2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

On [XXX] Safelite attempted to repair a chip in my windshield but the repair was unsuccessful due to the size of the chip and it ran across the windshield from the top middle to the passenger side. I contacted my insurance company, USAA, and Safelite to get the windshield replaced and was informed there was a nationwide backlog in windshields for these vehicles, a 2023 Mercedes Benz GLE450 SUV 4Matic. Since then, I have called multiple MB dealerships, as well as USAA and Safelite on several occasions and each time, was told I am on a list of owners waiting for these windshields. There are no after-market versions of this windshield so it has to be an OEM windshield. I bought the car new in September 2024 from the MB dealership in Westminster, Colorado. I am driving an unsafe vehicle and cannot get it fixed. I have emailed Mercedes Benz Customer Service but have not received a response. Each dealership is keeping their own list of owners who need replacement windshields, and they claim they are at the mercy of the manufacturer. I want to sell the vehicle and never buy another Mercedes, but I cannot sell it with a broken windshield. How is this manufacturer allowed to do business like this in the United States? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11623271

Incident

Jul 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road on each occasion. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V118000 (Power Train). The dealer performed the recall repair; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11606472

Incident

Jun 5, 2024

Mileage

20,000 mi

After driving the car about 5 miles at about 10 miles per hour while decelerating the transmission shifted into neutral requiring me to need to pull over to the side of the road, put the car in park, turn it off and back on again, this has now happened 3 times in the span of about 1 week.

NHTSA ID

11588071

Incident

May 1, 2024

Engine does while driving; when accelerator pressed there is often a delay of several seconds before the car speed will increase as the engine will rev but the transmission will not engage for several seconds. This is occurring sporadically but with increasing regularity. Dealer cannot find any error codes. Seems like it’s a fuel pump and/or computer chip issue.

NHTSA ID

11541807

Incident

Aug 21, 2023

1. Several times the rear hatch has opened while the car was left unattended. 2. If the hatch opens it could possibly cause a safety issue: a.By opening while driving. This has not happened and I do not know if Mercedes has a safety lock to ensure this could not happen. b.Open while parked at the store, mall, etc. The vehicle would be unsecured with items being subjected to being stolen. c.Open while parked at the store, mall, etc. A stranger could get in the rear of the vehicle, close the hatch and wait for me to return causing a dangerous situation. d.Open and damage the garage door if parked in the garage. e.Open while someone is in the back of the vehicle. Should this happen, a person could be pinned against another vehicle or garage door. 3.Mercedes Benz is aware of this issue on my car. I was informed the S class Mercedes has had a similar problem and Mercedes reprogrammed the key fob to a “2X push of the rear hatch button on the key fob”. They have yet to do this on my vehicle. 4.The vehicle has been inspected by Mercedes and as of today there is not a similar fix as to that of the S class Mercedes. Mercedes is aware of this problem but has yet to offer a fix. Also, upon doing an internet search, I have discovered others having experienced similar problems over the course of many years. 5.There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms relating to the problem. This problem first appeared within a few miles of owning the vehicle. The vehicle is currently has about 2,300 miles.

NHTSA ID

11530440

Incident

Jan 11, 2023

I am like many other Mercedes GLE 450 owners, having breakdowns related to the "48V and 12V" battery malfunction issue that Mercedes has been dealing with for the last couple of years. My brand new car (less than 4,000 miles) has broken down twice, leaving me stranded with no power waiting on a flat bed tow to a dealership. The vehicle gives warning messages about the 48V and 12V batteries and then loses power immediately. Once I was stranded in the middle of the road, the other time I was able to get to the shoulder before the car completely lost power.

NHTSA ID

11528964

Incident

Jun 21, 2023

For the Engine problem While driving the car there was a warning about the battery and asked to check the manual, immediately after that another warning was coolant too hot and the car shut down in the middle of the road For the transmission problem While driving the gear went to Neutral by itself. I put it back in drive about 4 minutes later it went back to neutral by itself and I had to put it back in drive No dashboard warning

NHTSA ID

11511088

Incident

Mar 9, 2023

This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage detection (DMTL) in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV II) and 15 years/150,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV III), whichever occurs first, for the following condition: •Under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (‘MIL’).

Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167, 465: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 290, 118, 243, 247: Software is still in development. This fault code does not cause a drivability concern and will clear itself within 2-3 key cycles. The vehicle can be released back to the customer.

Complaint Noise from front end attributable to steering gear. Cause During diagnostics of a front end noise, workshop is under the impression the noise is coming from the steering gear. Remedy Workshop diagnostics point to the steering gear as the root cause of the noise and the below LI's and items have been ruled out. • LI46.35-P-067339 - "Rattling or Humming 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"" • If the noise is described as "clacking" or "knocking" 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. If the above has been completed and the noise is still present, please continue with the below: • Video underneath the vehicle with clearly audible noise. • Video inside the vehicle with clearly audible noise. • Vehicle checked for history of collisions. • List of other checked components (suspension, drive line components, wheel bearings, etc...). • Check integrity of dust boots and dust boot clamps. Ensure no water has entered into the steering rack. • 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. If the above is completed and no findings are noted, please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox.

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 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 Do not replace parts. Please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox but read the below carefully: • The vehicle must be exhibiting the concern as shown in the attachment videos. • The vehicle DOES NOT need to be at the dealer, nor does it need to be brought into the dealership. • If the geographic location is known, it is very important that it is provided. • Provide any pictures or videos, if available. A new software for the head unit is scheduled for tentative release in Q3 2026.

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.