2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report the engine suddenly shutting off or losing power while driving, and some complaints link this to water in the spare-tire well or to leaking fuel injectors. Steering complaints are also common and often describe a recall repair waiting on replacement parts. Mileage varies widely: where it is listed, reports range from very low mileage to about 133,000 miles, and some sudden shutdowns came with no warning light first.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Sudden engine shutdown or loss of power while driving

   • 18 complaints (34%)
   • median 27,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, sometimes in traffic, and in some cases the engine cranks but will not restart. Some say no check engine light or other warning came first, and a 2026 complaint also describes losing power steering. Some complaints link the shutdown to water entering the spare-tire well or trunk and damaging the fuel pump, or to a failed fuel injector or fuel control sensor. According to the complaints, dealers diagnosed a module or fuel part, some repairs were followed by a repeat failure, and the water leak was reportedly hard to locate. Mileage is listed in only a few of these complaints, from 4 to about 87,000 miles, and the shutdowns were reported while the vehicle was being driven.

   Recall 22V955000

   What to check: Ask for records showing the fuel pump control unit recall (22V955000) and any water-leak repairs in the spare-tire well or trunk were completed. Have a technician scan for stored fault codes and check the fuel pump and spare-tire well for water before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 2016 mercedes gle350 4matic SUV first had problem on oct 11. My wife was driving the vehicle when the engine shut down when my wife was turning in the middle of an intersection and would not start back up. She was stuck in the middle of the intersection for about 3 mins and was able to start and drive to a restaurant where it cut off and would not start anymore. We had it towed to rbm of alpharetta. They stated that the fuel control sensor failed and needed to be replaced. We left the vehicle with them. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11144190, filed 2018-10, 4 miles

   “Car was running normally then check engine light illuminated and car shut off. Was able to coast to roadside. Car would not restart. Diagnosed by professional authorized Mercedes repair shop as fuel injector failure. No parts available after the repair for inspection. Because of shut off while being driven in busy traffic, I was at serious risk of a different vehicle hitting my vehicle. Also emergency brake would not disengage since car would not start so could not be pushed further off the road.”

   NHTSA complaint #11616686, filed 2024-09
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering recall repairs delayed by missing parts

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 39,944 mi at 5.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2025

   Owners describe receiving a recall notice for the electric power steering (campaign 17V241000) but being told the replacement parts were unavailable or on backorder. Some say the dealer had no repair date and that calls to the dealer went without a response. According to the complaints, owners said the manufacturer had taken longer than a reasonable time to supply parts. A complaint quotes a recall letter warning that the power steering assist may switch off, and another describes an abnormal sound from the steering box. Most of these reports do not list mileage; the ones that do range from 9,888 to 70,000 miles, and some owners say they had not yet experienced a failure.

   Recall 17V2410001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether recall 17V241000 has a parts date or a completed repair, and request that in writing. Have the electric steering checked for abnormal noise and for heavier steering in part of its travel, since a service bulletin describes those symptoms.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a recall letter from mercedes benz regarding the safety of my vehicles power steering which could go out at any time, changing from automatic to manual control. The letter stated the power steering assist may deactivate, increasing the risk of a crash. I called mercedes benz USA and was told they could not guarantee 100 % that the car was safe to drive. They stated they have no parts to fix problem and would send another letter as parts become available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11003685, filed 2017-07, 9,888 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was coming from the steering box. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V241000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11651672, filed 2025-03, 70,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brakes not responding or sudden speed changes

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 1.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating or jumping forward while parking, reversing, or stopped at a light, in some cases despite the brake pedal being pressed. Other complaints say the vehicle slowed on its own and the brakes stopped working, and a dealer reportedly linked this to a fault in a vehicle system. A brake pad wear warning light is described as coming on before one of these events. A 2026 complaint also describes losing power braking assist during a sudden engine stall. The only mileage listed is about 10,000 miles, and the events were described while parking, reversing, stopped at a light, or driving.

