2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 problems & reliability
48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, alongside 14 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (6 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine → | 22 | 46% |
| Electrical System | 9 | 19% |
| Unknown OR Other | 9 | 19% |
| Visibility | 5 | 10% |
| Power Train | 4 | 8% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 6% |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 4% |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“While driving on the highway on three separate occasions the blind spot warning will pop up and show as inoperative, next the active break assist warning flashes as inoperative, and then the entire vehicle shows as inoperative and loses all acceleration and breaks down. This has happened three times. Stayed over night…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Jun 25, 2026
“At approximately 87,000 miles, my 2021 GLE350 (M264 2.0T engine) experienced a severe engine misfire resulting in a flashing check engine light, rough idle, engine shaking, significant loss of power, and near-stall condition. The vehicle was taken to Speedhaus Automotive (Newbury Park, CA) where all four ignition…”
Engine · filed Jun 3, 2026
“2021 mercedes-benz gle 350 w. Aprox: 30,000 miles. Purchased the vehicle 3 years ago, when it had 17,000 miles on it. When driving at times the passenger rear shock will start making sqeaking / creaking noises. Been like this for almost 1 year now. I dont drive the vehicle very often, but when I do drive it it…”
Suspension · filed May 27, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
361 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. The 10 most recent:
This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz…
EW - DMTL · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Jul 31, 2026
Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167, 465: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 290, 118, 243, 247: Software is still in development. This…
LI54.21-P-080326 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 2026
Complaint Noise from front end attributable to steering gear. Cause During diagnostics of a front end noise, workshop is under the impression the noise is coming from the steering gear. Remedy Workshop diagnostics point…
LI46.00-P-079786 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2026
Complaint Hand detection system – malfunction / vehicles with code 266 Fault message in instrument cluster: "Active Emergency Stop Assist not available" "Active Lane Keeping Assist not available" "Active steering assist…
LI46.10-P-078012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 17, 2026
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause…
LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 14, 2026
Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("- -"). • Flashing when…
LI54.71-P-079104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2026
Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/…
LI33.20-P-078406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 8, 2026
Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a…
LI82.60-P-080383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 8, 2026
Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/…
LI33.20-P-078406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 7, 2026
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…
PSL-NCU Return Parts 7/3 · Other · issued Jul 3, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.