AI Damage2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. The maker issued 132 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 132
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 22% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Tires: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 36 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
Vehicle hesitates when accelerating.occurs frequently, mostly at low speeds or when accelerating from a stopped position. Does not happen all the time.dealership is unable to replicate when test driving. Mb chat room indicates this is a common problem w/o a fix.
Vehicle is equipped with halogen headlights which are of poor performance. As such it is not possible to see the roadway. Mercedes claims performance per specifications. At highway speeds not enough lighting to allow for a safe stopping distance. Situation worsens with rain or snow making the lights almost disappear.
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 mercedes benz gle400. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlamp beam projected was insufficient for safe vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to mercedes- benz of danbury located at ([address], danbury ct.) who was unable to detect a failure with the headlamps.
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 11,368 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GLE 400 has 4 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system 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 Noises in the steering column area when steering. See example file in the attachments area
"MRSM‑Schleifgeräusch_SCCMGrindingNoises. MOV". Cause Under analysis. Remedy Check which area of the steering column the noises occur in. Do the noises tend to occur at the bottom in the driver footwell or do they tend…
- 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…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner
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 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/…
NHTSA lists 132 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, exterior lighting, powertrain. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (11%), hesitation when accelerating (11%), headlights and tail lights (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400?
NHTSA lists 132 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 2019 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 2019 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.