NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
Water can collect in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, potentially causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 has 7 recalls, the most serious being a fuel pump control unit that can be damaged by water pooling in the spare tire well, causing the engine to stall while driving, and a front suspension component that can leak oil and create a fire risk.
Two recalls affect airbag performance: the front passenger airbag's occupant classification sensor can malfunction, and a separate issue with the passenger frontal airbag inflator means the bag may not deploy properly in a crash, leaving the front passenger without full protection in either case. The electric power steering system can also lose assist if water reaches the steering control unit, making the wheel significantly harder to turn. On the visibility side, low-beam headlights on certain vehicles were not properly aimed at the factory and can reduce the driver's view of the road ahead. There is also a software fault in the emergency call system where an incorrect date and time can cause the vehicle to report the wrong location to emergency responders during a call.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can collect in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, potentially causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
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Dealers will install a water drain plug, check for water damage, and replace the fuel pump control unit if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
What the fix does
Mercedes-Benz will send a remote software update to your vehicle. Dealers will verify the update worked or install a new communication module software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Oil in the Active Curve System reservoir can foam and leak from the cap's vent holes when the oil level drops below minimum during certain driving conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will adjust the oil level as needed and replace the reservoir sealing cap to stop oil foam from leaking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Excess insulation in the bulkhead may extend into the lower windshield area, potentially compromising windshield bonding and reducing the passenger front airbag's protective function in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove excess insulation and rework windshield bonding as needed to restore proper airbag function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric power steering connector may not be properly sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat occupant detection system may be incorrectly calibrated, causing it to mistakenly identify an adult as a child seat and disable the front passenger airbag.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the occupant detection system software at no cost to restore proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low beam headlights may not be properly adjusted, causing the headlights to fail to meet federal safety standards for lamp performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and adjust the headlights as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.