2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE problems, complaints & recalls
NHTSA has received 124 owner complaints about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, or 18.3 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.45, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 83 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #35 of 83 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Mercedes-Benz models its rate is 86% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 29% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2019-07-18 and 2026-10-13. Median delay from incident to filing: 14 days.
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 4.4 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 15.9 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 28 complaints, 50% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (36.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (21.0%) and Transmission / powertrain (5.6%). Engine complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 4 reports (3.2%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 47 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (36% of incidents). In the last 12 months 25 new complaints were filed, versus 28 in the 12 months before — down 11%.
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
- vs. all tracked vehicles0.45
- vs. other Mercedes-Benz models1.86
- vs. other 2020 models0.49
- vs. other Luxury SUVs1.29
- Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (28)0.5
- #35 of 83 · 2020Rankings ›
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.
What owners complain about
vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average
Problem areas: Engine · Electrical · Body & structure · Unspecified or other · Transmission / powertrain
When complaints were filed
- Crashes reported: 3
- Fires reported: 1
- Injuries: 2
- Deaths: 0
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 47 months
What owners report
My 2020 GLE350 met with an accident on 1/20/2023. My wife was driving this vehicle on the freeway at about 40-50mph and she rear ended a Toyota Camry that was ahead of her.
The Brakes Failed - At Mercedes Dealership for Over a Month My Wife could have been killed on the highway going 70MPH with no brakes The car was towed by Mercedes over a month ago and never returned. No one will talk to me. Mercedes will not speak with me.
Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor failure (P0191) This issue generated a check engine light and limp home mode to be initiated. I have had the part changed and when it was changed the previous part had a manufacturing date of 2025.
I keep getting coolant level low. I add coolant fluid into the tank and the warning message comes up again. I see no leaks under my vehicle so not sure if there’s a leak inside the tank itself or air leak somewhere but I’ve gotten that warning message about…
The a/c unit failed and is available for inspection upon request. Being in an over-heated car can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. I was nauseous and dizzy while driving, putting myself and my passengers at risk.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · 2020 · Luxury SUVs
| Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi Q7 | 28 | 4.1 | 0.1 |
| 2020 Lexus NX | 28 | 4.1 | 0.1 |
| 2020 Audi Q5 | 37 | 5.4 | 0.13 |
| 2020 Lexus RX | 55 | 8.1 | 0.2 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC | 80 | 11.8 | 0.29 |
| 2020 BMW X3 | 110 | 16.2 | 0.4 |
| 2020 BMW X5 | 113 | 16.6 | 0.41 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE | 124 | 18.3 | 0.45 |
| 2020 Acura MDX | 228 | 33.6 | 0.83 |
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year.
Investigations
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.