2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC

On April 2, 2026, while driving at highway speed in heavy traffic, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of forward propulsion without warning. Engine RPMs increased with no corresponding acceleration, consistent with catastrophic transmission slipping. The vehicle could not maintain safe speed. I coasted to a stop and was able to limp at low speed to a parking area. The vehicle was towed to the selling dealer (Mercedes-Benz of Tysons Corner, Vienna, VA) by Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a broken propeller shaft inside the transmission requiring replacement. No root cause explanation has been provided. The vehicle had approximately 2,455 miles and was 45 days from the lease date of February 16, 2026. This vehicle uses the Mercedes-Benz 9G-TRONIC (725.0) 9-speed automatic transmission with 48V EQ Boost mild-hybrid system — the same platform and powertrain covered by NHTSA Recall 24V-118, which addressed transmission-related loss of propulsion in over 105,000 MY2020–2023 GLE 450 and GLS 450 vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11730660

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

The contact leased a 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an unknown warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The speed limit was displayed and was flashing. The contact turned off the feature, but the light continued to flash on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on two occasions, where an unknown diagnostic result was provided. The manufacturer was working on an update for the fix. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was mailed a letter, and a subject matter expert contacted and informed the contact that there would be a fix within the first quarter of the year. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11728321

Incident

Dec 17, 2025

While driving on a limited-access highway at 65 mph with cruise control engaged, the vehicle unexpectedly reduced speed to 50 mph without any driver input under steady traffic and road conditions. No braking was applied by the driver, and no warnings or alerts were displayed prior to or during the speed reduction. Separately, the vehicle’s displayed speed-limit information was unstable during highway driving. The display repeatedly changed between the correct posted speed limit, a blank display, and “---” under consistent conditions, without changes in roadway, signage, or map context. This behavior was observed multiple times and was captured on video recording. The unexpected reduction in speed created a safety risk due to loss of speed relative to surrounding traffic.

NHTSA ID

11712886

Incident

Nov 8, 2025

I am writing to lodge a complaint regarding my brand new vehicle, which has been in the shop for over a 3 months since its purchase on [XXX]. I picked up my 2026 Mercedes GLE 450 from Baker Mercedes Benz in Charleston, and it started malfunctioning about 20 minutes into the trip home. The following day I brought it into my local Mercedes dealership, Myrtle Beach Mercedes Benz, for inspection. The first available appointment was 10 days away, so I was unable to drive the vehicle for that period after the purchase. I brought the car in on October 10th, and a few hours later, I received a call stating that it was ready, and it was just an upgrade that needed to be installed. However, upon returning to the vehicle at the service department, I noticed the engine light was still illuminated. They were unable to diagnose the issue at that time. The dealership contacted me a week later, informing me that Mercedes was opening a case, and there was no estimated timeframe for resolution. In the meantime, I have been provided with a loaner vehicle that does not have a tow package, which was the primary reason for purchasing the vehicle. Consequently, I have been unable to boat or jet ski for the past 3 months. Our summer season has largely ended, and I have missed at least 60 days of pleasant boating weather due to my new Mercedes being inoperable since my delivery date of [XXX]. The vehicle was sent to a local body shop called Darrell's where it has sat for at least 10 weeks. The problem is that the main ground for all the electronics was never tightened or welded. It burnt all the carpet in the back and could have easily caught fire with my family inside . I smelled something burning on the way home but wasn't sure what it was. The auto body place said we were lucky that the vehicle didn't catch fire with my family inside. MBUSA is only willing to compensate me for the price I paid for the car but not for all the additional expenses incurred since inception. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

NHTSA ID

11706556

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

I was driving in I75 highway south in Michigan and heading to Ohio. I had around 70 mil/hr ish speed and was trying to pass a commercial truck. I Just turned on rear window wiper to clean it and once it started to work, the vehicle had a very hard brake for a couple seconds which the my seat belt pushed me hard to the seat to avoid of my head to go forward to windshield. Fortunately it was very quick brake and didn’t caused any accident, but I was worried that it was repeated again and had a lot stress until I arrived at the destination. I am guessing probably either park brake was engaged without touching it(software or part issue) or the sensors for front and emergency collisions had the bad function.

