2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
38/100
#6 most-complained of 9 Gle350 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 has a Complaint Index of 38 and ranks 6th out of 9 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Gle350 years. NHTSA lists 40 complaints and 7 recalls for this year, with Electrical System issues the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 40
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 18 city / 22 hwy
Top 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System10 (25%)
- Brakes7 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (18%)
- Fuel System5 (13%)
- Other5 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (13%)
- Engine4 (10%)
- Structure & Body3 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
What owners report
- Electric power steering can fail suddenly while driving, sometimes producing a fault code for a shorted steering rack and leading to a loss of control.
- Owners describe the vehicle lunging or lurching forward unexpectedly at a stop while the brake pedal is still depressed.
- Some report the vehicle creeping or accelerating forward on its own when the brake-hold feature is released, with the brakes failing to stop it.
- Headlights are described as too dim for nighttime driving, with dealers unable to resolve the issue after bulb adjustments.
- The information/navigation display reportedly freezes and reboots repeatedly, sometimes shortly after starting the vehicle.
- Tires have been reported losing air pressure repeatedly, with sidewall bubbling appearing after reinflation.
2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 recalls
7 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 22V365000May 20, 2022Electrical System242,722 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
- NHTSA 21V123000Feb 26, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires2,529 vehicles
Tires
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE43 AMG, and GLE400 vehicles equipped with Continental tires. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030008.
2018 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.
2018 compared with other Gle350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Gle350 ranks 6th out of 9 model years with a Complaint Index of 38, giving it a 'Good' verdict relative to other Gle350 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350?
- Electrical System issues make up 25% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Transmission & Powertrain at 18% each, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 Gle350, covering the fuel system, electrical communication module, tires, brakes, and a panoramic sunroof bonding issue.
- How does the 2018 Gle350 compare to other years?
- The 2018 model has a lower Complaint Index (38) than 2016 (63), 2017 (50), 2020 (100), 2021 (88), and 2022 (75), but a higher index than 2019, 2023, and 2024.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350?
- EPA rates the 2018 Gle350 at 19 mpg combined (18 city/22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.