Model year record
2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 4MATIC recalls & problems
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 4MATIC has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 8 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine (5 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 4MATIC.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
GLE350 4matic
| City / highway | 19 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | — |
| Electrical system | 4 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
| Power train | 1 | — |
| Lane departureBlind spot detection | 1 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceWarnings | 1 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine
The engine/check-engine and cold-start noise problems have recurred despite multiple dealer repairs. In July-August 2025 the dealer documented misfire codes and a loud screech after cold starts. Its Aug-Sept repair order recorded the check-engine light returning one day after coil work, coolant entering a cylinder, and head-gasket/injector work. The dealer reported a completed test drive Sept. 17, 2025; the owner reported the vehicle broke down again Sept. 24 after only a short period of use. The service manager later described coolant/oil mixing and damaged crankshaft bearings, but said the precise cause/timing could not be determined; an engine rebuild was performed. In January 2026 the…
- Electrical system
The central MBUX display has gone completely blank- no communication with control panel head unit. It is not receiving data because the MBUX is frozen. Technician tried to perform a software flash update, but Mercedes own server-side security is locked. The technician attempted to reload the software, but it was explicitly blocked by Mercedes own security software. His findings were that this is failure caused within their own propriety software ecosystem and not normal wear and tear. There is no water damage or outside influence. Because the central display remains black, the backup camera is completely non-functional the rear-view backup camera fails while in reverse posing an immediate…
- Electrical system
â1. The Factory Assembly Defect âDuring production of the 2020â2021 GLE and GLS line (V167 platform), Mercedes-Benz factory assembly workers improperly secured or seated the air conditioning evaporator condensation drain hoses. Because condensation water could not drain out underneath the vehicle, it emptied inside the vehicleâpooling silently underneath the heavy soundproofing foam, carpeting, and floor pans. â2. The Resulting Hidden Damage âUnderneath the floorboards of the GLE sits critical electrical infrastructure, including the main vehicle wiring harnesses, CAN-bus junctions, and sensitive electronic control modules. âAs water accumulated, it submerged and corroded…
- Engine
The vehicle repeatedly had a check-engine light and the same engine-related complaint during multiple repair visits. The dealer attempted repairs several times, including an engine rebuild and later cylinder-head work. Despite those repairs, the engine later failed. The same loud screeching noise has now returned on cold start and lasts about 7-10 seconds. This is the same recurring problem that brought the vehicle in for repair. I believe the repeated failure to correct the condition led to the engine failure; the cause of the current screech has not yet been independently diagnosed. I am concerned about another engine failure and possible loss of power while driving. No crash, fire, or…
- Electrical system
2021 GLE350 - 4JGFB4KB7MA355768 purchased December 30, 2024 with 35,000. miles. Current milage 61,933. There is a critical electrical/software defect in the MBUX system which has completely blacked out. This VIN# has not been placed on recall but it is suffering the same failure as previous models (Including NHTSA campaign #21V354 and #26V281000 and I believe it warrants further investigation. The display failure creates significant safety hazards. Loff of Rear View Camera. Loss of Driver Instruments Warning. Essential driver information, including speed, safety warnings and system alerts while the vehicle is in motion, which creates a safety hazard. I have reached out to Mercedez corporate…
- Engine
My car has only 28,392 miles on it, but the yellow check engine light recently came on due to a faulty oil pump solenoid. I took it back to the dealership, and the repair cost was a staggering $7,000; they told me this is a common issue with this Mercedes engine. If this fails to function, engine noise will increase while driving and fuel consumption will rise; there may also be other unknown risks. The issue stems from a manufacturing defect that causes the malfunction indicator light to remain illuminated, preventing the vehicle from passing the annual emissions inspection and rendering it ineligible for legal road use; furthermore, the repair entails removing the front subframe and oil…
- Engine
While driving on I-84 between [XXX] and [XXX] , the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine failure with no prior warning. The engine seized, resulting in an immediate loss of power while traveling at highway speed, creating a dangerous situation in active traffic. The driver was fortunate to safely pull the vehicle onto an exit ramp. State police arrived and positioned their vehicle behind it to prevent a potential collision with other vehicles. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the failure. The vehicle had approximately 80,000miles and was regularly maintained. The issue has been confirmed by a service center, and the engine may require full replacement. The…
- Electrical systemFire
I purchased my vehicle 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 from Mercedes Dealership in Ontario, and had it for only about 4 months before it catching on fire while parked at the doctors office. I purchased it [XXX], and it caught fire on [XXX] while at the doctors. I didn't drive much since I work from home. Primary reason for purchase was to have a working and safe vehicle to transport family to their doctor appointments. Mileage at purchase was 59982. Last mileage 60,292. Insurance currently has the vehicle at Copart in Colton while doing their investigation for the claim I filed. I have the police report and fire report as well. At the time of purchase, I asked if there was anything wrong or if…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.