2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

While driving on the highway on three separate occasions the blind spot warning will pop up and show as inoperative, next the active break assist warning flashes as inoperative, and then the entire vehicle shows as inoperative and loses all acceleration and breaks down. This has happened three times. Stayed over night at the dealership they “drove it for 70 miles” it didn’t happen to them. They released the truck back to me saying it was perfectly fine. A day later it happened again while on the highway. Highly unsafe!

NHTSA ID

11746371

Incident

Jun 20, 2026

At approximately 87,000 miles, my 2021 GLE350 (M264 2.0T engine) experienced a severe engine misfire resulting in a flashing check engine light, rough idle, engine shaking, significant loss of power, and near-stall condition. The vehicle was taken to Speedhaus Automotive (Newbury Park, CA) where all four ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced. Total repair cost was approximately $635. This failure pattern is consistent with the documented M264 exhaust valve seat wear issue acknowledged by Mercedes-Benz technicians. A Mercedes dealer service report on an identical 2021 GLE350 explicitly states: "COMMON ISSUE FOR EXHAUST VALVE SEATS TO WEAR — KNOWN ISSUE WITH 260 AND 264 MOTORS." Mercedes-Benz has extended the warranty on the M260 engine (transverse variant) for this identical failure mode but has not extended it for the longitudinally-mounted M264 despite the same defect being present. Repair costs for full cylinder head failure on the M264 are being quoted at $6,000–$13,000. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether a safety recall is warranted for the M264 engine across all affected GLE350, GLC300, C300, and E350 vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11741934

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 W. APROX: 30,000 MILES. PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO, WHEN IT HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN DRIVING AT TIMES THE PASSENGER REAR SHOCK WILL START MAKING SQEAKING / CREAKING NOISES. BEEN LIKE THIS FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR NOW. I DONT DRIVE THE VEHICLE VERY OFTEN, BUT WHEN I DO DRIVE IT IT IRRITATES ME. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE SHOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS, NO ABNORMAL RIDE QUALITY, ETC.

NHTSA ID

11740482

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

The contact owned a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. The contact stated that warm air was blowing from the A/C unit while activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that a leak had caused the A/C unit failure. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the HVAC system was inoperable and an estimate for the repair was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The manufacturer denied responsibility for the failure but offered a monetary credit towards the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later traded the vehicle due to the A/C unit failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11732682

Incident

Mar 21, 2026

Mileage

66,000 mi

While driving at night all error light showed up. I slowed down to the side of the road and while I was slowing down the engine died. I tried to start the car which worked but when I pressed the gas the engine died again. Tried it two more times with the same results. Then turned the car and waited a bit with the engine running. slowly started driving and was able to get home driving 20 mph. The next day took it to a shop that said that the battery was weak and they replaced the battery. Drove out of the shop and started hearing nosies from the engine. Immediately came back and was advised to take it to the dealer. Towed it to the dealer that checked it and said that they found metal in the oil filter and that I need to install a new engine. I read online and found many complains about the same engine issue with 2021 Mercedes GLE 350. Mercedes refuses to take responsibility that they built a faulty engine.

NHTSA ID

11719430

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

The vehicle has repeatedly experienced a sudden loss of acceleration, entering a reduced-power state while driving. Most recently, this occurred less than one week after I was advised that the issue had been fully resolved through a relay replacement. Critically, these incidents have occurred while my [XXX] child was in the vehicle, creating an unsafe and unacceptable situation. Below is a summary of the work that was done to resolve the safety concern. October: Drivetrain/Powertrain control unit internal fault Replacement of gateway/powertrain control module Wiring, grounding, and software inspections November: Active Brake Assist, ESP, and voltage supply faults Failure of both rear wheel speed sensors Replacement of left and right rear wheel speed sensors December: Dealership identified a faulty relay as the root cause Relay replaced and vehicle returned to service January, the vehicle again lost acceleration. And now, again in February. The same loss in acceleration incident. At this point, the vehicle has demonstrated a pattern of unresolved, safety-critical electrical failures. Given the repeated nature of the issue, the prior replacement of major components, and the involvement of braking and drivetrain systems, I no longer feel confident that additional part replacement without corporate oversight will result in a safe or permanent resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11718456

Incident

Feb 13, 2026

This is regarding a 2021 gle 350. The car was parked overnight and in the morning was unable to start or crank . I had to tow the vehicle to the service center that has maintained the car since purchased date and they told Me there’s a problem with the engine and I will need a new engine costing $28,000 dollars., the car has 42,000 miles and has an impeccable service history with Mercedes Benz. They did not tell me any specific engine part that’s faulty. There was no warning lights, check engine lights. Had I been driving this car and it happened it could have been catastrophic.

