The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE is associated with 104 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 14 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Steering, accounting for 12 reports (12% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 11 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 2.1l 4-cyl, 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 3.5l 6-cyl, and 5.5l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 25 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 43 MPGe (21 MPG on gasoline) with up to 12 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE belongs to the 3rd generation / m-class facelift (W166/C292) GLE platform spanning model years 2016–2019.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 104 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 14 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Steering (12 / 12%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 10 crash / 4 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 15–25 MPG (11 variants • PHEV up to 43 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| GLE350 d 4matic Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,200 / yr |
| GLE300 d 4matic Diesel | 2.1L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| GLE550e 4matic Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 39 MPGe (20 MPG) | 50 MPGe (23 MPG) | 43 MPGe (21 MPG) | 12 mi EV (460 mi total) | $3,600 / yr |
| GLE350 | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| GLE450 AMG Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| GLE400 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| GLE350 4matic | 3.5L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| GLE350 4matic | 3.5L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| AMG GLE63 S | 5.5L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 13 MPG | 17 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
| AMG GLE63 S Coupe | 5.5L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
| AMG GLE63 | 5.5L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 13 MPG | 17 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| -Class Coupe SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class Hybrid SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class Hybrid SUV RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class Coupe SUV RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE models.
View complete 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE problems & component breakdown (51 categories) →
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
View all 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE recalls & campaign history (14 campaigns) →