2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
27 distinct recall campaigns
22,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 89 complaints (37.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 13.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 7.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 33 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Engine: 33; Electrical System: 22; Unknown Or Other: 12; Power Train: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5
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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 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: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 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). 66 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2019: 2; 2020: 5; 2021: 8; 2022: 9; 2023: 13; 2024: 11; 2025: 30; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 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 11290824 · 2019-12-23 (December 23, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE PARKING BRAKE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES OF BENITA SPRINGS, FL (14610 TAMIAMI TRAIL, NAPLES, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARKING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11290824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11337538 · 2020-07-05 (July 5, 2020)
I SET THE DISTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL TO 45 MPH. IT SUDDENLY RESET ITSELF TO 70 MPH AND STARTED TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE TO 70 MPH WHILE SHOWING THE SPEED LIMIT TO BE 70 MPH WHEN THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH. I RESET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 45 MPH. WHEN THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WENT TO 50 MPH, THE CAR QUICKLY STARTED ACCELERATING TO 80 MPH AND SHOWED THE SPEED LIMIT TO BE 80 MPH ON THE DASHBOARD DIGITAL DISPLAY. I QUICKLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO REGAIN CONTROL. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT UNDER THE SQUARE SPEED LIMIT SIGN, WAS A ROUND KILOMETER…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11337538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455508 · 2022-03-07 (March 7, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11455508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495164 · 2022-11-28 (November 28, 2022)
Vehicle (72,000 miles) sent an email message that the "starter battery is critical". Drove it to Mercedes Benz Cary (NC). Original battery replaced ($538). Two days later, another "starter battery critical" message arrived. Vehicle wouldn't start. Mercedes Roadside sent a flatbed, jump started the vehicle, loaded it and took it to Mercedes Cary. I was required to authorize two hours of diagnostic works (+/- $450). Evidently, Mercedes Cary performed some software updates. Waiting for final invoice and software details.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11317320 · 2020-03-10 (March 10, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES BENZ GLE350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO GEARS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PRINCETON LOCATED AT (2910 IS-1, LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ 08648), WHERE IT WAS DIAG…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11317320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11624078 · 2024-11-07 (November 7, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the ON/OFF system was activated, while making left and right turns and then stopped the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was shifted into park(P) and restarted after each failure. The vehicle was idling and the engine sputtered and ran rough. Additionally, the contact stated that while idling, the vehicle shuddered and ran rough on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust valve seats needed to be repla…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11624078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11266982 · 2019-10-08 (October 8, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION MADE THUMPING AND REVVING NOISES AND ALSO JOLTED WHEN DECELERATING AND SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF LANCASTER (5100 MAIN ST, EAST PETERSBURG, PA) WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED, AND THE VALVE BODY AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE CHANGED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ATLANTIC CITY (6623 EAST BLACK HORSE PIKE, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ) WHERE THE TRANSMISSIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11266982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11574330 · 2024-02-27 (February 27, 2024)
Component or system failed: P030385 Combustion misfiring of cylinder 3 has been detected. There is a signal above permissible limit value. P030085 Combustion misfiring has been detected. There is a signal above permissible limit value. P1CEF85- Injector injection quantity adjustment for cylinder balancing has almost reached upper limit value at least one cylinder. There is a signal above permissible limit value. P1CE577- Injector injection quantity adjustment for uniform mixture formation has detected an excessively lean mixture in at least …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11574330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11694138 · 2025-10-17 (October 17, 2025)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11694138 at NHTSA ↗