Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2018
29,058 new Mercedes-Benz GLE cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were Germany (9,353), the United Kingdom (6,945), Italy (2,495).
- Average mass
- 2,222 kg
- Average CO₂
- 250 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 205 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 83% · Petrol 15% · Petrol/electric 2.5%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE cars on Dutch roads are the 3.0 diesel (190 kW, 255 hp), 3.0 petrol (287 kW, 385 hp) and 3.0 petrol (245 kW, 329 hp), out of 5 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 diesel | 190 kW 255 hp | 137 |
| 3.0 petrol | 287 kW 385 hp | 67 |
| 3.0 petrol | 245 kW 329 hp | 46 |
| 3.0 hybrid | 245 kW 329 hp | 38 |
| 5.5 petrol | 430 kW 577 hp | 22 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
356 first registered in 2018 are on Dutch roads; 75% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €126,298.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde114
- Band onvoldoende profiel93
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm64
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld51
- Band beschadigd27
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af19
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht15
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage12
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
5,276 cars built in 2018 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 134 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 6,078 of these cars first registered in 2018 took their annual MOT test. 89% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2018 the figure was 84%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Brakes | 1.5% | 2.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.4% | 0.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.2% | 4.0% |
| Visibility | 1.1% | 3.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.8% | 1.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
17 of these cars first registered in 2018 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 119,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
233 2018 cars are on the New Zealand register; 4% arrived as used imports, 93% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.5 L/100 km (about 17 mpg US), CO₂ 317 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLE 550 4MATIC · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Premium gasoline | 15.2 | 11.4 | 13.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10167785 | G-Class Facelift 2018: Fault message "ABS, ESP inoperative, see operator's manual" |
| 10167577 | Since 12/2012 (model 166) and since 06/2013 (model 242) the glass breakage loops are no longer in the side windows and rear window. Suitable interior protection ensures that the interior monitoring function continues to operate correctly. |
| 10167565 | A flapping/rattling noise can be heard from the area of the center console towards the rear. |
| 10167554 | Engine diagnosis warning lamp activated. Fault code P045600 "Very fine leak" or P044200 "Fine leak" stored in engine control unit. |
| 10167550 | Single, throttle lift-off, clunking noise from the side shaft when starting off (audible at the wheel). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). |
| 10167549 | Thumping noises at the front axle when driving over road bumps |
| 10167548 | 1. In vehicles up to VIN 166 ### #A 097760 without code 803, the following fault code is logged in the quick test: P1C9B00. The control unit 'Roll control' has a malfunction. 2. In vehicles up to VIN 166 ### #A 097760 with code 803 or vehicles as of VIN 166 ### #A 097761, the following fault code is logged in the quick test: P1C9564. The rotation direction valve of the torsion bar ''Front axle'' has a malfunction. |
| 10167532 | A production fault means that the telematics DVD A 166 827 14 00 cannot be used. Because of this the previous telematics DVDs A 204 827 03 65 and A 204 827 10 65 must continue to be used for control unit programming. If required, these are still available for ordering. With XENTRY DVD 03/2014 a new telematics DVD with part number A 166 827 21 00 is being shipped. This telematics DVD replaces the previous telematics DVDs. |
| 10167525 | Apple products (iPhone or iPod) are not charged via the serial USB interface of the COMAND Online control unit (A40/3) in the stowage compartment of the center console. |
| 10167524 | Sound system: Intermittent loss of sound after engine start |
| 10167521 | Cracking noises or squeaking noises at the doors in the area of the window frame while driving, especially when driving on rough roads. |
| 10167519 | Belt holder/ retaining tab on side paneling in trunk is broken |
| 10167504 | Brake linings on rear axle exhibit differential wear |
| 10167502 | ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM malfunction in instrument cluster in combination with the following fault codes in the ACS control unit: P100000: The oil pressure at the front axle is too low. (Veh. up to approx. 7/2012) P100200: The oil pressure at the rear axle is too low. (Veh. up to approx. 7/2012) P1C9C00: The oil pressure at the front axle is too low. (Current veh.) P1C9E00: The oil pressure at the rear axle is too low. (Current veh.) In addition, the following complaints may occur depending on symptoms: Gushing/flow noises from the front or rear axle area when cornering. Oil leaking via the |
| 10167501 | Rumbling noises from the area of the front axle. |
| 10167042 | The complete headliner can no longer be replaced for loose headliner magnets. As described in AR68.30-P-4300GQ, 2-component adhesive A 005 989 09 71 is to be used for gluing on the headliner magnets. Any missing magnets can be reordered as of 03/2014. |
| 10167041 | Oil spray or fouling on the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM is not related to leakage of the hydraulic pump. |
| 10167015 | The key is not recognized in the electronic ignition switch, the vehicle cannot be started and/or the automatic transmission may perform an "Automatic P function" at speeds below 6 km/h. |
| 10167014 | The rear seat heating cannot be activated when the customer has set the ambiance illumination to "Neutral" and "Stage 1" or "Stage 2" in the instrument cluster. |
| 10167012 | The liftgate can no longer be opened when the ambiance illumination is set to stage 1 or 2. |
| 10167008 | Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up. Fault code 20B91B, 20B913 (The output for the heating element of the AdBlue pressure line has an electrical fault or an open circuit) is stored in the SCR control unit. |
| 10167006 | Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit. |
| 10166999 | Cracking, clunking noise when braking the vehicle to a stop or when moving off, when the suspension compresses and rebounds at the front axle. Sometimes a single jolt can also be felt at the steering wheel. |
| 10166990 | Thumping noises from front axle when driving over bumps on road. |
| 10166978 | Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up - Fault code entry (FC) 14A600 or 14A700 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)