Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

83 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
32

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 12rollaway 2
A recent report: At approximately 87,000 miles, my 2021 GLE350 (M264 2.0T engine) experienced a severe engine misfire resulting in a flashing check engine light, rough idle, engine shaking, significant loss of power…
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At approximately 87,000 miles, my 2021 GLE350 (M264 2.0T engine) experienced a severe engine misfire resulting in a flashing check engine light, rough idle, engine shaking, significant loss of power, and near-stall condition. The vehicle was taken to Speedhaus Automotive (Newbury Park, CA) where all four ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced. Total repair cost was approximately $635. This failure pattern is consistent with the documented M264 exhaust valve seat wear issue acknowledged by Mercedes-Benz technicians. A Mercedes dealer service report on an identical 2021 GLE350 explicitly states: "COMMON ISSUE FOR EXHAUST VALVE SEATS TO WEAR — KNOWN ISSUE WITH 260 AND 264 MOTORS." Mercedes-Benz has extended the warranty on the M260 engine (transverse variant) for this identical failure mode but has not extended it for the longitudinally-mounted M264 despite the same defect being present. Repair costs for full cylinder head failure on the M264 are being quoted at $6,000–$13,000. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether a safety recall is warranted for the M264 engine across all affected GLE350, GLC300, C300, and E350 vehicles.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11741934 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
31

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 14software faults 7electrical shorts 4
A recent report: While driving on the highway on three separate occasions the blind spot warning will pop up and show as inoperative, next the active break assist warning flashes as inoperative, and then the entire…
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While driving on the highway on three separate occasions the blind spot warning will pop up and show as inoperative, next the active break assist warning flashes as inoperative, and then the entire vehicle shows as inoperative and loses all acceleration and breaks down. This has happened three times. Stayed over night at the dealership they “drove it for 70 miles” it didn’t happen to them. They released the truck back to me saying it was perfectly fine. A day later it happened again while on the highway. Highly unsafe!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11746371 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 1
A recent report: I can be driving on a flat surface with out the car been on eco mode and the car shuts off for no reason without and light on the dash board I have to wait a few secs to restart the car ,brakes don't…
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I can be driving on a flat surface with out the car been on eco mode and the car shuts off for no reason without and light on the dash board I have to wait a few secs to restart the car ,brakes don't stop like they should very loud grinding noise and comes. I have report this problem lots of times and my car was not fix it stay more in the shop then with me the car senc don't work the light up red like if someones next to me

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11479876 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 W. APROX: 30,000 MILES. PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO, WHEN IT HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN DRIVING AT TIMES THE PASSENGER REAR SHOCK WILL START MAKING SQEAKING /…
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2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 W. APROX: 30,000 MILES. PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO, WHEN IT HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN DRIVING AT TIMES THE PASSENGER REAR SHOCK WILL START MAKING SQEAKING / CREAKING NOISES. BEEN LIKE THIS FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR NOW. I DONT DRIVE THE VEHICLE VERY OFTEN, BUT WHEN I DO DRIVE IT IT IRRITATES ME. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE SHOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS, NO ABNORMAL RIDE QUALITY, ETC.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11740482 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
10

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 2software faults 1
A recent report: Sunroof makes loud, high pitched noise when it’s windy or driving high speeds. Sunroof complaints found online for bad seals or components of sunroof being bad or unaligned. Sounds could cause driver…
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Sunroof makes loud, high pitched noise when it’s windy or driving high speeds. Sunroof complaints found online for bad seals or components of sunroof being bad or unaligned. Sounds could cause driver not to hear other safety issues with vehicle as well as leaking if water.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11708279 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
7

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1electrical shorts 1
A recent report: See attached letter for complaint

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11756442 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 83 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2020 and 2026, roughly 15 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.