AI DamageMercedes-Benz GLE 400: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 across 4 model years: 16 owner complaints and 151 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 19% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 13% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 94.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 93.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 45.
- Steering: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 94 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 93 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 45 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When the vehicle is in drive and you open the door it shifts to park. However, if the vehicle is in drive and you turn it off, the vehicle shifts to NEUTRAL. This causes the vehicle to roll with the engine off.
Trailer recognition module shows fault B164213, "The output for the left rear turn signal lamp has a malfunction. There is an open circuit." The vehicle has 77,488 miles.
The vehicle is shifting into neutral when putting it into drive. I was told the transmission valve body broke and transmission control unit for 9-speed transmission (VGS) has to be replaced.
The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was 12,000. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 86,000. The VIN was not available.
I park at the Mall and after two hours, start the car again to go home the front panel shows "Power Steering Malfunction See owners manual" and the steering has not assistance which makes hard to drive. The steering is hard to maneuver.
The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
- Complaint Noises in the steering column area when steering. See example file in the attachments area
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner
- Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available"
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns
- Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid…
Other models of this make
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.