NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 27 recalls and 82 owner complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350.
Engine complaints dominate the 2020 GLE 350, with owners frequently describing cooling system failures tied to a cracked or failed coolant line beneath the intake manifold. Owners report sudden coolant loss leading to overheating and, in some cases, the engine stalling while driving, several note this happening at highway speeds with little warning. A dashboard warning telling the driver not to continue driving is a recurring detail in these reports. Powertrain complaints overlap with the engine cluster, with some owners describing the transmission slipping into a neutral-like state after shifting into drive or reverse, leaving the vehicle unable to move. Electrical system complaints round out the picture, though with less volume and less consistent symptom patterns. A separate thread of complaints involves the panoramic sunroof glass cracking or shattering spontaneously, with owners describing the glass breaking while the sunroof was fully closed.
82
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 has 27 recalls, the most serious being fire risks from a fuel tank filler pipe that can leak fuel near ignition sources and from improperly installed air conditioner drain hoses that let water into the footwells, where it can cause electrical short circuits.
On the structural side, rear crossmember welds may be insufficient, and when towing, the crossmember can detach and become a road hazard. A welding error may also have left a small hole in the floor that lets water into the cabin and affect electrical systems. The driveshaft locking ring may not be correctly installed, which can sever power to the rear axle and cause the vehicle to stall.
Several recalls involve seats and occupant restraint. Seats on some vehicles were assembled incorrectly and may not hold an occupant in a crash. A driver's seat bolt may be missing and allow the seat to shift. On vehicles with electrically adjustable second-row seats, wiring under the seat can get pinched during adjustment and prevent rear side airbags from deploying. The center rear seatbelt buckle can fall into the seat cushion gap and become unreachable, leaving that occupant unrestrained. The passenger frontal airbag may also deploy late or incompletely in a very hot cabin.
The dashboard surface may not be properly bonded, which can block the passenger airbag from inflating correctly in a crash. On vehicles with the optional illuminated front grille star, a wiring issue can knock out power steering assist, the wiper
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
Air conditioner drain hoses may be incorrectly installed, allowing water to drain into the passenger compartment instead of outside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air conditioner drain hoses and reinstall them correctly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trim bars around the rear door windows may come loose and detach due to a manufacturing error.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear window trim bars and secure them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call (eCall) system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated at no cost through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error prevents the rearview camera from displaying the backup image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost to restore the backup image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness connecting to the prefuse box in the engine compartment may not be properly secured, which could cause fused components like power steering assist, headlights, and wipers to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the prefuse box at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seats may have been assembled incorrectly during manufacturing, potentially affecting their function or safety.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your seats and repair them if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
LED headlights may have been incorrectly adjusted during a repair, causing them to not meet federal lighting standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the LED headlights at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to go black or restart after startup, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying properly.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the multimedia system software, or you can receive the update over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air conditioner drain hoses may have been installed incorrectly, allowing water to drain into the passenger compartment instead of outside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air conditioner drain hoses and correct the installation as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During sharp evasive maneuvers, the Electronic Stability Program software may apply torque unevenly to a front wheel, causing the vehicle to pull to one side.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Electronic Stability Program software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The dashboard surface may not be properly secured to its base material, which could cause it to shift or separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire dashboard at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lighting control unit may malfunction, causing the left exterior reverse light to stay on even after shifting out of reverse gear.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the lighting control unit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The middle seat belt buckle can be pushed down into the gap below the seat cushion during buckling. If trapped there, the buckle becomes inoperable and cannot restrain a passenger.
What the fix does
Dealers will secure the middle seat belt buckle to prevent it from dropping into the gap.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The illuminated star logo in the front grille may have an improperly installed electrical ground connection, which could affect other components sharing that ground, including power steering control, wipers, and the left headlight.
What the fix does
Dealers will relocate the ground connection to restore proper electrical function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The locking ring connecting the front and rear sections of the drive shaft may not be properly installed, which could cause power transfer to fail between the transfer case and rear axle differential.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the drive shaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One of four bolts securing the driver's seat may not have been installed correctly and could fail.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect and tighten the driver's seat fastening bolts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness under the electrically adjustable second-row seat may become pinched when the seat is adjusted, potentially damaging the wires.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring harness, reroute it if needed, and repair any wire damage at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The welds on the rear crossmember may be weak, allowing cracks to develop during towing that could cause the rear crossmember to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear crossmember at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster software may turn off the lights on certain interior switches (switch bar, overhead controls, steering wheel) when hazard lights are on and the ignition is off.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore proper switch illumination.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trim around the rear door windows may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear door window trim and fasten it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting the third row seat head restraints, which fails to meet federal safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will provide a supplementary manual booklet with head restraint adjustment instructions at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air conditioner drain hoses may be incorrectly installed, allowing water to drain into the passenger compartment instead of outside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and correct the air conditioner drain hoses as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weld connecting the fuel filler pipe to the fuel tank may be faulty, which can cause fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the radar sensor control unit may reduce or disable the Active Brake Assist system's ability to function properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radar sensor control unit software at no cost to restore proper system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A welding error during manufacturing may have created a small hole in the floor, which could allow water to leak into the passenger cabin.
What the fix does
Dealers will seal the affected area at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a crash during high cabin temperatures, the passenger front air bag may deploy slowly or not fully deploy.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.