Mercedes Benz GLE350 years to avoid (and the best years)
172 NHTSA owner complaints and 28 recalls across 6 model years, 2016 to 2022. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 172complaints
- 28recalls
- 18reported crashes
- 1reported fires
- 14reported injuries
Which Mercedes Benz GLE350 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes Benz GLE350 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes Benz GLE350 year has 26 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2017 (62).
What are the best Mercedes Benz GLE350 years?
The Mercedes Benz GLE350 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (11), 2022 (12) and 2018 (26). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 0.5× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2021 | 11 | 0.4× | 4 | 2 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 35 | 1.3× | 9 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2018 | 26 | 1.0× | 3 | 3 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2017 | 62 | 2.4× | 7 | 6 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 26 | 1.0× | 7 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Steering |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 58 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain15 (26%)
- Electrical & infotainment13 (22%)
- Structure & body11 (19%)
- Other systems6 (10%)
- Brakes5 (9%)
Recalls (28)
Electrical system · 23V835000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2021, 2022
An overheated ground connection can increase the risk of a fire.
Structure · 23V178000 · Mar 2023 · model year 2022
Detached trim bars may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fuel system · 22V955000 · Dec 2022 · model year 2017
An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Steering · 22V936000 · Dec 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 21V832000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2021
Detached rear glass can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 21V123000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2018
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.
Safety · 21V072000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2017
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.
Electrical system · 21V058000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2017
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Exterior lighting · 21V056000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2020
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.
Seat belts · 20V671000 · Oct 2020 · model years 2020, 2021
An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Transmission · 20V627000 · Oct 2020 · model year 2020
If the transfer case disconnects from the rear axle differential the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V430000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2020
If a driver's seat fastener bolt fails, the seat may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Electrical system · 20V226000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2020
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.
Safety · 19V648000 · Sep 2019 · model year 2020
Improperly adjusted head restraints increase the risk of injury to the third row seat passengers in the event of a crash.
Fuel system · 19V572000 · Aug 2019 · model year 2020
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Structure · 19V459000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2020
Water in the passenger compartment may affect the vehicle's electrical systems, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Airbags · 19V458000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2020
An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Brakes · 18V539000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 18V512000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
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.
Suspension · 18V272000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2016
The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 17V816000 · Dec 2017 · model year 2017
If the door appears to be locked, the door may be unintentionally opened, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V655000 · Oct 2017 · model year 2016
If the passenger's frontal air bag does not function as designed in the event of a crash, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Steering · 17V241000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2016
If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 17V079000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2016
If the windshield detaches in the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may not be supported properly after it deploys, increasing the risk of injury.
Suspension · 17V081000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2016
The loose bolt may cause improper wheel tracking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V077000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash, if objects are not secured within the center console, they may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V903000 · Dec 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
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.
Exterior lighting · 16V759000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.