Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Best and Worst Years (2016–2024)
Avoid the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350, which carry complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75 and top the recall counts with 27, 14, and 7 campaigns. The 2024 model year scores lowest at a complaint index of 13 and is rated Best.
- Model years
- 9
- 2016–2024
- NHTSA complaints
- 350
- Recall campaigns
- 51
- Crashes reported
- 23
- Fires reported
- 8
- Top problem area
- Engine
Gle350 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Caution | 63 | 53 | 4 | 4 | 9 | Fuel System | 19.5 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 50 | 62 | 6 | 0 | 7 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 38 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 7 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 100 | 89 | 3 | 1 | 27 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 88 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 14 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 75 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 7 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 25 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 21.5 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 23.5 | — |
Gle350 years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Index 100 · 89 complaints · 27 recalls
The 2020 GLE350 has the highest complaint index of all years, at 100, with 89 total complaints and 27 recall campaigns. Engine problems make up 44% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 39,500. Electrical System issues follow at 25%, with owners reporting dashboard shutdowns, foul smells, and a fire incident. Recalls cover HVAC drain hoses, loose rear window trim bars, and a communication module software update. Brake-related complaints describe sudden loss of control and reported brake failure requiring towing.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Index 88 · 48 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2021 GLE350 carries a complaint index of 88 across 48 complaints and 14 recalls. Engine complaints account for 50% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 74,000. Electrical System issues are 21% of complaints, median mileage 29,000, including reports of engine shutdown on the highway and a parked-vehicle fire. Recalls address a misrouted acceleration sensor wiring harness affecting airbag deployment, a fuel pump replacement, and a loose 12-Volt ground connection under the driver seat that can overheat.
2022 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Index 75 · 35 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2022 GLE350 has a complaint index of 75 from 35 complaints and 7 recalls. Engine issues are 34% of complaints, median mileage 21,000, including a reported cooling system failure and overheating at highway speed. Fuel System problems make up 20% of complaints. Electrical System complaints, 11% of the total at a median mileage of 7,600, include a fire attributed to a component under the passenger seat. Recalls shared with 2021 cover the airbag wiring harness, fuel pump, and 12-Volt ground connection.
Most common Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine104 (30%)
- Electrical System81 (23%)
- Other73 (21%)
- Fuel System45 (13%)
- Brakes33 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras24 (7%)
- Steering20 (6%)
- Structure & Body17 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers16 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Mercedes-Benz GLE350 should I avoid?
- Avoid the 2020, 2021, and 2022 GLE350. They rank as the top three worst years with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75 respectively, and 2020 alone has 27 recall campaigns.
- Which Mercedes-Benz GLE350 year is best?
- The 2024 GLE350 is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of 13 across the model's 9 covered years, and only 7 complaints and 3 recalls.
- What is the most common problem on the Mercedes-Benz GLE350?
- Across all years, Engine complaints are the largest category at 104 complaints, or 30% of the total 350 complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 23%.
- Does the 2020 or 2021 GLE350 have engine problems?
- Yes. Engine complaints make up 44% of 2020 complaints (median failure mileage 39,500) and 50% of 2021 complaints (median failure mileage 74,000).
- Are the 2016 and 2017 GLE350 safe to buy?
- They are rated Caution rather than Avoid, with complaint indexes of 63 and 50. The 2016 model's top issue is the Fuel System, while the 2017 model's top issue is the Electrical System.