2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 9 Gle350 years
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 ranks worst of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 89 complaints, and 27 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 44% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 39,500.
- Complaints
- 89
- Recalls
- 27
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden stalling at stop lights and stop signs, with the engine cutting out unexpectedly at highway speeds.
- Some describe the vehicle lunging forward when shifting into gear.
- The distronic cruise control reportedly reset itself to a much higher speed than set, matching a misread speed limit sign, and accelerated on its own.
- Owners report the radio, backup camera, and navigation screen going blank for up to a day or two after the car was turned off.
- Some report the car turning off by itself at low speed in a parking lot while the accelerator was pressed, with the engine needing to be restarted manually.
- Brake-related reports include the parking brake activating suddenly at low speed and not releasing, and one report of brakes failing entirely at highway speed.
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?
- Among the 9 model years with data, 2020 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, with 89 complaints and 27 recalls. Its verdict is Avoid relative to other Gle350 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Gle350?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 44% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 39,500. Electrical system issues follow at 25% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 15,000.
- Does the 2020 Gle350 have recall issues?
- NHTSA lists 27 recalls for the 2020 Gle350, covering areas including HVAC drain hoses, rear window trim bars, communication module software, rearview camera software, a prefuse box wiring harness, seat assembly, LED headlights, and multimedia system software. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Gle350 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2016 (63), 2017 (50), 2018 (38), 2021 (88), 2022 (75), 2023 (25), and 2024 (13), making it the worst-ranked year among the 9 with data.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Gle350?
- EPA rates the 2020 Gle350 at 22 mpg combined (19.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,650.