NHTSA (USA)High Risk
This page covers 14 recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350.
Engine complaints dominate the 2021 GLE 350's complaint picture, with owners frequently reporting sudden loss of power while driving, the engine stalling or dying under acceleration, and a reduced-power or "limp" state that can recur even after repairs. Several owners describe a pattern where the vehicle cuts out on the road, restarts briefly, then stalls again when the throttle is applied. No-start and no-crank conditions after overnight parking also come up across multiple reports. Visibility and electrical complaints each account for a smaller but notable share, with electrical issues including multiple warning lights illuminating simultaneously, often coinciding with the power-loss events. A recurring theme in the engine complaints is that the problem returns after dealer service, suggesting some owners are dealing with repeat visits for the same stalling and reduced-power symptoms.
45
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 has 14 recalls, the most serious including a fuel pump that can shut down without warning and cut drive power, a loose steering coupling screw that can detach and cause complete loss of steering control, and an electrical ground connection under the driver's seat that can overheat and start a fire.
Two separate issues can also lead to fire: air conditioner drain hoses routed incorrectly can send water into the footwells, where it corrodes wiring and can cause a short circuit, and the steering and fire risks together make early attention worthwhile. On the occupant safety side, a misrouted wiring harness near the front acceleration sensor can prevent front airbags from deploying in a crash, and the middle rear seatbelt buckle on 5-passenger models can slip down into the seat gap and become impossible to retrieve, leaving that position unbelted. The rear window may also be inadequately bonded to the tailgate and can detach, becoming a hazard for other drivers.
Stability and visibility have their own concerns: the electronic stability control software can pull the vehicle to one side during sharp evasive maneuvers, and LED headlights may be misaimed after prior service, reducing forward visibility at night. The backup camera display can go black or reboot on startup, and rear door window trim bars can detach and fall onto the road. Two recalls cover the automatic emergency call system, which can either fail entirely or send responders to the wrong location after a crash. Interior switch illumination can also fail, making controls harder to find while driving
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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 →
At a glance
What can fail
The front acceleration sensor's wiring harness may be routed incorrectly, preventing the front air bags from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and reroute the wiring harness 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 fuel pump may unexpectedly shut down, causing the engine to lose power while driving.
What the fix does
The fuel pump will be replaced at no cost to you at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A 12-volt ground connection under the driver seat may not be secured properly, causing it to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and secure the 12-volt ground connection as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
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 screw that locks the steering coupling to the steering gear can loosen or come off, which could cause you to lose control of the steering.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering coupling locking screw at no cost to you.
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
The rear window may not be properly bonded to the tailgate, which could cause the rear glass to detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear window 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
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 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 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.
