NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 32 recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450.
Complaints about the 2020 GLE 450 center most heavily on the electrical system and engine, with a secondary cluster around vehicle speed control. The most-noted electrical issue involves the engine wiring harness, owners describe the insulation becoming brittle or melting from engine compartment heat, leading to misfires, loss of power, and a check engine light. A handful of owners also report headlight assembly and control module failures, with error messages appearing on the infotainment display as the components degrade. On the engine side, reports of reduced acceleration and power loss track closely with the wiring harness complaints. A smaller number of owners report problems with speed control systems. Isolated complaints mention air conditioning refrigerant leaks affecting cooling and windshield defrost, and early rear shock absorber failure on low-mileage vehicles.
26
Total Complaints
By System
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 has 32 recalls, the most serious involving multiple fire risks: an electrical ground connection under the passenger seat can overheat, a fuel filler pipe weld can leak fuel near ignition sources, and fuel injectors on gasoline-engine models can leak as well.
Incorrectly installed air conditioner drain hoses, covered across several filings, can allow water to pool in the foot wells and corrode or short-circuit electrical components, also raising fire risk. The rear crossmember may have inadequate welds that allow it to crack under towing loads and detach, becoming a road hazard. The transmission software can cause unexpected engine stalls in certain conditions.
Several recalls affect occupant restraint and cabin safety. The passenger-side windshield may not be properly bonded and can separate in a crash, reducing airbag effectiveness. The dashboard surface may come loose and interfere with passenger airbag deployment. Wiring under the electrically adjustable second-row seat can get pinched and prevent rear side airbags from deploying. The middle rear seatbelt buckle can fall into a gap below the seat cushion and become unreachable. Seats on some vehicles were assembled incorrectly and may not properly restrain occupants. Third-row headrests may lack sufficient padding or a secure mounting rod.
On the electronics and driver assistance side, stability control software can pull the vehicle to one side during an evasive maneuver, and the front radar system for automatic emergency braking may not function correctly. A wiring fault tied to
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
The 48-Volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be properly secured, which can cause it to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the 48-Volt ground connection 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 transmission may fail to downshift completely in certain conditions, which can cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the transmission control unit software at no cost to you.
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 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 ground cable bolt for the 48V electrical connection under the front passenger seat may not be properly tightened, which can cause the cable to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the ground cable bolt as needed at no charge.
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
Manufacturing debris may be trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, potentially causing fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors at no cost.
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 communication module may have been turned off during service, disabling the Emergency Call function that connects your vehicle to emergency services.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the communication module and reactivate it if needed, at no cost to you.
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 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 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 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 windshield may not be properly bonded to the vehicle, which could cause it to separate during a crash and reduce the effectiveness of the passenger frontal air bag.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the windshield bonding and repair 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 piston seals in the front struts and rear shock absorbers may leak, causing these suspension components to fail prematurely.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front strut assemblies and rear shock absorbers 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 third-row headrests have insufficient padding and a securing rod that may fail to hold the headrest in place, affecting how the headrest adjusts and operates.
What the fix does
Mercedes-Benz will replace the third-row headrests at no charge. Recall begins February 4, 2020. Call 1-800-367-6372.
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.