2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 has a complaint index of 38, ranked 6th of 9 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It carries 40 complaints, 7 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, making it a better year than the 2020-2022 Avoid years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 38/100
- #6 of 9 Gle350 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 40
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 18 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 1
Top 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electric power steering has failed while driving, triggering warning messages and in one case loss of steering control leading to a low-speed collision.
- Some engines have unexpectedly lurched or accelerated without driver input, including a parking-lot incident and a case where the vehicle surged forward after the brake hold feature released.
- The transmission has been reported to lunge forward at a stop even while the brake pedal was depressed, resulting in a collision.
- Low beam headlights have been described as too dim for safe night driving, with dealers unable to resolve the issue after bulb adjustments.
- The infotainment/navigation screen has repeatedly frozen and rebooted, sometimes recurring after backing out of a garage.
- A tire has lost pressure repeatedly and developed a sidewall bubble despite 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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 model a complaint index of 38 and a Good verdict, ranking 6th out of 9 model years for this model. It has fewer reported problems than the 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2018 Gle350?
- Electrical System issues lead with 10 complaints (25% share), followed by Brakes and Transmission & Powertrain with 7 complaints each (18% share apiece).
- Does the 2018 Gle350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 Gle350, covering the fuel system, electrical system, suspension/tires, brakes, and the panoramic sunroof. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Gle350 should I avoid instead of 2018?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75 respectively, all worse than the 2018 model's index of 38.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2018 Gle350?
- NHTSA lists 40 complaints for the 2018 Gle350, including 5 crashes, 2 injuries, and 1 death.