2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350D: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
48,875 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 33.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
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 | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 11318956 · 2020-03-22 (March 22, 2020)
WHITE SMOKE DURING STARTUP
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11318956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352671 · 2020-09-01 (September 1, 2020)
MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED BRAKE FLUID CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO BE SOFT AND HIT THE FLOOR.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11387667 · 2021-01-12 (January 12, 2021)
WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED EVERY TIME, THE MESSAGE "COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS INOPERATIVE. CHECK THE MANUAL" IS APPEARING. THERE ARE NO KNOWN DAMAGES AND IT APPEARED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AFTER PARKING(IN STATIONARY). NO KNOWN CAUSES FOR DAMAGE OF THE SENSOR. DEALER IS ASKING FOR CHECKING THE ISSUE $157 AND MOSTLY SAYS IT IS A SOFTWARE GLITCH. WHY AS A CUSTOMER I SHOULD PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT?
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399214 · 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)
OUR 2016 GLE350 WITH 67K MILES STALLED AT 5:45 P.M. ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUME. THERE WAS NO INDICATION BEFORE STALLING EXCEPT A RAPID LOSS OF POWER AND DOWNSHIFTING. IT WAS DUSK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED PARTIALLY IN LANE AS THERE WAS NO ROOM WITH WATER DRAINAGE DITCH. DEALER IDENTIFIED A SEAL IN THE LIFT GATE BEING DEFECTIVE ALLOWING WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE AREA IN PROXIMITY TO THE FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING. DEALER SHARED MERCEDES WOULD NOT ADDRESS NOR COVER THE $16…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404284 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
MY 2016 MB GLE 350 WITH 57750 MILES STALLED IN THE DRIVE THRU LANE AT STARBUCKS. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. NOTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. RE-STARTED THE ENGINE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME. VECHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. TOWED TO MB DEALER. THIS WAS THEIR ASSESSMENT: VERIFIED COMPLIANT. CONNECTED SDS AND RAN SHORT TEST. FOUND FAULT CODES FOR FUEL PUMP TO HAVE OPEN CIRCUIT & SHORT CIRCUIT. CHECKED POWER AT CONNECTOR TO FUEL PUMP TO FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT. NO PWM SIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11636782 · 2025-01-18 (January 18, 2025)
Multiple engine ignition coils have failed on this low mileage vehicle. History of failures are as followed. 1/18/2022 Mileage 39,246 Ignition Coil #4 6/16/2022 Mileage 40,915 Ignition Coil #2 3/16/2023 Mileage 43,866 Ignition Coil #6 and #2 4/23/2023 Mileage 44,275 Ignition Coil #1 1/15/2025 Mileage 51,560 Ignition Coil #4 Mercedes Benz advises immediate shutdown and service to prevent total engine failure.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11636782 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V903000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2016-12-15 (December 15, 2016)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic Bluetec, GL550 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe, GLE450 4Matic, 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, and 2017 GLS63 AMG vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, to May 10, 2016. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration may be incorrect, and as a result, the system can incorrectly classify the occupant as a child seat, deactivating the front passenger air bag.
Consequence: If the front passenger air bag does not deploy as necessary in the event of a crash, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V241000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2017-04-11 (April 11, 2017)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, E400 4Matic Coupe, GL63 AMG, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic and GLE63S AMG Coupe 4Matic vehicles, 2017 E300 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles, and 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic BlueTec, GL450 4Matic, and GL550 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.
Consequence: If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing the rack as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