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2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Aug 28, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine717.5%
  • Body & structure512.5%
  • Fuel system512.5%
  • Steering410.0%
  • Driver assistance410.0%
  • Powertrain (other)37.5%
  • Suspension25.0%
  • Brakes12.5%
  • Other / unspecified12.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 27, 2025

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 · filed Sep 5, 2024
All 8 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 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 · filed Oct 1, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 3, 2025

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 · filed Jun 13, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 13, 2024

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 · filed Jan 11, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 10, 2024

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 · filed Aug 18, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 27, 2025

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 · filed Mar 23, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 28, 2025

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 · filed Aug 30, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 11, 2023

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 · filed Apr 25, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 28, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 19, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .