2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
20,004 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 40 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 25.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Exterior Lighting: 3; Fuel System, Diesel: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Tires: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 6; 2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 6; 2024: 4; 2025: 6; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11316741 · 2020-03-07 (March 7, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD CLOSE TO MY HOUSE, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING LOT OF ALERTS AND SUDDENLY THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS VERY SLOW AS IT WAS EVENING AND RAINING WITH GOOD AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC ON THE LOCAL FORD ROAD. THIS WAS VERY SCARY, AD THINKING IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MB ANN ARBOR MI DEALERSHIP WHICH IT WAS WORKED ON FOR ALMOST A MONTH. THE ISSUE WAS CONFIRMED, PLEASE SEE ATTACHED,…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,004 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406735 · 2021-04-06 (April 6, 2021)
AFTER 20K OF DRIVING, THE BRAKE PAD ON THE CALIPER OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WENT METAL TO METAL. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE DASH TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE LEFT REAR INNER PADS WERE LOW AND THEN THAT THE PAD AND ROTOR WERE METAL TO METAL, BECAUSE THERE IS NO INDICATOR SENSOR ON THE LEFT SIDE ONLY ON THE RIGHT REAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510855 · 2023-03-08 (March 8, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that water had intruded into the connector and the fuel pump control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, after the vehicle was retrieved, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact then stated that u…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11510855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11617762 · 2024-10-02 (October 2, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes that indicated a loss of communication between the fuel pump control unit and the fuel pump. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there was water accumulation in the spare tire wheel well. The dealer replaced the blown seals and the fuel pump control unit under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel…
Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11617762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11482825 · 2022-09-04 (September 4, 2022)
Cannot shift gear to Reverse or Neutral, after car is completely stopped by pushing brake pedal and keep firmly pushing the brake pedal. After firmly press the brake pedal, tried to move hear selector to Reverse or Neutral, but did not work. Tried to above step more than five times at the moment of incident, but did not work. If takes off the foot from the pedal, the car Restart the engine, then I was able to move the gear to Reverse or Neutral The case has occurred three times, an year ago (Summer, 2021), Aug 2022, Sep 3, 2022. Q:How was you…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11482825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522545 · 2023-05-17 (May 17, 2023)
Was not able to change automatic transmission gear to R (Reverse) w/o restarting the engine. (the brake pedal is firmly pressed for sure) For all three cases: 1) D (Drive) to R or 2) P (park) to R or 3) N to R. The only way to change to R was: 1) move gear to P 2) shutoff the engine, 3) restart the engine, 4) and then able to change the gear to R. This has happened several times in this year, 2023.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11685152 · 2025-09-04 (September 4, 2025)
The fuel pump has been failing and shutting off and has been hesitant when taking off. It can leave you stranded in the middle of the road or if you turn left in front of people the car may stall and can cause a crash. Yes and independent dealer and the dealer both know it’s a problem. I took the vehicle into a Mercedes dealer and the fuel pump had a recall on it and the dealer refused to replace it although I had a engine code that they could pull up referring them to the fuel pump and the fuel pump not priming as it should in every start up…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11685152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110871 · 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND LOW SPEED COLLISION WITH CONCRETE WALL. VARIOUS WARNING MESSAGES IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER APPEARED. MBUSA INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND AN ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL FAULT CODE WAS FOUND. TECHNICIAN STATES IN REPAIR ORDER "STEERING RACK SHORTED" AND "PERFORMED SDS AND FOUND NO COMMUNICATION WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL UNIT." MBUSA REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, STATING MBUSA "PERFORMED VERY THOROUGH ANALYSIS OF THE SUB…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11110871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11733079 · 2026-04-22 (April 22, 2026)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC; Case: XXX My concerns has been denied and overlooked by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC multiple times since Jan 2026--interims of defective electric system causing sudden locking of steering wheel and shut down car , due to malfunctioning electric system resulting in car crash into another parked car on the street, took car to auto body shop who diagnosed gas gauge misread as empty gas tank even though tank was 3/4 full , due to this car was totally locked out when driving on the street and hit another parked car due to loss …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11733079 at NHTSA ↗