2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own

Known issues

• The 48-volt mild-hybrid ground connection can overheat (NHTSA recall 24V207, fire risk); owners also report sudden 48-volt and electrical-system failures.

  commonly reported · 30 NHTSA complaints · electrical

• Brittle engine wiring harness that can chafe or short, plus reports of sudden internal engine failure with metallic knocking and loss of power.

  commonly reported · 20 NHTSA complaints · engine

• Cracked coolant line beneath the intake manifold causing sudden coolant loss and overheating risk.

  occasional · 12 NHTSA complaints · engine

• MBUX infotainment freezing or unresponsiveness and intermittent electronic-module and rear-camera faults.

  commonly reported · 25 NHTSA complaints · electrical

• Rough shifting, hesitation and occasional power-loss complaints from the 9-speed automatic and powertrain.

  occasional · 25 NHTSA complaints · transmission

Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.

Recalls & safety

NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

• EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER #21V288000 · 23/04/2021

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 AMG GLE 53, 2020 GLE350, GLE450, GLE580, GLS450, and GLS580 vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040024.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE #22V365000 · 20/05/2022

  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.

  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.

• STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS #20V172000 · 20/03/2020

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE350, GLE450 AND GLS450 vehicles. The seams on the rear crossmember may have been insufficiently welded. This may allow cracks to form when towing, possibly causing the rear crossmember to detach from the vehicle.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear crossmember, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060013.

• FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR #19V540000 · 19/07/2019

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300 Cabrio, C300A Cabrio 4MATIC, C300 Coupe, C300 Coupe 4MATIC, C300, C300 4MATIC, C43 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, C43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, C43 AMG 4MATIC, C63 AMG Cabrio, C63S AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C63 AMG, C63S AMG, CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E300, E300 4MATIC, E450 Cabrio, E450 Cabrio 4MATIC, E450 Coupe, E450 Coupe 4MATIC, E450 Wagon 4MATIC, E450 4MATIC, E53 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, E53 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, E53 AMG 4MATIC, E63S AMG 4MATIC, E63S AMG Wagon 4MATIC, S450, S450 4MATIC, S560 Cabrio, S560 Coupe 4MATIC, S560, S560 4MATIC, S560 4MATIC Maybach, S63 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, S63 AMG 4MATIC, S65 AMG Cabrio, S65 AMG, and AMG GT53 Coupe 4MATIC vehicles, and 2020 GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLE350 4MATIC, and GLE450 4MATIC vehicles equipped with the Driver Assistance Package. A software error in the radar sensor control unit may impair the functionality of the Active Brake Assist.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the radar sensor control unit software, free of charge. The recall began September 13, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080008.

• SEATS #21V818000 · 18/10/2021

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLS450, GLS580, GLE350, GLE450, AMG C63, and 2021 AMG GLE53 vehicles. The seats may have been assembled incorrectly.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the seats, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021110010.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS #22V098000 · 18/02/2022

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE 350 vehicles. The wiring harness connected to the prefuse box in the engine compartment might not be properly secured, which could deactivate fused components, such as power steering assist, headlights, and wipers.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the prefuse box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM #23V177000 · 17/03/2023

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, 2021 AMG GLE53, AMG GLE63, Maybach GLS600, AMG GLS63, and 2020 GLE580 vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 21V-288 and 19V-587. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023030014 and 15.

• BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA #21V354000 · 14/05/2021

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL #20V089000 · 14/02/2020

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA250, CLA250 4MATIC and CLA35 AMG 4MATIC, 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLE450 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC and GLS580 4MATIC and 2021 GLE53 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG 4MATIC, GLS63 AMG 4MATIC and Maybach GLS600 4MATIC vehicles. The instrument cluster software may deactivate the illumination of certain interior switches (switch bar, overhead control unit, steering wheel) if the hazard lights are turned on and the ignition switch is in the 'off' position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030019.

• STRUCTURE:BODY #22V680000 · 12/09/2022

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, 2021-2022 AMG GLE53, 2020-2021 GLE580, GLS580, and 2021 GLE400e, AMG GLS63, AMG GLE63 S, and Maybach GLS600 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the rear door window trim bars may detach.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the rear window trim bars, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022090010.

• EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER #19V587000 · 12/08/2019

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC, and GLE450 4MATIC vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain from the air conditioner into the passenger compartment.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080005.

• ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE #21V071000 · 12/02/2021

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350, and 2020 GLS450, GLE580, GLS580 vehicles. During certain evasive driving maneuvers, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) software may apply torque to one of the front wheels, pulling the vehicle to one side. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESP software, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030004.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING #20V626000 · 09/10/2020

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 580, GLS 450, GLS 580 vehicles equipped with an optional illuminated Mercedes-Benz star logo in the front grill. The star logo's electrical ground connection may not be installed properly, potentially affecting the function of other components that share the same ground connection, such as the power steering control unit, wiper motor, and/or the left headlight.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the ground connection, free of charge. The recall began November 13, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020100015/6.

• BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION #22V232000 · 08/04/2022

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.

• STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD #21V057000 · 05/02/2021

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLS 450, GLE 350, GLE 450, and 2021 AMG GLE53 vehicles. The dashboard surface may not be properly secured to the base material.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the dashboard, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer serviced at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030003.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE #21V058000 · 05/02/2021

  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.

  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.

• STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS #19V709000 · 04/10/2019

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLE450 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC, and GLS580 4MATIC vehicles. The rear door window trim may detach.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and fasten the rear door window trim, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100011.

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS #21V509000 · 02/07/2021

  Mercedes-Benz LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2020 C300, 2019-2020 A220, AMG C43, AMG C63, 2020 GLE580, GLB250, 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350, 2021 AMG GLE63, and AMG GLE53 vehicles. The LED headlights may have been incorrectly adjusted during a vehicle repair. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the LED headlights, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 13, 2021. A second notice will be sent once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.

Pros & cons

Trims & original pricing

Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.

Depreciation

Cost to own

National-average estimates based on public data. Your costs vary by region, driver, and condition.

Frequently asked questions