Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Exterior lighting recall
If the reverse light remains illuminated in a gear other than reverse, it may cause confusion about the driver's intention to other motorists, and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lighting control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 10, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022050004.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will secure the middle seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020110005.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Body & glass recall
A separated windshield may reduce the effectiveness of the passenger air bag restraint system and increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify the owner, and a dealer will inspect the windshield bonding and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020080014.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
Damaged wires may cause the rear side air bags to not deploy as intended. Additionally, the driver may not be warned if the second row right seat is not locked into place correctly after using the "Easy Entry" function. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wiring harness as necessary, and repair any wire damage, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020050009.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
The headrest may not properly protect the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify dealers, and MBUSA will replace the third row headrests on the affected vehicle, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 4, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
Improperly adjusted head restraints increase the risk of injury to the third row seat passengers in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealer's will provide a supplementary owner's manual booklet with the necessary information, free of charge. The recall began November 22, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019090005.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Fuel system recall
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019090001.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Structure recall
Water in the passenger compartment may affect the vehicle's electrical systems, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will seal the affected area, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019060007.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA has notified dealers. All affected vehicles are still within the manufacturer's control. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019070011.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
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
5
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
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 System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 29,201.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11562001 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
8
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
This past week, I went to the dealer for an intermittent engine light issue. The problem was minor and was fixed (faulty charcoal sensor). I asked to have my spark plugs replaced as well. The service department called me, and said that the engine harness is brittle and if they accessed.. it could break. This was not considered an immediate issue. Quote was $7300 to replace it. This seemed like a defect rather than an standard wear issue (even though I drive a lot, @ 170K highway miles). My car drives like new, and has had no major issues whatsover. In fact, it is only now that I need to have my rotors replaced. Had I not mentioned that I wanted new spark plugs, the issue would not have came up during the service. I hope that you can look into this, as other Mercedes GLE 450 owners make have the same issue as I. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11583127 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
1
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
The tire tread on the Cooper 275/50R20 tires was worn down almost completely after 16,000 miles. The tires are the original tires that the vehicle was purchased with and are rated to 50,000 miles. When the dealer serviced the vehicle, they noted that the tires were not safe to drive on due to there being almost no tread left at just 16,000 miles. They also stated that they had seen multiple cars with the same Cooper tires that lasted only 10,000-16,000 miles despite being rated to 50,000 miles. They also indicated that Cooper has taken 6+ months to respond to requests for replacement tires under the warranty and vehicle owners have had to go out of pocket to buy replacement tires themselves since the worn out tires are unsafe to drive on and they can't wait 6+ months for a response from the manufacturer with replacement tires. Additionally, they flagged that the tires are dangerous since most vehicle owners don't check their tires after only 10,000-16,000 miles and have no idea that they are driving on tires with little to no tread that could fail at any time. The tires have been saved by the dealership and are available for inspection. Additionally, there is a video documenting the tires while still on the vehicle. These tires should be recalled for defective wear and Cooper held accountable for failing to acknowledge and fix this huge safety issue.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11468794 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
2
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.
Read full complaint
I receive a passenger airbag warning message every time I start the vehicle. Took to Mercedes dealer 2/10/2023 and they diagnosed the airbag problem as being caused due to the failure of the weight sensor in the passenger seat. NO ETA on a part to fix the weight sensor in the seat and was given the vehicle back to drive as normal, despite the passenger airbag being disabled (vehicle is still under factory warranty period). Have returned the vehicle to the dealer again on 4/20/2023 and 5/30/3023 to try and expedite a fix but both times was told there was no ETA on a part to fix the weight sensor in the seat and was given the vehicle back to drive as normal, despite the passenger airbag being disabled. I opened an escalation with Mercedes Benz USA (ERM - Executive Referral Management team) on 7/7/2023 and they called the Mercedes dealer to confirm the airbag issue and tie to the bad weight sensor in the seat. The dealer re-confirmed with Mercedes Benz USA that they do not have an ETA to fix the passenger seat weight sensor, hence no way to fix the airbag malfunction. As I submit this on 8/14/2023 I still do not have a functioning passenger airbag and no ETA to get this issue resolved, despite trying for over 6 months. This has and continues to pose an incredible safety concern for passengers that ride in this vehicle as the airbag won't deploy if in an accident. Another unintended consequence is that the chime/ding to remind passengers to fasten their seat belt is disabled as it's also tied to the malfunctioning weight sensor in the seat. This is my only vehicle and I don't have any alternatives given I cannot sell this vehicle without a working airbag.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11538406 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH POWER SEATS ON THE SECOND ROW. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON FIGURED OUT HOW TO USE HIS RIGHT FOOT TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON I-95. THIS CAUSED HIS TETHERED CAR SEAT TO SLIGHTLY PIVOT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SEAT RUBBED AGAINST THE MIDDLE SEAT. I CALLED MB USA IN GEORGIA TO REPORT. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO LOCK THE CONTROL SO KIDS CAN'T MOVE THE SEATS. THEY TOLD ME MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO MOVE CHILD TO MIDDLE SEAT, WHICH WON'T WORK WHEN MULTIPLE YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IF RECOMMENDED I CAN ALSO POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA SO THAT PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN ARE AWARE. I ASKED MB TO BUY BACK THE CAR SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BUT THEY DECLINED.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11390021 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2020 has 17 complaints on file, fewer than the 2016 (25) and more than the 2021 (12). Of the 3 model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLE450 we cover, the 2016 has the most (25). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.