, it turns around and happens again. Starting misfiring in October and continued to get worse.
The main multimedia screen in the car has failed and is malfunctioning. Rear view parking camera only works some of the time. No access to temperature control. No access to navigation. No access to multimedia. The lack of functioning camera system has put myself and others at risk during parking and driving. This has been reported as a recall in the past (NHTSA 21V354, MBUSA Campaign 2021080009) and has been reportedly completed. My concern is that this repair/fix dis not sufficiently address the root of this issue and now the problem has returned.
Engine Cylinder Head Failure on CPO Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Vehicle Information: •Make: Mercedes-Benz •Model: GLE 350 •Year: 2020 •Mileage at time of issue: 90,000 Summary of Complaint: The vehicle experienced a premature cylinder head failure, resulting in significant engine damage and repair costs. There were no prior warning lights or diagnostic codes indicating a problem before the failure occurred. The malfunction caused sudden performance issues, including rough idling, misfiring, and loss of power. Details of the Incident: While operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions, the engine began to run roughly and lost power unexpectedly. Diagnostic testing revealed that the cylinder head had failed, which appears to be a mechanical or manufacturing defect rather than wear and tear. The repair estimate from the dealership was approximately $8,900, which is disproportionately high for a vehicle of this age and mileage. Safety Concerns: This type of failure could lead to sudden engine shutdown or loss of power while driving, posing a safety risk to occupants and other drivers on the road. Manufacturer Case Reference: This issue has also been reported to Mercedes-Benz under case number 18281587. Additional Information: After research, it appears that other Mercedes-Benz GLE owners have reported similar issues related to engine component failures, suggesting this may be a broader quality or manufacturing issue that warrants investigation. Requested Action: Requesting that NHTSA investigate potential defects in the engine or cylinder head assembly for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 and determine whether a recall or service bulletin is appropriate.
Wire harness need to be replaces car is under 100k miles and the same issue has been recalled cla250 gla models with the same engine. Current model GLE is not under recall but has the same issue with the electrical issue “oil pump vavle connector fault” which cause engine light .
I am writing to express serious concern regarding a potentially dangerous mechanical issue with my Mercedes GLE 350. The vehicle has experienced a complete cylinder head failure, requiring an estimated $7,000 repair. Both an independent service center and an authorized Mercedes service center have confirmed this diagnosis. During the inspection process, Mercedes conducted two diagnostic tests—one costing $250 and a second costing $700—before determining that the cylinder head must be replaced. I was informed by the Mercedes service advisor that the company is aware this issue has affected other GLE 350 vehicles; however, no recall has been issued to date. This failure presents a significant safety risk. The vehicle suddenly loses power without warning, and acceleration becomes severely limited, often not exceeding 20–40 mph even when pressing the accelerator fully. The check engine light illuminates at the time of power loss, leaving the driver unable to maintain safe highway speeds or merge with traffic—posing a serious hazard to both the driver and others on the road. Given that this appears to be a known issue, I am requesting immediate review and investigation by Mercedes-Benz. A recall or formal service campaign should be considered to address this potentially dangerous defect and to ensure the safety of all affected drivers. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Air bag warning light
My 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 experienced a complete engine seizure at approximately 60,000 miles without any warning signs. The vehicle shut down and would not restart. The engine is completely inoperable. I am aware of recalls involving engine stalling and fuel system issues in this model, and I believe this may be related to a broader defect. Mercedes-Benz has not offered support as of this writing.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that the vehicle started to display failures with the air conditioning system blowing hot air. The vehicle was taken for inspection at a local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures due to water entering the footwells, with the check engine warning light remaining illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the air conditioning was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
The vehicle recently experienced a cylinder head failure, confirmed by a diagnotic code P0302 (Misfire in cylinder 2), resulting in rough idling, reduced power, and potential safety risks during opreration. This issue appears to be a known defect in the M264 engine, as evidenced by similar complains from owners of GLE 350, GLC 300, and other models on forums like [XXX] and [XXX] . The failure occurred just beyond the standard 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, and Mercedes-Benz USA denied my request for a goodwill repair despite acknowledging similar issues in related models under extended warranties. Repair costs are estimated $8,000 to $13,500. I believe this defect warrants investigation due to its prevalence and potential to cause sudden power loss, which could lead to hazardous driving conditions. I urge NHTSA to investigate the M264 engine in the 2020 GLE 350 for a possible recall to protect owners and ensure safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Transmission Control Module / Valve Body failure occurred at 44,000 miles
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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