NHTSA ID

11717456

Incident

Jan 25, 2026

There is a known issue with the Cylinder Heads on specific models of Mercedes vehicles. Symptoms of M264 Cylinder Head Failure If your GLE 350 is experiencing these symptoms, it may be covered under the extension: Check Engine Light (MIL): Often triggered by misfire codes. Rough Idle: Noticeable shaking or uneven idling when stopped. Loss of Power: Potential stalling or significant power reduction during acceleration. Low Compression: Diagnostic tests often reveal low pressure in one or more cylinders. This is not being addressed my Mercedes USA where Mercedes Canada has offered an extended warranty. Using social media I have comprised a list of over a hundred impacted owners. Many more exist. What this does is cost catastrophic failure of the engine leaving the driver stranded in whatever lanes they were traveling in. I am disabled and for me this created a life threatening situation. When reaching out to MBUSA the answer is simply "not warranty exists" where MB Canada has extended the warranty to an additional 15k miles from notice. My engine blew. The replacement cost is near $20,000 dollars. The mileage on my engine was 65k. Many others are impacted and a class action lawsuit is the only other course of action it seems. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11709741

Incident

Nov 6, 2025

This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage detection (DMTL) in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV II) and 15 years/150,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV III), whichever occurs first, for the following condition: •Under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (‘MIL’).

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.

Complaint Hand detection system – malfunction / vehicles with code 266 Fault message in instrument cluster: "Active Emergency Stop Assist not available" "Active Lane Keeping Assist not available" "Active steering assist not available" Cause Possible causes: Hand detection mat, hand detection control unit, contacts, and electrical feed line. Remedy In the event of a customer complaint and fault code in IDC control unit: U186B29 in IDC223 or fault code U0429E0, U042941, U042929, U042902, U0429E1 in IDC213 or fault code in HOSWD control unit: B1E7614 Check: Please do not replace the HOSWD control unit. Please flash the new SW and perform the SCN coding for the HOSWD control unit (N179/1) (available from July 2026). The software can be flashed onto all HOSWD213 with HW number A0009011522 and all HOSWD223 with HW number A0009011422. Please also flash the SW for the IDC control unit (N62/4), if possible (only applies to HOSWD223). Erase fault memory Remedy: Turn on the ignition or start the engine without touching the steering wheel. If, after 10 seconds without touching the steering wheel, one of the three fault messages appears on the instrument cluster: Check the contacts and feed lines in the steering wheel by means of a visual inspection for damage, crimp connections, loose connections, etc. (example in picture 2 and 3). If there is visible damage -> replace the steering wheel electronics or the feed lines. If there is not any visible damage -> replace the steering wheel rim. If a yellow message does not appear on the instrument cluster within 10 seconds: Grasp the steering wheel fully with both hands, including the chrome molding at the 6 o'clock position (see picture 1). If the fault is triggered by grasping the steering wheel rim or pressing the clip at the 6 o'clock position, check the contacts and feed lines in the steering wheel by means of a visual inspection for damage, kinked connections, loose connections, etc. (example in picture 2 and 3). Check the ground connections (screw connections and cables to the steering wheel rim); if necessary, retighten the screws/bolts and check for corrosion (picture 4). If there is visible damage -> replace the steering wheel electronics or the feed lines. If there is not any visible damage: Replace the steering wheel rim. Please do not replace the HOSWD control unit. A TIPS case should be created if fault profile is unclear. In the event of a customer complaint and a further fault code in HOSWD: B1E7713: Check the ground connections (screw connections and cables to the steering wheel rim); if necessary, retighten the screws/bolts and check for corrosion (picture 4). B1F1F04: Check the control unit of the hand detection system; if necessary, replace this with the control unit from a donor vehicle (make sure that the hardware part numbers are identical).

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.