YearToAvoid

2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

83/100

#2 most-complained of 7 Gle450 years

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

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 carries a complaint index of 83, the second-worst among 7 model years, and gets an Avoid verdict. It has 25 complaints, 11 recall campaigns, and 4 reported crashes, with engine and electrical issues topping the list.

Complaints
25
Recalls
11
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 23 hwy

Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 problems

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

  1. Engine9 (36%)
  2. Electrical System8 (32%)
  3. Fuel System5 (20%)
  4. Structure & Body5 (20%)
  5. Steering4 (16%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (12%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (12%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain3 (12%)
  9. Brakes1 (4%)
  10. Other1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe the transmission unexpectedly shifting into neutral or lunging forward while parking or braking, in some cases causing a collision.
  • The power steering has reportedly failed suddenly at low speed, in one case leading to a crash into a guard rail with no airbag deployment.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle shutting off completely when the brake pedal is pressed, even after a related recall repair was performed.
  • The eco start/stop feature has been described as confusing, with owners saying the car can lurch forward when they lift off the brake believing it is off.
  • Owners report the sunroof glass shattering spontaneously while driving with no prior signs of damage.
  • A rear camera-linked system reportedly shifted the vehicle into drive at high speed while reversing, causing it to hit a fence and tip over.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 complaints: complaints filed per month10Jul 2016Aug 2017Oct 2018Jul 2021Jan 2023Sep 2024Jun 2025
42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Aug 2025; peak Aug 2022 (10).

2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 recalls

11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

    Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021Structure & Body15,096 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

    Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

See all 11 recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 →

2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
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.

2016 compared with other Gle450 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002016201720202021202220232024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Avoid83251120
2017No verdict001—
2020Caution67263221

All Mercedes-Benz Gle450 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Gle450 a complaint index of 83, the second-highest (worst) among the 7 model years tracked, and an Avoid verdict relative to other Gle450 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Gle450?
Engine complaints make up 36% of reports, followed by electrical system issues at 32% and fuel system issues at 20%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Does the 2016 Gle450 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2016 Gle450, covering areas including structure/body, fuel system, suspension, airbags, and steering.
What year Gle450 should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 and 2024 model years both carry Avoid verdicts, while 2023 has the lowest complaint index at 17 and a Best verdict.
Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2016 Gle450?
NHTSA complaints tied to the 2016 Gle450 include 4 reported crashes and 2 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths.

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.