2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Problems & Complaints

Not enough data

Owners have filed 62 complaints about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There isn't enough complaint history for the GLE350 to compare model years reliably. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (13 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles). 7 recalls cover this model year.

62complaints
7recalls
6crashes
0fires
2injuries
0deaths

Most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 problems

  • Other / not specified~35,000 miles
    1626%
  • Electrical system~20,000 miles
    1321%
  • Lights~10,000 miles
    813%
  • Speed control & acceleration~20,000 miles
    813%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~0 miles
    711%
  • Steering~23,000 miles
    711%
  • Brakes~47,000 miles
    58%
  • Equipment & accessories
    46%
  • Engine & cooling~47,000 miles
    46%
  • Body & structure~30,000 miles
    35%
  • Seat belts~4,000 miles
    23%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    23%
  • Stability & traction control~27,000 miles
    23%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~18,000 miles
    12%
  • Suspension
    12%
  • Locks & latches
    12%
  • Air bags~85,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 62 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz GLE350 complaints by model year

2016201720182019202020212022202320242025202653624019156411621106
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz GLE350. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best GLE350 years: 2019. Years to avoid: 2020, 2021, 2022. Compare all years →

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 recalls (7)

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module

NHTSA recall 22V-955 · Dec 23, 2022 · 348,183 vehicles

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.

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.

Communication › Auto crash notification

NHTSA recall 21V-072 · Feb 12, 2021 · 67 vehicles

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.

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.

Communication › Auto crash notification

NHTSA recall 21V-058 · Feb 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles

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.

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.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 17V-816 · Dec 18, 2017 · 8,700 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLS450, GLE63S 4Matic, GLS63 4Matic, S550e, S600, S63 AMG 4Matic, S65 AMG, S550, Mercedes-Maybach S600, Mercedes-Maybach S550 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE63S 4Matic Coupe,…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left rear door lock, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018.

Latches/locks/linkages

NHTSA recall 17V-077 · Feb 8, 2017 · 5,882 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE 400 4Matic, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 350, GLE 550E 4Matic, GLE 63 AMG, GLE 63S AMG, GLE 43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE 63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLS 450 4Matic, GLS 550 4Matic, and GLS 63 AMG 4Matic vehicles.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the center console so that it remains latched in a crash, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early March 2017.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 16V-903 · Dec 15, 2016 · 47,799 vehicles

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…

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.

Show 1 more recall

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 16V-759 · Oct 20, 2016 · 2,215 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 owners say

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the center digital screen failed to function as intended while attempting to use the safety features. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the command control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,340.

65,000 miles · Sep 2025

Rear trunk lid seal leaking water in rear cargo compartment caused damage to fuel pump. I was driving on a main busy road when without warning the car shut off. The traffic light was about to change so the person behind me was slowing down luckily. There was no warning light, indicator or sound the car just stopped . It stopped in the middle of the road impeding traffic as it stopped near a 4- way intersection at a busy time of day. The car was towed to dealer after extensive examination it was found to be a leak in rear trunk seal. There was no visible damage to seal or water damage in cargo area. I was told this is problem know to Mercedes as they have issued a bulletin on how to repair it. This has been happening for years without a resolution to this problem. …

Apr 2024

Lights

I purchased a 2017 MB GLE 350 in 2022. But it's only recently where I've noticed that my halogen headlights do not provide enough light on the road during night time driving. Especially in the rain. I've researched a bit and see that MANY consumers have complained about the headlights, but there is no solution as MB does not offer an aftermarket upgrade. I either have to drive with my high beams on,or not drive at night. The other alternative is to buy another car which is ridiculous. For the price of this car, the exterior lighting should be better.

Mar 2024

We purchased a used 2017 GLE 350 two years ago from a Mercedes dealership. The first year or so I had not driven it at night as during Covid when we did go out after dark we usually took my husband's vehicle and he drove. When I finally did drive the GLE at night I found that I had trouble seeing the road at any reasonable distance from the front of the car and that there is almost no illumination of the roadside even very close to the vehicle. When I mentioned this to my husband he said he had not had an issue with it but since I did we would take it to the dealership and have the headlights checked. At this point I've driven it quite a few times at night and know that if I was on an unfamiliar road with no roadside lighting it would be dangerous to drive, consequently I'm afraid to drive my own car at night. …

Mar 2021

Speed control & acceleration

The contact owned a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while slowing at approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn to pull into a driveway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a fence and came to a stop. The contact had not sustained any injuries, and medical attention was not needed. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that the fence was damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure but was taken to be repaired. The contact then stated that approximately a year later while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, into ongoing traffic at a cross street. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The contact also attempted to turn off the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to turn off. …

85,000 miles · May 2023 · crash · 1 injury

Car took off after going over railroad track, and accelerated without driver being able to control it. The breaks and steering went out as well. It's like car was being driven remotely. Crashed into fence, and there was no warning. The car accelerated. The car bounces back and forth when brakes are on, and again last year stopped in the middle of traffic. Water damage was leaking in as well after 8 months having this car. First major incident was December 2024, but rocking and began one month after purchasing vehicle in August of 2024. Acceleration incident; December 2024: 4 months after purchase; vehicle stopping in traffic: April 2025 8 months after purchase. Apparently new tires were put on. Almost had a blow out within 1 year and 4 months of purchase and found out when getting oil changed this past December 2025. …

Dec 2025 · crash

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.5L 6-cyl7-speed automaticRWD18 / 23 / 20

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 a good car?

There isn't enough complaint history for the GLE350 to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350?

The electrical system — 13 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the lights (8) and speed control & acceleration (8).

How many recalls does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350, the most recent from December 23, 2022 (control/drive module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz GLE350?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2021 and 2022. See the full Mercedes-Benz GLE350 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 20,000 miles; 84% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.