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Exterior lightingPart report

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
13%of 62 total for the year
Median mileage
10,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, 13% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Just bought a new 2017 gle with active LED and adaptive high beam assist. Discovered a safety issue where the driver-side headlight will go into high beam when it should be in low beam, blinding oncoming traffic and cars in front. Because the lights are so bright, it's a huge safety concern. Note that it's not known to the driver, only those cars in front or oncoming that's it's happening, which may be why more complaints haven't been filed. Mercedes benz, richmond va tested other new gle's with similar lighting on their lot and all are having the same issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10968325, filed 2017-03, 3,200 miles

“We purchased a used 2017 GLE 350 two years ago from a Mercedes dealership. The first year or so I had not driven it at night as during Covid when we did go out after dark we usually took my husband’s vehicle and he drove. When I finally did drive the GLE at night I found that I had trouble seeing the road at any reasonable distance from the front of the car and that there is almost no illumination of the roadside even very close to the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11457340, filed 2022-03

“I purchased a 2017 MB GLE 350 in 2022. But it’s only recently where I’ve noticed that my halogen headlights do not provide enough light on the road during night time driving. Especially in the rain. I’ve researched a bit and see that MANY consumers have complained about the headlights, but there is no solution as MB does not offer an aftermarket upgrade. I either have to drive with my high beams on,or not drive at night. The other alternative is to buy another car which is ridiculous. For the price of this car, the exterior lighting should be better.”

NHTSA complaint #11579321, filed 2024-03

“The headlights on this 2017 mb GLE350 are a hazard. They do not light up the road way in the dark and especially in the rain. Curvy and unknown roads are treacherous unless there is a car in front leading the way. We are no longer driving this car at night. Unfortunately, I must drive it to work in the dark in the mornings. The dealership, felix sabates in charlotte, nc, will not do any fix to the headlights. Apparently when we bought the car we needed to pay extra for the light package that works which was not discussed or offered. …”

NHTSA complaint #11308730, filed 2020-02

“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. While driving at night, the exterior headlamps insufficiently illuminated the driver's line of sight on the road. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle and no way to modify the positioning of the lights. The failure mileage was approximately 12,671.”

NHTSA complaint #11054739, filed 2017-12, 12,671 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024114%
202213%
202112%
2018410%
2017813%
201636%

Other parts of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

Other or unknown
20 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology