2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
32 distinct recall campaigns
5,950 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 26 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 61.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.8% |
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 | 14 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Electrical System: 14; Engine: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Unknown Or Other: 4; Back Over Prevention: 2; Seats: 2; Air Bags: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 16 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 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 2; 2024: 5; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 11233002 · 2019-07-18 (July 18, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11233002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352040 · 2020-08-29 (August 29, 2020)
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 T…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11603504 · 2024-07-19 (July 19, 2024)
This is a known issue with GLE 450 48v batteries over heating and causing loss of power and all function to control the vehicle. , For an unknown reason my vehicle was not part of a recent recall and probably should have been. I experienced the issue today and escaped tragedy. My battery light came on, then off, then a bright red battery light came on across the dashboard…then all of a sudden, my car lost all power with no warning. All while driving on the freeway 394! Luckily traffic was light and I was able to coast halfway up an off ramp. Th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11603504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360596 · 2020-09-22 (September 22, 2020)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,512 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11376864 · 2020-11-28 (November 28, 2020)
I WAS TRAVELLING ON HIGHWAY WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN NEAR THE EXIT, I PRESS THE OFF BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. TO MY SURPRISE, THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN, AND INSTEAD MAINTAIN THE ENGINE POWER TO KEEP THE CAR IN SET SPEED. I TRIED THE OTHER SETTINGS (OFF, CANCEL, SPEED DOWN) OPTION BUT NOTHING IS RESPONSIVE. SINCE I AM ON THE OFF RAMP ALREADY, I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE (THIS DOES FINALLY STOP THE CRUISE CONTROL) TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR. AFTER I COME TO A STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT, I NOTICE THAT THE AR VIEW CAMERA HAS A CONDENSAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11376864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488292 · 2022-10-07 (October 7, 2022)
1. After coming to a stop, foot placed on the pedal to accelerate through a neighborhood security gate, the car would not accelerate despite how hard I depressed the gas pedal. After approximately 3-4 seconds the car finally accelerated. 2. When coming to a stop the vehicle has a very hard “clunk” in the transmission to stop. Vehicle was taken to the dealership but they could not replicate the problem at the time so car was given back to me with “non replicable” issues.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11562001 · 2023-12-27 (December 27, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling in traffic, the check engine and battery warning lights illuminated along with the message to "Do not Drive Vehicle". The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the fuel tank and fuel delivery module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V572000 (Fuel…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,201 miles reported. Look up ODI 11562001 at NHTSA ↗