VehicleVerdict

2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Gle550e years?

Gle550e NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted4 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 4 complaints2018: 0 complaints
Gle550e NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gle550e years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System150%
Body & Structure150%

Does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e have recalls?

5 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.

19V787000OtherNovember 1, 2019 · 24,226 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

17V828000OtherDecember 18, 2017 · 64 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes GLE 550e 4MATIC vehicles. The tire pressure label on the B-pillar lists incorrect seating capacity and front and rear tire dimension information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FVMSS) number 101, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

Applying incorrectly sized tires to the vehicle will affect the speedometer reading, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tire pressure label, replacing it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

17V241000SteeringApril 11, 2017 · 58,323 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V903000AirbagsDecember 15, 2016 · 47,799 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THIS GLE 550$ 2016 LESS THAN 18 MONTHS WITH 5800 MILES. ELECTRICAL CHARGE OUTLET DOOR IS POSING SAFETY PROBLEMS. IT IS LOCATED HORIZONTALLY IN THE REAR BUMPER. THE SOLENOID VALVE EITHER UNLOCKS ITSELF DURING DRIVE, OR CANNOT BE CLOSED. DURING RUNNING THE DOOR OF THE OUTLET IS OPEN. THE CARS BEHIND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2017

“THIS GLE 550$ 2016 LESS THAN 18 MONTHS WITH 5800 MILES. ELECTRICAL CHARGE OUTLET DOOR IS POSING SAFETY PROBLEMS. IT IS LOCATED HORIZONTALLY IN THE REAR BUMPER. THE SOLENOID VALVE EITHER UNLOCKS ITSELF DURING DRIVE, OR CANNOT BE CLOSED. DURING RUNNING THE DOOR OF THE OUTLET IS OPEN. THE CARS BEHIND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 1, 2017

2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e — common questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gle550e under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.