   What to check: Ask whether brake system fault codes and any brake pad wear warnings were checked, and whether a documented repair was done. On a test drive, confirm the brakes respond normally and that the vehicle does not surge forward when stopping or reversing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving, the vehicle suddenly slows down and then the brakes stop working. Vehicle then slows down to a complete stop. Happens randomly. This put me and other drivers at risk as cars behind me would suddenly have to slow down or stop without warning and I would have to steer out of the road to avoid a collision as the car is slowing down. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11525853, filed 2023-06

   “On September 26th, 2021 I was reversing out a parking space, the rear camera was engaged and the R indication in place. While halfway out of the parking space the vehicle accelerated hitting another vehicle. The brakes would not engage to slow or stop the vehicle, I had to slip the gear into park to have the vehicle come to a completed stop. the accident was report to the insurance company and information was exchanged due to the location. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11439342, filed 2021-11
4. 4
   Engine

   Hesitation, misfire or check engine light under load

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the engine hesitating or shuddering when accelerating, with the check engine light on, and a complaint reports misfires on several cylinders. Complaints tie these symptoms to a catalytic converter failure, a coil pack, and an intake air leak with a whistling noise. Some owners report being told the failure was not related to a recall, and another notes the warranty had already expired, while some vehicles were still not repaired when the complaint was filed. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 43,000 to 118,000 miles, and the symptoms were described during acceleration or driving.

   What to check: Ask for a scan of stored trouble codes and any repair invoices for the catalytic converter, coil pack, or crankcase valve work. Ask whether the intake system was checked for a whistling noise.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine light on dashboard turned on in beginning of Feb 2024 … bought vehicle to dealer for assessment … was told right side catalytic converter has malfunctioned and will need to be replaced … vehicle has about 66,000 miles and it was a 2016 vehicle … apparently warrantly had expired in Nov 2023 … this does not seem right. Also, there are no right side catalystic converter available nationwide (not from Mercedes Benz manufacturer or off market). Wonder if this is a widespread issue … would like advisement.”

   NHTSA complaint #11574826, filed 2024-03

   “The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The console had overheated. The engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that cylinder numbers 1, 2, and 3 was misfiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11579256, filed 2024-03, 118,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Leaking fuel injectors and under-hood fires

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 133,000 mi at 10.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe fuel leaking from a fuel injector, with fuel igniting under the hood in some reports, and a complaint describes fuel spraying from a cracked injector igniting when the door was opened. Some leaks were reported while the vehicle was parked in a driveway overnight, and some owners say the intake manifold and injectors had to be replaced. A complaint says the manufacturer stated the vehicle was not covered by an injector recall, and another says a dealer visit did not resolve the problem. The only mileage given here is 133,000 miles, and some of the leaks and fires were reported while the car was parked.

   What to check: Ask for records of any fuel injector inspection or replacement, and whether the intake manifold was checked after a leak. During a pre-purchase inspection, look for fuel smell or residue around the injectors and intake.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This has previously been reported, but NHTSA email indicated I needed to file formal complaint. Fuel injector(s) leaked while vehicle parked overnight in driveway. ECU detected fuel and subsequent ignition/spark caused explosion' blowing out engine intake manifold (appx 50-75 pieces found). All 6 injectors and intake manifold required replacement. Mercedes Benz does have recall notification for failed/leaking fuel injectors, which includes both my model, and model year- but has claimed my VIN is not covered. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11644620, filed 2025-02

   “car has caught on fire due to (as diagnosed by certified MB mechanic) leaking from fuel injector(s). Issue is known to many MB mechanics. Issue DOES have a recall for other (non GLE350) models in this same year (2016). Request recall issued! Request assistance with having MB warranty/repair problem”

   NHTSA complaint #11642591, filed 2025-02

Buying note. For someone considering this model year, ask for proof that the fuel pump control recall (22V955000) and the electric steering recall (17V241000) were completed, and have the fuel system, steering, and brakes checked during a pre-purchase inspection. Complaints about sudden shutdowns and fuel leaks make full service records worth requesting.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.