2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Electrical Problems

My vehicle was in for a normal service to have the spark plugs replaced. However I was told that the engine wiring harness had become brittle (apparently a common and reoccurring problem with my vehicle) and would likely cause misfiring after changing spark plugs. This did indeed happen and if I didn’t elect to have the harness replaced, it would have put myself and my son in danger. It was a very costly repair (over $4000) for something that the vehicle manufacturer is at fault for.

NHTSA ID

11732609

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

Engine compartment heat causes wiring harness insulation to melt and Electrical shorting while driving. Engine has lack of power and acceleration due to heat damage to the engine harness. Check Engine light came on. This is a potential fire risk and should be address by MBUSA. This is a know issue with this model. Car has only 36,000 miles

NHTSA ID

11716779

Incident

Jan 19, 2026

The air conditioning in my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV has failed due to a refrigerant (freon) leak, leaving the system unable to cool and properly defrost the windshield. This is not an isolated issue—many other GLE owners have reported the same failure on forums and blogs, suggesting a widespread defect. NHTSA has already issued Recall No. 23V177000 (March 2023) for improperly installed A/C drain hoses in 2020–2021 GLE/GLS models, which created water intrusion, electrical shorts, fire risk, and failures of critical systems (eCall, unlocking, limp mode). In addition, a Mercedes-Benz Technical Bulletin dated August 5, 2024 (NHTSA MC-11000597-0001) specifically identifies evaporator refrigerant leaks as a frequent cause of A/C failure. Safety Concerns Loss of cabin cooling in hot weather poses risk of driver fatigue or heat-related illness. Defogging/defrosting may fail in humid conditions, creating visibility hazards. Prior related A/C defects have been tied to short circuits and electrical risks. Consumer Impact This defect has created significant hardship. The A/C failure occurred far earlier than expected for a premium vehicle, leaving me with high out-of-pocket repair estimates. The lack of cooling makes the car unsafe and uncomfortable to drive in hot weather, and the inability to properly defog/defrost windows compromises visibility. I purchased a Mercedes-Benz with the expectation of reliability and safety, and this known defect has undermined that trust. Requested Action Mercedes-Benz should cover the repair costs for affected vehicles, and NHTSA should investigate whether an expanded recall is necessary to include A/C evaporator refrigerant leaks as part of the broader HVAC system defect.

NHTSA ID

11696116

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

48V battery issue cause the car not able to drive.

NHTSA ID

11650369

Incident

Mar 24, 2025

Water intrusion. It rained, water leaked into driver seat floor. The water then made it to the electrical parts underneath the driver seat. This seems identical to the recall I am seeing online with the number: 23V-177

NHTSA ID

11628758

Incident

Nov 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable. The message "Active parking Assist and Parktronic inoperative - See Operator's Manual" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown wiring harness had experienced an electrical short due to water entry underneath the floorboard. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that parts were not available. The failure mileage was 26,994.

NHTSA ID

11607283

Incident

Apr 28, 2024

Mileage

26,994 mi

There were two incidents that had similar symptoms: one before the dealership said they fixed and one afterwards. The issue is that while driving I would get three warning, all at the same time: coolant too hot, 48v battery malfunction, shut the engine off. The first time it happened immediately after I turned on the vehicle and within 5 minutes of leaving a parking lot. The second time it happened after about 3 hours of driving at highway speeds. After the first time it happened dealership said they fixed the issue by upgrading the software (battery software?). Both times it happened on the highway. The first time on the uphill, and vehicle immediately shut off and could not make it up the ramp. The second time in the tunnel on the flat road, could not make it to the exit. Both times created extremely dangerous situation as I had no time to take the exit and vehicle shut off about 30 seconds after warning popped up. The second time in the tunnel was especially dangerous as there was no shoulder and i had to stop in the middle of the right lane as cars were going at 60 mph by me. I was really worried for myself and my family. I have to trust that Mercedes is capable of fixing the issue and providing a reliable vehicle I can depend on and trust for the safety of my family.

NHTSA ID

11575432

Incident

Mar 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the over-the-air software update was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the software update was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11451827

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

48 V BATTERY MALFUNCTIONED, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT CHARGING. WHICH LED TO ADDITIONAL MESSAGES INCLUDING THE CAR WAS NOW OVERHEATING, TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND NOT DRIVE IT. AT THAT POINT I LOST ENGINE POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR UP A SLIGHT HIM.

