2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Owner Complaints

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

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel stopped operating and the vehicle crashed into a guard rail. The warning message "power steering" failure was displayed after the crash. No air bags were deployed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed with a failed electric power steering and control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the power steering failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering), however, the contact was not notified of the campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11582135

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Mileage

110,000 mi

Front upper control arm sway bushings cracking after being replaced. Strained vehicle Noise when going over numbs or dips. Unstable suspension. Also output shaft is leaking oil.

NHTSA ID

11501359

Incident

Jan 11, 2023

My 2016 Mercedes GLE 450 AMG was running perfectly but stalled while I was making a left turn onto a major roadway and I was inches from a catastrophic accident. My car was towed to Mercedes Benz dealership and the technician informed me that the trunk seal was not sealing properly causing water to get in through the trunk and shorted out a fuel pump module. My trunk was not wet and only indication of water was when the rear compartment was lifted near the spare tire area so I was not aware of a possible leak. My car is mostly garage kept unless I am at work where it’s exposed to weather. It had been raining for several days in our area. After doing online research, it appears to be an existing problem for Mercedes owners. I’m concerned because I could have lost my life due to this issue and someone may not be so fortunate if the problem goes unresolved.

NHTSA ID

11482126

Incident

Aug 27, 2022

Electrical - Drivers lock does not lock/unlock with remote, with door lock. Have to physically lock/unlock drivers door. if you do not you will not get in door and you will not open from inside. If you do not lock manually your door will be open even though the other doors locked. Power Train - transmission is clucking between gear especially at slow speeds, Transmission in L1-5 sometimes does not shift up or down. sometimes does not go into drive from manually shifting from L gears. some downhills the tranny does not slow vehicle on down hills. Engine - valves and lifters are noisy at startup. Sounds like 1 or two cylinders. Suspension - Rear stock suspension bottoms easily also excessive motion up and down.

NHTSA ID

11482122

Incident

Aug 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to maneuver the vehicle. The power steering malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the Year/Make/Model was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11479934

Incident

Aug 11, 2022

Mileage

110,000 mi

Shifter and speed control car goes into nuetral instead of drive. The car excessively breaks when not necessary. Car stalling and locking steering wheel constant clicking after driving coming from the fuel tank. I use premium gas always the best quality. Problems with the control modules saying transmission not in park will roll away but car is in park the car automatically going into modes without prompt showing on dash. Tow engaging without print. It’s ver scary. Please fix these glitches. My car was off the road by and in safe driver as I got back into the road m. Thus is hie The accident Happened my car locked and cut off ion the road and when I tried to turn my steering wheel I was hit. My car stalled and steeering wheel locked.

NHTSA ID

11479861

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

The passenger side door won't open or lock automatically

NHTSA ID

11459113

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

Battery and antitheft device malfunction causing inability to shift out of neutral and can roll of the road. I left car immediate due to the risk of rolling into traffic without control called for help and secured with blocks. Not confirmed yet by dealer....no warning prior to failure....car is secured waiting for tow for 2 days to the dealership...the keys dont work ..it was a very dangerous situation and other mercedes have encountered this problem noted on line the mercedes dashboard ..

NHTSA ID

11424264

Incident

Jul 10, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE450 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WELL LINER PIN/SCREW ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL LINER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TIRES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,001.

NHTSA ID

11241685

Incident

Aug 4, 2019

Mileage

30,001 mi

I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM, THAT OTHER MB MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR AND CLASS ARE EXPERIENCING. SOME OF THE 2016 GLE'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT MY VEHICLE/VIN HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I RECEIVE THIS ERROR MESSAGE WHEN TURNING A CURVE. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND MB WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS WITH MY CPO WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED ME $6984.00 TO FIX THE ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BECAUSE I THINK THAT MY VEHICLE/VIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE CURRENT RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V27200. MY ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL. I AM CONCERNED AS THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN SMELL THE OIL BURNING AS WELL AS SEE IT FOAMING FROM THE FLUID CANISTER.

NHTSA ID

11203655

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

53,000 mi

CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THE FUEL LINE WAS FLOODED WITH WATER. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT I LET THE TRUNK OPEN IN THE RAIN, BUT I DID NO SUCH THING. THERE WAS ALSO NO WATER IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO NORMAL RAINY CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO WAY WATER SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET TO THE FUEL LINE BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE INSULATED AGAINST MOISTURE. CORPORATE THOUGHT THERE WAS FLOODING IN THE AREA, BUT THERE IS NO FLOODING IN DALLAS, TEXAS. MB CONDUCTS QUALITY TESTING IN DIFFERENT CLIMATES SO I DO NO SEE WHY THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER IT TO BE A PRODUCT DEFECT. SOMEONE CAN POTENTIALLY DIE FROM THE CAR STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED BY MB.

NHTSA ID

11141472

Incident

Oct 16, 2018

Mileage

11,000 mi

MY SUNROOF EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO THE GLASS. THE GLASS FLEW BACK ON ROAD AND THE GLASS REMAINING ON TOO APPEARED BOWED.

NHTSA ID

11057226

Incident

Dec 20, 2017

Mileage

33,500 mi

CAR LURCHES FORWARD DURING BRAKING CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUTTER AND BUCKLE FORWARD WITHOUT CONTROL.ISSUES OCCURS IN ALL MODES OF DRIVE, INCLUDING ECO, SPORT, SPORT+ AND COMFORT. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP THE CAR JERKS FORWARD WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. RPM'S BOOST UP WITHOUT ANY MOTION ON THE GAS PEDAL AND SUBSEQUENT MOTION ON THE BRAKE. CAR LUNGES FORWARD CAUSING WHIPLASH AND LOSS OF CONTROL AT SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH. CAR HAS HAD THIS SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE IN 9/2016 AND DEALERSHIP HAS DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITHOUT AVAIL. CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE SINCE 11/2/2017 WITHOUT ANY UPDATE, 30+ DAYS IN STATE OF CALIFORNIA (AUTOMATIC LEMON LAW APPLIES). CAR NEEDS A SOFTWARE FIX THAT HASN'T BEEN ISSUED YET, AND WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL THE EARLIEST MID-JANUARY 2018. WHEN FIRST BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE (4 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE) DEALER STATED THE CAR WAS "BREAKING IN", I HAD TO TELL THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULDN'T PAY THEM FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IF THEY COULD NOT FIX THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE THEY KEPT THE CAR AND STILL HAVE IT .MERCEDES NORTH AMERICA - SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE WEST COAST REFERRAL MANAGER HAS BEEN UNCOOPERATIVE IN RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO ANY COMMUNICATIONS.

NHTSA ID

11051380

Incident

Nov 2, 2017

Mileage

5,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V241000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CRITZ BMW BUICK GMC MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAVANNAH WHO INFORMED THEM THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE ONCE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11015360

Incident

Aug 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE450. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V440000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE EXPERINCED A FAILURE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALTER MERCEDES IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED AND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,407.

NHTSA ID

10994159

Incident

Jun 6, 2017

Mileage

18,407 mi

ECO START/STOP FEATURE IS UNSAFE. DRIVER COULD MISINTERPRET WHEN VEHICLE IS IN ECO STOP MODE VS OFF IN PARK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START AND LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE DRIVER TAKES THEIR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHEN THEY ASSUME IT IS OFF IN PARK. UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID

10906743

Incident

Sep 8, 2016

Mileage

3,743 mi

CONTINENTAL TIRE FAILURE. WITH ABOUT 500 MILES FROM TAKING DELIVERY TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE ON THE OUTSIDE. CREATING HIGH PROBABILITY OF FAILURE IN FLORIDA HEAT. TIRE REPLACED BY MERCEDES.

NHTSA ID

10885779

Incident

Jul 8, 2016

Mileage

500 mi