2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhesive, site preparation, and installation of a replacement panel with new adhesive.The consumer complaints that prompted the opening of PE21-001 all described detachments of front roof panels that had been replaced after the vehicle was put into service.Mercedes' internal investigation identified a broader scope of affected vehicles (2014-2020 CLA, GLA, C, S, GLC, and GLE class) and found the following potential service procedure- related causes of front roof panel detachments:- Improper surface pretreatments such as the use of the wrong primer or cleaner or scoring of the surface; or - Use of the incorrect adhesive.These conditions lead to a front roof panel bond that, even if sound at the time of repair, cannot maintain its strength over time and environmental exposure.Mercedes updated its service and parts ordering systems to reinforce the proper use of specified kits and procedures via webinars, shop foreman meetings, and explicit reference to the risks incurred by diverging from the repair procedures. Mercedes is also furnishing parts ordering assistance, and will hold dealerships accountable for improper repairs.ODI's analysis of the ten complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and MBUSA's complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE21-001 identified a total of 57 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which the front roof panel detached from the vehicle while in motion. Included within the 57 reports are incidents where consumers state the panel detached ...and flew off into traffic.On March 19, 2021, Mercedes notified NHTSA that it would recall subject vehicles with front roof panels known to have been replaced after the original sale of the vehicle. In total, the recall (designated as Recall 21V197) covers 15,099 vehicles that were ever registered in the United States. Based on Recall 21V197 and the remedy implemented by Mercedes, further investigation does not appear to be warranted at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11376425, 11352686, 11351629, 11349158, 11341541, 11337594, 11324100, 11311591, 11222127, 11404183

MERCEDES-BENZ CORPORATE IS SHOWING A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR ME AS A CONSUMER AND HUMAN! MY BRAKES RECENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING (I LOST MY ABILITY TO BRAKE) AND IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY LIFE AND SAFETY WAS PUT IN JEOPARDY AND I AM IN SHOCK. AT THEIR REQUEST I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED IN TO MERCEDES-BENZ SERVICE AND CORPORATE ESCALATION IS DENYING MY CLAIM AND NOT PROVIDING ME ASSISTANCE IN ANY WAY.

NHTSA ID

11683696

Incident

Aug 19, 2025

I WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED AND SHFTED INTO DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED UNITL IT STOPPED AFTER HITTING FENCE AND TILTED ON ITS SIDE

NHTSA ID

11669693

Incident

May 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front roof panel detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,620.

NHTSA ID

11664622

Incident

May 31, 2025

Mileage

104,620 mi

Mercedes Benz 2016 GLE450 AMG Coupe Backup Camera issue. The software problems cause backup camera to go blank /black screen. It does this randomly, it can worked for few weeks to a month, then suddenly just goes blank/black when the gear is in reverse (R). I have made complained to Mercedes Benz dealer when the issue first started and I was told that the year of my vehicle is not listed in the recall that was issued for the Mercedes Benz with backup camera issues, the recall was listed for 2019-2021. I was told that I have to wait until there is a recall for the 2016 GLE450 AMG Coupe.

NHTSA ID

11650010

Incident

Mar 4, 2024

Gear Shift issue there are several forums with this issue car goes from park to neutral when trying to shift to drive. then goes straight to drive 3 stuck between drive 3 and drive 5 the very concerning issue is if the car does shift to drive 1 it throws itself into neutral while driving this is an extremely dangerous issue ! mercedes has to know because of the complaints extremely upset that no recall has been issued ...

NHTSA ID

11617815

Incident

Sep 3, 2024

There is a known issue With this vehicle with the shifting(hard shifting) there's a glitch when shifting to drive it automatically shifts to neutral then to drive 3 ! the glitch is that its not transmitting correctly to the transmission . if the car does shift to drive 1 it throws itself into neutral while driving that's dangerous !! there are several forums with this issue and I am very surprised there has been no recall this is very upsetting!

NHTSA ID

11617428

Incident

Sep 3, 2024

While parking and putting my car in park. Hello, my car needs a recall. August 31, 2024 While parking and putting the car in park. my car shifted into Neutral and lunged forward causing me to hit a sign and maneuver away from a wall. My car is dangerous. Please help!! My car lunged forward and i ran into a bush. I am injured. This car malfunction jumping gears. Not shifting properly the car is dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11612929

