Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle was delivered to the dealer on July 13, 2026 at 33,360 miles with an illuminated check engine light. The dealer diagnosed intake camshaft timing faults and found pieces of the central valve screen in the engine oil filter. The camshaft bearing housing was replaced and the repair declared complete on July 15, but the check engine light returned the next day. On August 19 the dealer removed the cylinder head and found an internal oil passage that was restricted and clogged, which they stated may have caused insufficient oil flow and contributed to the camshaft timing failure. On August 24, Mercedes-Benz Engineering directed replacement of the complete engine. No replacement engine is available in the United States; one must be shipped from Germany, with a tentative arrival of October 19, 2026. …
On multiple occasions, the vehicle has unexpectedly lost acceleration while driving. Specifically, while traveling on the highway, the vehicle will suddenly drop speed and fail to respond when pressing the accelerator. This creates a dangerous situation, as I am unable to maintain speed with surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a collision. This issue appears to occur without warning and significantly impacts the safe operation of the vehicle. A sudden loss of power on a high-speed roadway is extremely hazardous and poses a risk to both myself and other drivers.
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting a few minutes, the vehicle was restarted; however, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the engine while driving. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a cylinder head had cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving on two occasions at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and lost motive power. The vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving 65-70 MPH, the vehicle was skipping. The contact immediately veered towards an exit ramp. The contact noticed knocking sounds coming from the engine, and the vehicle stalled on the exit ramp. There was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had imploded and sustained a hole. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer took the engine apart and informed the contact that the cause of the engine implosion could not be determined even with the assistance of the engineers. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact then brought an independent mechanic to the dealer to inspect the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was jerking and bucking while attempting to enter a highway. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to drive the vehicle normally. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that she had observed the check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was blinking. The contact stopped and restarted the vehicle to reset the check engine warning light. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #2, and the cylinder needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle entered LIMP Mode but continued to operate with reduced motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine control unit failure causing the engine to run lean, resulting in misfires in cylinders #1 and #2 and damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine had failed a pressure test and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle was idling low. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to a NHTSA recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Critical fasteners
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC300, 2024 GLE350, and GLE450 vehicles equipped with an M254 engine. The incorrect screws, installed on the high-pressure fuel pump, may prevent a proper seal from forming between the high-pressure fuel pump and the tandem oil pump.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz GLE350 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (34), 2021 (28), 2022 (12) and 2016 (8) model years. Engine complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz GLE350 engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 23V-878 (critical fasteners, Dec 21, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz GLE350 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions), followed by the cooling system › fan (1).
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.