The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE is associated with 56 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 9 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 9 reports (16% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 9 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 3.5l 6-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, and 5.5l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 20 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 43 MPGe (21 MPG on gasoline) with up to 10 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2018 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: 56 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (9 / 16%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 8 crash / 1 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 15–20 MPG (9 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 |
| GLE550e 4matic Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 38 MPGe (20 MPG) | 50 MPGe (23 MPG) | 43 MPGe (21 MPG) | 10 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 |
| AMG GLE43 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| AMG GLE43 4matic Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 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 |
| 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 | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
| AMG GLE63 | 5.5L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 14 MPG | 18 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 |
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 4 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class PHEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class PHEV SUV RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class Coupe 4 DR 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE models.
View complete 2018 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE problems & component breakdown (31 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE recalls & campaign history (9 campaigns) →