Incident

Sep 1, 2024

In May 2023 I took my 2016 GLE 450 AMG into "Park Place Motor Cars Mercedes" (Dallas) for the (MBUSA 2023010002 and 2023010003) "Water that could Leak into the Spare Tire area, Impacting the Fuel Pump" recall. Park Place stated that they didn't locate any signs of water in the trunk area and would place a water drain plug in the spare tire area to drain water, incase water entered the area. In January 26, 2024, while driving, my GLE 450 loss propulsion without warning causing me to almost get rear ended. Unbeknownst to me, that this was related to the recall from 2023, I had the vehicle towed to a local "certified repair shop". The shop stated that i would need to replace the fuel pump units. Approximately 2 months later while my daughter was driving the GLE 450, the vehicle loss propulsion without warning once again causing my daughter to be stranded at a "Stop sign" 30 miles from home at approximately 1245 am. I had the vehicle towed to "Park Place Motorcars". Service advisor informed me that the Fuel pump unit had failed due to water entering into the trunk and they would have to determine where the water was coming from. I then asked to speak to manager and I remembered that a recall describing this situation had been conducted less than a year prior to this incident (2x). After approximately 1 month the service advisor messaged me and stated that the repair(s) wouldn't be covered under the recall warranty due to the fact that debris was found underneath the vehicle, causing the drain plug to be blocked. I am terrified to allow my family to continue driving this vehicle with the current remedy that Mercedes has chosen to use (drain plug), that did NOT fix the problem specified in the defective issue within the recall paperwork. The REMEDY should be to determine how the water is entering into the vehicle. The water has caused 2 fuel pump incidents within 1 year leading to the loss of propulsion without warning and increasing the risk of a serious crash.

NHTSA ID

11594112

Incident

Jan 26, 2024

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 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.

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 (see areas marked blue in pictures "2.jpg" and "3.jpg"). 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 areas marked blue in pictures "2.jpg" and "3.jpg"). 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.

Complaint The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note: Deactivation of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is not supported for gray-market vehicles. Cause Before deactivating the HERMES control unit (N112/9), it must be clarified by the legal department of the respective MPC whether and under what conditions deactivation may be carried out. If deactivation is not permissible under applicable law, the HERMES control unit (N112/9) must not be deactivated. Remedy Please inform the customer that, following deactivation, the vehicle will no longer be able to place an automatic emergency call, nor will the customer be able to place a manual emergency call. After deactivation, the Mercedes-Benz Digital Extras will also no longer be available. Please have the attached sample form checked by your market's legal department, adapted to local requirements if necessary, and approved. Furthermore, after informing the customer about the effects of deactivation, please have the workshop complete and sign the approved form together with the customer, and send it to the MPC via a TIPS case for audit-compliant documentation. Furthermore, the workshop must affix a sticker to the emergency call button cover on the overhead control panel and to the emergency call button itself. After affixing, pictures of the overhead control panel need to be attached to the TIPS case for audit-proof documentation. After deactivation, the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is in the "Out of Service" operating status, and the display "SOS NOT READY" appears in the Audio/COMAND system. This display message tells the customer that the emergency call function is not available. In detail, the following steps must be carried out 1. The workshop must inform the customer about the effects of deactivation (see above) 2. Legal review by the MPC Legal department to determine whether deactivation is permissible for the vehicle and provision of a market-specific customer form based on the examples (see "Example - Deactivation communication module HERMES customer declaration English V3.0.pdf") 3. Completion of the market-specific customer form by the workshop and obtaining the customer’s signature 4. Creation of a XSS ticket by the workshop for the MPC with the signed customer form attached 5. Written confirmation of legally reviewed and approved deactivation by the MPC in the TIPS case (see attachment How+to+request+adding+Code+09o+via+XSS+v2.pdf, point 1) 6. Creation of an XSS ticket for documentation of the SA code "09o" (zero nine oh) in the Vehicle Documentation System (see attachment How+to+request+adding+Code+09o+via+XSS+v2.pdf, steps 2–7) 7. Ordering of stickers (part number A9078172900), quantity: 2 8. Affixing of the sticker (part number A9078172900) to the cover of the emergency call button on the overhead control panel (see attachment HERMES-Deactivation_+pictures+of+sticker.png) 9. Affixing of the sticker (part number A9078172900) to the emergency call button on the overhead control panel (see attachment HERMES-Deactivation_+pictures+of+sticker.png) 10. Taking photos of the applied stickers and attaching them to the TIPS case 11. After the XSS ticket has been successfully processed, the communication module must be deactivated using XENTRY: • Connect XENTRY Diagnosis • Access the HERMES control unit (N112/9) • "Adaptation" tab, menu item "Teach-in processes" -> "Deactivation" • Follow the instructions

Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two conditions are also met: • HERMES (N112/9) control unit: event code B15CE00 is ACTIVE and STORED (A+S) • Vehicle Documentation System: For the HERMES control unit, the EID1, EID2, ICCID, IMEI, IMSI, TELNR fields in the "Identification/Serial number" column have the value "-" Cause Still under analysis Remedy Recommission the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis 03/2026 and add-on 33399 installed or carry out the procedure with a newer version of XENTRY Diagnosis: XENTRY→ "N112/9 - Control unit for telematics services (HERMES)" -> "Adaptations" -> "Control unit commissioning" -> "Commissioning of previously installed control unit"

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, June 11, 2026. After June 11th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.