2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 has a complaint index of 67, ranks 3rd worst of 7 model years, and carries a Caution verdict with 26 complaints and 32 recall campaigns, mostly tied to the Electrical System.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 Gle450 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 26
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 32
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System15 (58%)
- Engine13 (50%)
- Other4 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (12%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (8%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Lane Departure1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- 48V battery malfunction warnings appear together with coolant overheating alerts, sometimes causing the engine to shut off and the car to lose power on the highway.
- Complete electrical system failures leave warning lights, exterior lights, and brake lights stuck on, sometimes preventing the vehicle from restarting.
- Adaptive cruise control fails to disengage or respond to input, keeping the car at set speed even when the driver tries to slow down or cancel it.
- Command control unit faults disrupt navigation, voice control, Bluetooth, and other vehicle apps, both parked and while driving.
- Power seats in the second row can be moved by a child's foot while driving, shifting a tethered car seat out of position.
- Rear seat belts have failed with dealers reporting no replacement parts available.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 recalls
32 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V207000Mar 15, 2024Electrical System116,020 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GLE 350, 2020-2024 GLE 450, 2020-2023 GLS 580, GLE 580, 2019-2023 GLS 450, 2021-2023 Maybach GLS 600, AMG GLS 63, 2021-2024 AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 53 Coupe, and AMG GLE 63 S vehicles. A 48-Volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connection overheating.
Risk: An overheated ground connection can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the 48-Volt ground connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024040002.
- NHTSA 24V118000Feb 16, 2024Transmission & Powertrain105,071 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 GLE 450 and GLS 450 vehicles. The transmission may not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the transmission control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- 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.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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 Gle450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Gle450 a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among 7 model years tracked for this model.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Gle450?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 58% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 4,950 miles; issues include 48V battery malfunctions and full electrical shutdowns.
- Does the 2020 Gle450 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns tied to this model year, including transmission software that could cause stalling, a 48V ground cable bolt issue, and rearview camera software.
- How does the 2020 Gle450 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 67 is worse than 2021 (33), 2022 (50), and 2023 (17, rated Best), but better than 2016 (83) and 2024 (100), both rated Avoid.