AI Damage2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 E reliability: common problems
The maker issued 68 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 68
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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…
- 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 vibration…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the…
- Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance
A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the A-pillar (Figure 1) D: After…
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in…
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause…
- Complaint Head-up display permanently or sporadically unavailable - with warning message in driver display…
Complaint Head-up display permanently or sporadically unavailable - with warning message in driver display (see attachment) Head-up display permanently or sporadically unavailable - without warning message in driver…
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the…
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in…
- In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for…
- Complaint In vehicles without codes REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT (854/447/864) and 903 REAR COMFORT SEAT…
Complaint In vehicles without codes REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT (854/447/864) and 903 REAR COMFORT SEAT HEATING (903) or REAR COMFORT PACKAGE (P08), the rear seat heating cannot be activated via voice control. However, the…
- Complaint MBUX head unit display with red text box "System Inoperative"
ONLY for vehicles with SA code (549+21U) or (549+U19). Cause Head unit software variant. Remedy For all chassis use Xentry to update head unit (A26/17). Target boot software number should be either: • 247 904 6600…
- In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the…
NHTSA lists 68 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 E?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 68 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 E?
NHTSA lists 68 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 E from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.