2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

VEHICLE: 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 VIN: [XXX] COMPONENT: Power train, automatic transmission DESCRIPTION: When the vehicle is placed in Park with the engine running, the vehicle experiences an intermittent jolting or lurching sensation approximately every 5 seconds, accompanied by an audible clicking sound. The jolting is most pronounced immediately after shifting from Reverse into Park, and gradually decreases in frequency after approximately one minute but does not fully stop. This occurs an estimated 50 percent of the time the vehicle is shifted into Park. This issue is separate from the known Eco Start/Stop roughness on GLE 350 models. This issue raises safety concerns. The owner is expecting a child and the unexpected repeated vehicle movement while in Park poses a risk when an infant car seat is installed. The jolting could also cause a driver to inadvertently release the brake or shift out of Park. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership for diagnosis on two separate occasions. The service team acknowledged that they have seen this problem before on other vehicles of the same model, but stated they were unable to replicate the issue during their inspections and do not have a known repair procedure. The vehicle remains under the manufacturer’s factory warranty, purchased March 2023. Other GLE 350 owners have reported identical symptoms across 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years on multiple forums. No fix has been identified by any dealership. No crash or injury has occurred. No warning lights are illuminated. Video evidence of the clicking sound has been captured.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11727827

Incident

Mar 29, 2026

Panel on roof between front windshield and panoramic roof completely shattered

NHTSA ID

11707039

Incident

Dec 24, 2025

When driving on an interstate going 55-70 mph and the cruise in on, the car cruise flashes randomly down to 15 or 20 mph and the car severely brakes. This is NOT because someone is in front of us on the highway. It does it when no one is in front of us. Sometimes there are cars behind us and this type of severe breaking is very dangerous when traveling at 70 mph. Cars behind us have had to slam on their breaks to avoid rear-ending us. I have taken the vehicle to Morgantown Mercedes Benz twice complaining about this issue. They cannot find the problem.

NHTSA ID

11706773

Incident

Dec 23, 2025

First incident on I5 around exit 186 9 car was cruise control was on. Speed was set at 65. Car was accelerating from 60 to 65 but all of a sudden it slams on the brakes when no car was in front from 60ish to 45. Almost caused the car in the back to hit us. Multiple incident of cruise control on and while automatic lane change it would hit the breaks mid lane change when no other car is present ( especially when the interstate is curving). Going i5 north express lane. Cruise control on there was dotted lines for left exit. Car would was pushed heavily by lane keep to the left. But the intent was to continue on i5 N. The push was a lot stronger than normal. Almost crashed into meridian

NHTSA ID

11690368

Incident

Sep 10, 2025

As I was driving, sunroof suddenly exploded. My screen was partially opened. The sunroof itself was closed. I did not observe anything to hit the car, I did not hear any road debris hit the car. The glass shattered inside the vehicle over myself/my person, also my passenger in the front passenger seat, who is my son. I was so startled and in shock, but able to pull over to a safe area. Glass shards were noted to be down my shirt and pants. Glass shards were noted to be in items that were in my car rear seat. Also on my child. We were able to remove the glass from our person with very minor knicks as expected when handling glass material. There was no warning regarding any component failures or warning lamps, no sounds from the road, and no observed debris hitting the vehicle. It was about 613pm on Tuesday December 31, 2024. The weather was clear, no rain or extreme temperatures. As soon as I was in a safe place, I placed call to Mercedes-Benz at 658p. I was advised to take vehicle to dealership to be inspected as soon as possible. I took the vehicle in at 730am on January 2, when my local dealership was open for business.

NHTSA ID

11633609

Incident

Dec 31, 2024

Cracked windshield. Manufacturer has not been able to supply a replacement for 4 months. Every time I ask for an ETA the day moves back a month. This is a safety concern for many affected drivers with no apparent solution from MBUSA.

NHTSA ID

11631635

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V880000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved loudly and there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The clicking remained for approximately 10-15 minutes while driving after starting the vehicle. The noise had become more persistent and would occur while driving at speeds of 45 MPH or higher. While coasting and attempting to accelerate the vehicle would shift roughly and jerk while shifting to first gear. The dealer was contacted and was unable to complete the recall remedy due to a lack of available parts. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 10,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11606858

Incident

Aug 6, 2024

Mileage

10,000 mi

The vehicle, while on (P)ark, will move forward on its own. The vehicle will move either millimiters at a time or up to a quarter inch in a single incident. These incidents are continuous in nature and can be duplicated by simply putting the vehicle in Park after driving it shortly after start. The vehicle has been taken in several times to the dealership, where the Service Director has claimed that they cannot replicate the issue. Mercedes Benz refuses to address the issue as the vehicle is not producing any fault codes. I have videos and photos of this issue occurring, the latest set taken the afternoon of Saturday, July 27, 2024 between 6:00 p.m. and 7 p.m. A passenger can feel and hear the vehicle move forward, but the dealership Service Department director claims that this was "normal". As to the best of my understanding and research, a vehicle on (P) should not move a single millimeter, much lech up to a quarter of an inch. It is my opinion that this poses not just a driveability issue but also a safety issue as there is no assurance that the vehicle will remain immobilize while in (P)ark.

NHTSA ID

11605282

Incident

Mar 4, 2023

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.

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.