NHTSA ID

11705424

Incident

Dec 16, 2025

Complaint Noise from front end thought to be from steering gear. Cause During diagnostics of a front end noise, workshop is under the impression the noise is coming from the steering gear. Remedy If the root cause of the noise cannot be found and is seemingly from the steering rack, perform the below LI's and diagnostics. If they have been performed and the root cause still cannot be determined, a TIPS case must be opened to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment team prior to replacing the steering rack. • LI46.35‑P‑067339 ‑ "Rattling, Humming, Dry Sliding/Gravel 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"" • Remove boot clamps closest to steering gear housing on both left and right (as seen in "Steering Rack Boot Clamp Location"). Pull back boot and inspect for rust, broken end stops, water, or any other anomalies. Keep the boot clamps in case the rack is returned. • If the noise is described as "clacking" or "knocking" when moving the wheel back and forth in quick oscillations 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. • Remove sway bar links and see if noise persists. • Perform NVH time‑domain noise diagnosis pointing to the steering rack as the root cause. The TIPS case must contain the following: • Video underneath the vehicle with clearly audible noise while engine is running. • Video inside the vehicle with clearly audible noise while engine is running. • Vehicle checked for history of collisions. • Vehicle history checked for other noise complaints in the area. • List of other checked components (suspension, drive line components, wheel bearings, etc...). • 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.

Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to: ‑ Hitting the curb/posts with the front wheels. ‑ Driving over obstacles (e.g. pothole/ threshold/ speed bump/ gully) at an inappropriate speed. 2. Corrosion/ water ingress through a damaged boot (see attachment). ‑ Cracks (1) ‑ High pressure cleaner (2) ‑ Animal bite (3) See various examples listed in the attachments for examples of outside influence. Remedy Remove boot clamps closest to steering gear housing on both left and right (as seen in "Steering Rack Boot Clamp Location"). Pull back boot and inspect for rust, broken end stops, water, or any other anomalies. Replace electric steering. Note: Steering gears replaced due to outside influence or damage must not be claimed under warranty!

Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by double‑clicking on the button instead. This reduces the likelihood of the button being activated accidentally or unintentionally. The recoding can be carried out as follows: 1. Add SA Code O19 into VeDoc (O for Oscar, not "zero") • an XSS ticket may be necessary to add the SA code 2. Perform SCN coding of EIS N73 control unit 3. Deactivate the vehicle key (a successful deactivation is indicated by the LED lighting up 2x briefly and then 1x for a long period). 4. Place the vehicle key in the storage compartment on the key symbol and turn on the ignition. IMPORTANT: all other vehicle keys must be outside the recognition range of the vehicle when doing this! Perform steps 3 and 4 successively for all vehicle keys. Notes: 6th, 7th and 8th generation keys can be deactivated as follows: Up to modification year 22/1 by double clicking the "Lock button" As of modification year 22/1, by press and holding the “Lock button", then double‑click the “Unlock button" at the same time. On model series 167, the storage compartment with the key symbol is located in the armrest. The SCN coding from the EZS is only transferred correctly to the vehicle key under the following conditions: Only one vehicle key is located in the vehicle, this key has been deactivated and it is positioned on the marking in the storage compartment for the data transfer. The costs for this adaptation are to be borne by the customer. For the newer BR 174, 178, 244, 248, 520, and 540, a software update must be initiated, as there is no way to perform SCN coding.

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 Update head unit software to latest version and the re‑check function in the same location. If vehicle is still exhibiting one of the symptoms as described exactly as in the complaint section or as shown in the video attachments, open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox with the following: • Video of the concern. • Exact location (latitude and longitude is best)

Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause Various root causes Remedy See attached diagnostic guide.

Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Information: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, after completing diagnosis, select the damage code corresponding to the component part that caused the problem. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10-P-067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!