NHTSA ID

11449255

Incident

Jan 15, 2022

The contact leased a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and yielding to make a right turn, the vehicle would shut off with several warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the “Active blind spot assist inoperable" and "Inoperable - See Owner’s Manual" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000

NHTSA ID

11437650

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

5,000 mi

WARNING LIGHT "COOLANT TOO HOT SHUT ENGINE OFF" COMES ON REPEATEDLY AND THIS IS UNABLE TO BE FIXED. LIGHT COMES ON WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES THIS WAS A FAULTY WARNING LIGHT. YESTERDAY THIS CAME ON AND MY ENGINE SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY STREET. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I LOST POWER TO THE CAR ON A MAIN ROAD. I BARELY ROLLED INTO A PARKING LOT. COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE (FATAL) DISASTER HAD I BEEN ON THE FREEWAY. "MALFUNCTION" "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL" AND "48V BATTERY SEE OPERATORS MANUAL" ALL CAME ON WITHIN RAPID SUCCESSION BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON ME.

NHTSA ID

11365446

Incident

Oct 19, 2020

Mileage

6,600 mi

SUDDEN ACCELERATION - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES- 1) 03/21/20 COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE - ALL WARNING LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTS & BRAKE LIGHTS STUCK ON, THEN WOULD NOT START AFTER LOCAL SHOPPING TRIP-ODOMETER 754 MILES - VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER - 'REPROGRAMMED'. 2) 06/18/20 ACTIVE SPEED CONTROL-CRUISE CONTROL (WHICH READS SPEED LIMIT SIGNS AND ADJUSTS SPEED) WAS SET AT 50 MPH - SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO 80 MPH. ODOMETER 1641 MILES. 3) ACTIVE SPEED LIMIT CONTROL OFTEN READS FRONTAGE ROAD SPEED LIMIT SIGNS WHILE ON MAIN HIGHWAY, INITIATING BRAKING. 4) ACTIVE SPEED CONTROL WHEN ON CRUISE CONTROL WILL APPLY BRAKES WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL FOR LANE CHANGES. 08/31/20-09/04/2020 RETURNED TO DEALER- ODOMETER 2361-'REPROGRAMMED'. 5) 09/19/20 ACTIVE SPEED LIMIT CONTROL SET AT 15 MPH SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO 80 MPH. ODOMETER 2512. WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BY BRAKE APPLICATION TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL AFTER VEHICLE INITIATED HARD ACCELERATION WITHOUT ANY DRIVER INPUT AND HAD REACHED 30-35 MPH. SAME AS 06/18/20 SIMILAR INCIDENT. DEALER WAS ADVISED AND 'UPDATED SOFTWARE' MERCEDES BENZ-GRAPEVINE, TX INVOICE 511097. MERCEDES GLE 450 DATE OF MFG. 10JAN2020 - LEASED 25JAN 2020.

NHTSA ID

11360596

Incident

Sep 19, 2020

Mileage

2,512 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND '48V BATTERY MALFUNCTION' WARNING GOES OFF, ALONG WITH A YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. A FEW SECONDS LATER A 'COOLANT' ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP AND A RED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR LOOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND I'M UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. CALL FLASHES A MESSAGE OF 'PULL OVER AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF'. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THE CAR STALLED COMPLETELY. FOUND OUT THROUGH SEVERAL BLOG POSTS MULTIPLE OTHER 2020 GLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BY MERCEDES-BENZ AND NO RESOLUTION FOR THE ISSUE. VEHICLES ARE SPENDING MONTHS IN THE SHOP AND EVENTUALLY BEING BOUGHT BACK BY THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIP. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS ISSUE TO LOSE ALL POWER AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLES SPEED. I'M LUCKY NO ONE WAS ON THE ROAD NEAR ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, OTHERWISE AN ACCIDENT ALMOST SURELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. MERCEDES SHOULD BE FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID

11352040

Incident

Aug 29, 2020

Mileage

4,900 mi

COMMAND CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY AFFECTING NAVIGATION, VOICE CONTROL, BLUETOOTH, AND VEHICLE APPS. ISSUE WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUES FOR OVER A MONTH. ISSUES ARE PRESENT WHEN BOTH STATIONARY AND DRIVING. MAY AFFECT OTHER ELECTRICAL AND DRIVING SYSTEMS.

NHTSA ID

11233002

Incident

Jun 16, 2019

Mileage

20 mi