2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11128546 · 2018-09-10 (September 10, 2018)
CRUISE CONTROL SPEED CANNOT BE CLEARED UNLESS CAR IS STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. ONCE SPEED IS SET, THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN BE DISENGAGED, BUT THE SPEED SET CANNOT BE CANCELED. EXAMPLE, SPEED IS SET AT 65MPH. IF CRUISE CONTROL IS DISENGAGED, AND THEN ENGAGED AGAIN, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATE TO 65MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO DECREASE SPEED IS TO REPEATEDLY TAP THE LEVER TO DECREASE SPEED BY 5MPH/TAP. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY DISCONCERTING IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SET THE CRUISE FOR A LOWER SPEED SPEED THAN PREVIOUSLY SET. I CONFIRMED THIS PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11128546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11154922 · 2018-11-30 (November 30, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ADEQUATELY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF DURHAM [phone removed], LOCATED AT 110 KENTINGTON DR, DURHAM, NC 27713) AND THE BULB LOCATIONS WERE ADJUSTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVID…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11155427 · 2018-12-02 (December 2, 2018)
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY POOR AND I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT. I GOOGLED ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND I SEE LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON MERCEDES GLE. I AM WILLING TO PAY MONEY TO FIX THIS ISSUE, BUT DEALER SAID HE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NOW. I TALKED TO MERCEDES AND THEY ALSO SAID THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11155427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11172997 · 2019-01-30 (January 30, 2019)
CAR WAS STOPPED IN THE PARKING LOT,AND JUST BEFORE SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF,IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION, HITTING THE RESTAURANT WALL CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND LITTLE PHYSICAL INJURY. AFTER HITTING THE WALL CAR STOPPED WITH MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307432 · 2020-02-06 (February 6, 2020)
ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE INFORMATION MONITOR FREEZING, PARTICULAR TO THE NAVIGATION FUNCTION. SHUTS DOWN AND ATTEMPTS TO REBOOT REPEATEDLY. MB ATTEMPTED A FIX RE SOFTWARE, HOWEVER, ISSUE CONTINUES. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, LEAVING PARKED FOR AN HOUR OR TWO DOES NOT CORRECT THE SYSTEM. MAY OCCUR SHORTLY AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE OR SHORTLY AFTER BEGINNING TO DRIVE. OVERNIGHT PARKING SEEMS TO CORRECT THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE. DURING THIS TIME, ONLY OTHER FUNCTION THAT OPERATES IS THE RADIO; CANNOT USE VOICE COMMANDS, TELEPHONE BLUETOOTH, ETC…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,076 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11315337 · 2020-02-29 (February 29, 2020)
AROUND 1/24/2020, TIRE LOSS PRESSURE TO 32 PSI FROM 38 PSI. TIRE WAS INFLATED TO 38 PSI, BUT ONE WEEK LATER, THE TIRE LOST PRESSURE AGAIN. AFTER INFLATION, THIS TIME IT MAINTAINED THE PRESSURE A LITTLE BIT LONGER. BUT ON 2/21/2020, TIRE LOST PRESSURE AGAIN, AFTER INFLATION TO 38 PSI THIS TIME, THE SIDEWALL BUBBLE APPEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,795 miles reported. Look up ODI 11315337 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V512000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2018-08-03 (August 3, 2018)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, and GLE43 AMG vehicles. During manufacturing, components of the panoramic sunroof may have been installed with a bonding primer that was incorrectly made, possibly affecting the long-term adhesion to the vehicle.
Consequence: If the front cover and/or rear fixed glass are not properly adhered, they may detach, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 7, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V539000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2018-08-16 (August 16, 2018)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.
Consequence: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080013.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V058000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Electrical System:Software
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V072000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Communication
Reported: 2021-02-12 (February 12, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V123000 · Tires
Reported: 2021-02-26 (February 26, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE43 AMG, and GLE400 vehicles equipped with Continental tires. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030008.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V365000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Electrical System:Software
Reported: 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V955000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive Module | Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive Module
Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
Consequence: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.
NHTSA campaign record ↗