2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 7 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
4
Recalls
7
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
5,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 2 of 4 complaints (50%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (1) and steering (1) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 5,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 has 7 recalls on file.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train2
Fuel system, gasoline1
Steering1
Vehicle speed control1

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 complaints that list mileage.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 recalls (7)

  • Recall 22V955000Dec 23, 2022348,183 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: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.

  • Recall 19V787000Nov 1, 201924,226 vehicles
    COMMUNICATION

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

  • Recall 18V272000Apr 27, 20189,725 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.

    Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

  • Recall 17V655000Oct 17, 20173,620 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG and GLE63S AMG Coupe, and 2017 GLS450 4Matic, GLE550 4Matic, and GLE63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. These vehicles may have excess bulkhead insulation extending into the lower windshield area, possibly affecting the windshield bonding and the full protective function of the passenger's frontal air bag in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the passenger's frontal air bag does not function as designed in the event of a crash, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove any excess bulkhead insulation and rework the windshield bonding, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner letters will be mailed in December 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available in late January 2018. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018020002. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

  • Recall 17V241000Apr 11, 201758,323 vehicles
    STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, E400 4Matic Coupe, GL63 AMG, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic and GLE63S AMG Coupe 4Matic vehicles, 2017 E300 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles, and 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic BlueTec, GL450 4Matic, and GL550 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.

    Risk: If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing the rack as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  • Recall 16V903000Dec 15, 201647,799 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic Bluetec, GL550 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe, GLE450 4Matic, 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE350, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, and 2017 GLS63 AMG vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, to May 10, 2016. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration may be incorrect, and as a result, the system can incorrectly classify the occupant as a child seat, deactivating the front passenger air bag.

    Risk: If the front passenger air bag does not deploy as necessary in the event of a crash, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  • Recall 16V759000Oct 20, 20162,215 vehicles
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 GLE 300d 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 350 4MATIC, and GLE 400 4MATIC vehicles manufactured October 14, 2015, to November 23, 2015. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

    Risk: If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Recent 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 14, 2024PACrashTransmission & Drivetrain
    When the vehicle is in drive and you open the door it shifts to park. However, if the vehicle is in drive and you turn it off, the vehicle shifts to NEUTRAL. This causes the vehicle to roll with the engine off.
    NHTSA complaint #11614613 · source
  2. Filed Jun 25, 2024MDSteering
    I park at the Mall and after two hours, start the car again to go home the front panel shows "Power Steering Malfunction See owners manual" and the steering has not assistance which makes hard to drive. The steering is hard to maneuver.
    NHTSA complaint #11596423 · source
  3. Filed Jul 1, 2022MDAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    Sometime when I press on the gas. It does a hard shift gear change. Feel like I got kicked by a horse in the rear. I have changed out front and rear differential gear oil and I changed out the transmission fluid and filter. It still does it. I'm thinking it's something in the ECM or TCM firmware since the dealer refuse to update the firmware for me. I'm leaning towards a firmware issue since I'm outdated (never been updated).
    NHTSA complaint #11471973 · source
  4. Filed Jul 13, 20215,000 miMATowedFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle loss motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11424642 · source

Compare the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 with another vehicle →

Other 2016 Mercedes-Benz models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology