AI Damage2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and steering. The maker issued 83 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 83
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 33% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Steering: 2 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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 | 2 | 1 | 22 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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.
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.
It does a hard shift gear change. Feel like I got kicked by a horse in the rear. I have changed out front and rear differential gear oil and I changed out the transmission fluid and filter. It still does it. I'm thinking it's something in the ECM or TCM firmware since the dealer refuse to update the firmware for me.
The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle loss motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired.
There is a recall # 17v241 on this vehicle, and the letter received from the manufacturer states that there is an increased risk of crash due to the power steering connector not being sealed properly, and there is currently no solution or parts to fix it. What are my rights? Have talked to the manufacturer to no avail.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GLE 400 has 4 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
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 Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic…
Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective 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…
- 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 Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic…
Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective…
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering…
- Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available"
Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio 8.Traffic Cams Cause MB Apps is sundowned for all vehicles with…
- Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns
It will also ensure that if a case is necessary, all supporting documentation is available. This should not be used on its own as justification for creating a TIPS case. Cause The root cause will vary depending on the…
- Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid…
Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid specification ATF 236.17 due to a global supply constraint. 236.17 ATF 1L and 5L (PNs: A002989060312 and A002989060313)…
- 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 Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/…
- Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD…
Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following…
NHTSA lists 83 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, steering, fuel system. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (33%), fuel system, fuel smell (17%), jerking, harsh shifts (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400?
NHTSA lists 83 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 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 2016 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.