AI Damage2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle300d reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle300d filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 68 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 68
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Engine: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Structure: 1 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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 | 0 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 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.
The rear collision alert system has a design flaw. The sound adjusted by technician to 100% is barely audible by the driver, and typically at or after impact. It is also not linked to the car dash sound system, so the radiio does not shut off its volume. In this instance, the audible alarm is inaudible.
While driving at night the vehicle headlights are very dim. On a deserted road such as the road through denali national park visibility is approximately 40 to 50 ft. At night. Also because of the nature I if the beam seeing more than 15ft. In fog or snow is extremely impeded. The beam creates a halo starting at 15ft.
Since the time I purchased this car, the brakes have repeatedly made loud squealing noises. Mercedes has repeatedly examined the car and told us it is fine and not dangerous. They have never fixed the noise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz gle300d. While driving 40 mph, the engine began making a loud noise. The contact stated that the engine and transmission mounts failed without warning.
After stopping, when the car transmission is in drive mode. If the driver presses the keyless ignition button to off, the car transmission switches to neutral mode. This causes rollover risk. If the driver does not see that the car is in neutral, the car can roll and cause collision and risk to people around.
The left side exterior mirrors do not pivot out far enough to allow the driver to see the blind spot beside the rear section of the vehicle if the driver has his seat moved in the rear-most positions. This has cause several near-hit situations with me when merging into traffic.
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 11,587 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Gle300d has 5 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
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.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine 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 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 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…
- 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 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…
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA ("MBUSA") is extending the coverage for the exhaust valve…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of additional benefits that Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is providing to you regarding your vehicle ownership. This warranty extension is fully independent of all…
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC will provide an Extended Modification Warranty for each vehicle that has received…
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC will provide an Extended Modification Warranty for each vehicle that has received the Approved Emission Modification. The Extended Modification Warranty period shall be the greater of: (i) 10…
- Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain…
Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2012-2016 Mercedes-Benz Model 212, 221, X204 and 166 vehicles (E250 BLUETEC, E250 4MATIC BLUETEC…
- This NCU replaces the prior NCUs issued on May 18, June 25, 2020 and October 1, 2020 and contains…
This NCU replaces the prior NCUs issued on May 18, June 25, 2020 and October 1, 2020 and contains important workshop instructions on how the HVAC Service Warranty repair must be carried out. To enhance the satisfaction…
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle300d?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (14%), headlights and tail lights (14%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle300d?
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle300d 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.