2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain after purchasing the vehicle brand new, the windshield wipers failed to clean the windshield as needed while moving downward, creating reduced visibility of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two occasions. The dealer informed the contact that during the windshield's downward movement, water was pulled back onto the windshield from the A-pillars. The dealer advised the contact that it was a windshield wiper factory design defect and no technical remedy had been provided by the manufacturer currently. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 0.

NHTSA ID

11643854

Incident

Jul 20, 2024

On the 2024 Mercedes GLE 350, the speedometer/tachometer lighting does not dim to a safe or comfortable level during night driving. The dimmer switch functions between two levels of "bright and brighter" which affects night vision and makes it near impossible to see down the road. The lighting was tested by a Mercedes technician during the day, against another 2024 Mercedes. Mercedes corporate requested we schedule another appointment? which is on 20 DEC 24. We are requesting they use a "light meter/lux meter/illuminance meter" to determine the lumens per square inch or a photometer to measure the light intensity.

NHTSA ID

11631436

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the sunroof shattered without impact. The contact merged to the side of the road and immediately called 9.1.1. No injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not needed. The contact was giving a police service number. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

NHTSA ID

11615939

Incident

Sep 22, 2024

Mileage

12,000 mi

Hello, I am writing to inform the possible defective design of Mercedes Benz GLE 350 model. I had purchased new 2024, Mercedes Benz in September 2023. There is a issue with loud noise coming from back of car due to camera shutter opening and closing for no reason when car reaches under 16 miles/hour speed. This is very distracting besides being annoying as well. Camera shutter also makes loud noise when parking and reversing the car. There is a genuine issue with defective design of camera system located in trunk door in GLE 350. I Many other customers have expressed similar concerns online. I took my car to local dealer twice but told that this is a normal feature of car. I wrote several times to Mercedes Benz USA but company did not show any interest in looking at the issue. Large number of customers on line also have written up about this annoying features in many Mercedes Models. I am not sure if this right place to write this complaint. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11589868

Incident

May 21, 2024

Traffic Sign Assist does not display road signs or Speed Limit signs after purchasing $300 option

NHTSA ID

11586214

Incident

Apr 25, 2024

Low coolant warning light came on while driving. Parked car in garage and found engine coolant all over garage floor. Contacted dealer, topped off coolant per conversation with service advisor and drove car to dealership. Dealer found that a rock had entered through one of the grille openings and damaged the front radiator. Estimate of repairs was $2,037 which Mercedes offered to cover $1,000 of the repair. Concern is that this may very well happen again due to the design of the grille.

NHTSA ID

11571898

Incident

Feb 11, 2024

The glass pane between my windshield and my dual-pane panoramic sunroof exploded while parked in my garage in the middle of the night. This car is not even 2 months old yet, has never been damaged and could have killed me had it randomly exploded while I was driving.

NHTSA ID

11543713

Incident

Sep 10, 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.