2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (10) · Fuel/Propulsion System (6) · Vehicle Speed Control (4)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
25 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (9)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump:control/Drive Module 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V955000 · 348,183 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Suspension:front 2018-04-27 · campaign 18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-10-17 · campaign 17V655000 · 3,620 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG and GLE63S AMG Coupe, and 2017 GLS450 4Matic, GLE550 4Matic, and GLE63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. These vehicles may have excess bulkhead insulation extending into the lower windshield area, possibly affecting the windshield bonding and the full protective function of the passenger's frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: 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.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove any excess bulkhead insulation and rework the windshield bonding, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner letters will be mailed in December 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available in late January 2018. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018020002. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2017-04-11 · campaign 17V241000 · 58,323 vehicles
Defect: 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, allo
Risk: If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-02-08 · campaign 17V079000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE350 4Matic and GLS 450 4Matic vehicles. The windshield bonding may be insufficient and, as a result, the windshield may separate from the vehicle in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk: 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.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm 2017-02-08 · campaign 17V081000 · 37 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic Bluetec, GL450 4Matic, and GLE450 Coupe 4Matic vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that connects the upper control arm and the axle stub may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: The loose bolt may cause improper wheel tracking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the bolt connecting the upper control arm and the axle stub on the affected vehicles, replacing the upper control arm if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2016-12-15 · campaign 16V903000 · 47,799 vehicles
Defect: 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 cla
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2016-10-20 · campaign 16V759000 · 2,215 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GLE 300d 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 350 4MATIC, and GLE 400 4MATIC vehicles manufactured October 14, 2015, to November 23, 2015. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Risk: If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (122)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Engine 2026-09-17 · LI20.10-P-075374 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint red coolant warning in instrument cluster. fault codes u019f00 or u019f87 current/stored in mrg1 control unit. cause various causes remedy perform guided test for fault code u019f with xentry diagnosis. verify the following connections are clean and tight. correct any problems and retest p
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Showing the 6 most recent of 122 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-23 · Vehicle Speed Control“on 8/28/2026, my mercedes-benz gle 350 (w166, m276 engine) experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine stall while driving in active traffic. there was no check engine light (cel), dashboard warning, or mechanical hesitation prior to the failure. the vehicle instantly lost all propulsion, power steering, and power braking assist, creating an extreme…”
2026-09-06 · Steering“while driving my 2016 mercedes-benz gle 350, the vehicle suddenly shut off and lost propulsion without warning. there was no check-engine light or other warning before the failure. the engine would crank afterward but would not restart, leaving the vehicle disabled. the vehicle has an open nhtsa safety recall (22v-955) involving the fuel pump contr…”
2026-08-09 · Power Train“at 72,000 miles the rear differential failed. repair required else car could abruptly stop rolling, become uncontrollable and cause a serious wreck. the part is over $5,000…”
2026-04-10 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 133,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz gle350. the contact stated that while opening the door, a cracked fuel injector was spraying gasoline. when the door handle was pulled, an aftermarket module ignited the fuel, causing an explosion and heavy smoke from the engine compartment. the contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer previ…”
2025-08-05 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“while waiting for traffic signal to change with foot on break pedal, the suv accelerated suddenly and lurched forward and rear ended the car ahead of me! luckily, it was a hummer with a tire mounted on the rear door and damage occurred only to my mb. front end has severe damage, hood buckled and headlight broken! it was a spooky experience! 'chk br…”
2025-03-31 · Steering · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz gle350. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was coming from the steering box. no warning light was illuminated. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. in addition, the contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 17v241000 (…”
2025-02-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“this has previously been reported, but nhtsa email indicated i needed to file formal complaint. fuel injector(s) leaked while vehicle parked overnight in driveway. ecu detected fuel and subsequent ignition/spark caused "explosion' blowing out engine intake manifold (appx 50-75 pieces found). all 6 injectors and intake manifold required replacem…”
2025-02-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“vehicle sitting in driveway. fuel injector leakage and resultant engine control unit detecting fuel set off spark which resulted in explosion under hood. completely destroyed engine intake manifold (over 100 pieces found), and requires all (6) new fuel injectors. due to core return value, i will not be keeping injectors, but they have been ins…”
2025-02-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“car has caught on fire due to (as diagnosed by certified mb mechanic) leaking from fuel injector(s). issue is known to many mb mechanics. issue does have a recall for other (non gle350) models in this same year (2016). request recall issued! request assistance with having mb warranty/repair problem…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.