YearToAvoid

2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#5 most-complained of 9 Gle350 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 5th worst out of 9 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 62 complaints, 7 recalls, and 6 crashes, led by Electrical System problems (34% of complaints).

Complaints
62
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
18 city / 22 hwy

Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System21 (34%)
  2. Other20 (32%)
  3. Engine11 (18%)
  4. Brakes7 (11%)
  5. Fuel System7 (11%)
  6. Steering7 (11%)
  7. Structure & Body4 (6%)
  8. Seat Belts2 (3%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (3%)
  10. Airbags1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Electronic shifter reportedly stayed in neutral after the driver turned off the vehicle and released the brake, causing a rollaway condition with no audible warning.
  • Owners report the brake hold function releasing on its own at a stop, letting the vehicle roll forward and, in one case, rear-end another car.
  • The adaptive high-beam headlight system reportedly switched into high beam when low beam was expected, blinding oncoming and preceding traffic.
  • Owners describe halogen low-beam headlights as too dim for nighttime or rainy driving, making it hard to judge the road.
  • The cruise control lever, positioned like the turn signal, reportedly caused sudden unintended acceleration when pulled while signaling a turn.
  • The plastic fuel tank reportedly ruptured from road debris impact due to a missing protective shield, causing fuel to leak out within minutes.
2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 complaints: complaints filed per month6Mar 2017Dec 2017Nov 2018May 2021Sep 2022Oct 2023Jul 2024Feb 2026
84 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2017 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2021 (6).

2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V072000Feb 12, 2021Other67 vehicles

    Communication

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

    Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

  3. NHTSA 21V058000Feb 5, 2021Other1,292,258 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication: auto crash notification

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

    Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

See all 7 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 →

2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
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.

2017 compared with other Gle350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201620172018201920202021202220232024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution6353919.5
2017Caution5062719
2018Good3840719
2019No verdict012—

All Mercedes-Benz Gle350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 Gle350 a Complaint Index of 50, ranking it 5th worst among the 9 model years with data, earning a Caution verdict relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350?
The Electrical System accounts for 34% of complaints (21 of 62), followed by Engine issues at 18% and Brakes, Fuel System, and Steering each at 11%.
Does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2017 Gle350, covering areas including the fuel system, structure and body (door lock and center console), airbags, and electrical headlight adjustment, with none classified as do-not-drive.
How does the 2017 Gle350 compare to other model years?
The 2017 Gle350's Complaint Index of 50 is lower than 2020 (100), 2021 (88), and 2022 (75), which carry Avoid verdicts, but higher than 2018 (38, Good) and 2024 (13, Best).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.