2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 has 53 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and a complaint index of 63, ranking 4th worst among 9 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven largely by fuel system complaints tied to fires.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #4 of 9 Gle350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 53
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 18 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System16 (30%)
- Engine11 (21%)
- Electrical System10 (19%)
- Other10 (19%)
- Steering10 (19%)
- Brakes5 (9%)
- Airbags4 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (8%)
- Lane Departure2 (4%)
- Structure & Body2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Fuel injectors reportedly leaked and ignited, causing fires under the hood, in some cases while the vehicle sat parked.
- Owners describe the transmission jumping forward violently while shifting into park, in one case causing injury.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a head-on collision, resulting in driver and passenger injuries.
- Drivers report sudden unintended acceleration while braking or reversing, with brakes failing to stop the vehicle in time.
- Owners receiving the steering recall notice reported delays getting parts, with one contact told Mercedes-Benz could not guarantee the vehicle was safe to drive in the meantime.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V955000Dec 23, 2022Fuel System348,183 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.
- NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Communication
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
- NHTSA 18V272000Apr 27, 2018Suspension, Wheels & Tires9,725 vehicles
Suspension:front
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Gle350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 53 complaints and 9 recalls for the 2016 model year, giving it a complaint index of 63 and a Caution verdict relative to other Gle350 years.
- What problems does the 2016 Gle350 have?
- The top problem area is the fuel system, accounting for 30% of complaints and including reports of fires and fuel injector leaks. Engine, electrical, and steering issues each account for roughly a fifth of complaints.
- Does the 2016 Gle350 have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. Recall 22V955000 covers water intrusion that can affect the fuel pump control unit, and the fuel system is also the top complaint area with 16 complaints and 3 reported fires.
- How does the 2016 Gle350 compare to other years?
- It ranks 4th worst out of 9 years with a complaint index of 63. Years 2020, 2021, and 2022 rank worse with Avoid verdicts, while 2018, 2023, and 2024 rank better with Good or Best verdicts.
- What is the median mileage for fuel system failures in the 2016 Gle350?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 59,831 miles at the time of the fuel system complaints.