VehicleVerdict

2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 55 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Gle 350 year — the 2018 model ranks #3 of 8 Gle 350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (8), electrical system (8), and transmission (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

55

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Gle 350 years?

Gle 350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted128 complaints2018: 55 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 128 complaints2021: 69 complaints2022: 46 complaints2023: 26 complaints2024: 8 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Gle 350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gle 350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System815%
Fuel System815%
Transmission713%
Brakes611%
Other59%
Tires & Wheels59%
Lighting47%
Speed Control35%
Body & Structure35%
Steering24%
Driver Assistance24%
Airbags12%
Engine12%

Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V955000Fuel SystemDecember 23, 2022 · 348,183 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

22V365000OtherMay 20, 2022 · 242,722 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V123000Tires & WheelsFebruary 26, 2021 · 2,529 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE43 AMG, and GLE400 vehicles equipped with Continental tires. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

Consequence

Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030008.

21V072000OtherFebruary 12, 2021 · 67 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

Consequence

A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

21V058000OtherFebruary 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Consequence

Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

18V539000BrakesAugust 16, 2018 · 9,044 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.

Consequence

Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080013.

18V512000Visibility & WipersAugust 3, 2018 · 4 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, and GLE43 AMG vehicles. During manufacturing, components of the panoramic sunroof may have been installed with a bonding primer that was incorrectly made, possibly affecting the long-term adhesion to the vehicle.

Consequence

If the front cover and/or rear fixed glass are not properly adhered, they may detach, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 7, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 30, 2023

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC; Case: XXX My concerns has been denied and overlooked by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC multiple times since Jan 2026--interims of defective electric system causing sudden locking of steering wheel and shut down car , due to malfunctioning electric system resulting in car crash into…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 31, 2025 · crash

The contact owned a 2018 Mercedes-Benz 350 GLE. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light at an intersection, the vehicle began to lunge forward while the brake pedal was still depressed. The vehicle lurched into the intersection and struck another vehicle. The contact stated he did not…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 8, 2021 · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a pharmacy parking lot with the hold feature engaged, the driver released the brake pedal. Immediately afterward, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward approximately 75 feet. The driver…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 7, 2026 · crash

AROUND 1/24/2020, TIRE LOSS PRESSURE TO 32 PSI FROM 38 PSI. TIRE WAS INFLATED TO 38 PSI, BUT ONE WEEK LATER, THE TIRE LOST PRESSURE AGAIN. AFTER INFLATION, THIS TIME IT MAINTAINED THE PRESSURE A LITTLE BIT LONGER. BUT ON 2/21/2020, TIRE LOST PRESSURE AGAIN, AFTER INFLATION TO 38 PSI THIS TIME, THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 22, 2020

2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 — common questions

Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 55 complaints put the 2018 model at #3 of 8 Gle 350 years. It is one of the Gle 350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Gle 350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (8 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), transmission (7 complaints).

Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Gle 350 years to avoid are 2020, 2021, 2018. The cleanest record among Gle 350 years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.