2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 ranks worst of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 89 complaints, and 27 recall campaigns. Engine issues make up 44% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 25%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 9 Gle350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 89
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 27
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine39 (44%)
- Electrical System22 (25%)
- Other13 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (10%)
- Brakes7 (8%)
- Fuel System6 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (7%)
- Lane Departure5 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (4%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles stalled unexpectedly at stops or while driving on the highway, sometimes with lunging when shifting into gear.
- Adaptive cruise control reportedly reset itself to a much higher speed and accelerated without driver input.
- Owners described the transmission making thumping or revving noises and jolting during deceleration or first-gear shifts.
- Brakes reportedly failed with no warning, and in one case the parking brake activated on its own and would not release.
- The infotainment screen, including the backup camera and navigation display, reportedly went blank for extended periods.
- The vehicle shut off by itself at low speed in a parking lot, requiring the driver to restart it manually.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 recalls
27 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V177000Mar 17, 2023HVAC61,450 vehicles
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, 2021 AMG GLE53, AMG GLE63, Maybach GLS600, AMG GLS63, and 2020 GLE580 vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.
Risk: Water intrusion into the foot wells may cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components, increasing the risk of fire. In addition, the emergency call (eCall) feature may be disabled and the doors may not unlock, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the engine may not start or may enter a limp-home mode, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 21V-288 and 19V-587. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023030014 and 15.
- NHTSA 22V680000Sep 12, 2022Structure & Body161,000 vehicles
Structure:body
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, 2021-2022 AMG GLE53, 2020-2021 GLE580, GLS580, and 2021 GLE400e, AMG GLS63, AMG GLE63 S, and Maybach GLS600 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the rear door window trim bars may detach.
Risk: Detached trim bars may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the rear window trim bars, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022090010.
- 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.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 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.
2020 compared with other Gle350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Gle350 ranks worst among the 9 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 89 complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Gle350 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Gle350?
- Engine problems account for 44% of complaints (39 complaints, median mileage 39,500), and electrical system issues account for 25% (22 complaints, median mileage 15,000).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Gle350 have?
- NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns for the 2020 Gle350, covering areas including HVAC, structure and body, electrical system, collision avoidance cameras, and visibility and wipers.
- Which Gle350 model years are better than 2020?
- Other years fare better, including 2018 (Good, complaint index 38), 2023 (Good, complaint index 25), and 2024 (Best, complaint index 13), all with fewer complaints and lower complaint index scores than 2020.
- Does the 2020 Gle350 have a camera recall?
- Yes, recall campaign 22V232000 covers a rearview camera software update for certain 2018-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles including the GLE-Class.