Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 reliable?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 has 66 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350?

Top problems: ENGINE (23 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (9 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350?

Yes, there are 10 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is approximately $2,373/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 has 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 56. The most common issue is engine problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: we bought our vehicle -2021 mercedes-benz gle 350 - on january 12th and three days later we noticed that half of the mbux dual screen was black and inoperable. the car was in service 10 days. today, 02,1, 2021 the car stop, the engine and lights, control, on highway!!!??? i call police to protect . There are 10 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 7 crash reports 14 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

23 complaints

35%

• WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE -2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 350 - ON JANUARY 12TH AND THREE DAYS LATER WE NOTICED THAT HALF OF THE MBUX DUAL SCREEN WAS BLACK AND INOPERABLE. THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE 10 DAYS. TODAY, 02,1, 2021 THE CAR STOP, THE ENGINE AND LIGHTS, CONTROL, ON HIGHWAY!!!??? I CALL POLICE TO PROTECT
• I can be driving on a flat surface with out the car been on eco mode and the car shuts off for no reason without and light on the dash board I have to wait a few secs to restart the car ,brakes don't stop like they should very loud grinding noise and comes. I have report this problem lots of times
• Complete engine failure in traffic. Prior to vehicle stopping it did not give me any message that the vehicle was having a problem. The total milage on the vehicle is 21,908. Other than being told the engine has to be replaced, I have been given no information upon what cause the failure. All s

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE -2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 350 - ON JANUARY 12TH AND THREE DAYS LATER WE NOTICED THAT HALF OF THE MBUX DUAL SCREEN WAS BLACK AND INOPERABLE. THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE 10 DAYS. TODAY, 02,1, 2021 THE CAR STOP, THE ENGINE AND LIGHTS, CONTROL, ON HIGHWAY!!!??? I CALL POLICE TO PROTECT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 42K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 74K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (10)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21/12/2023

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 23V-445.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,373

Full coverage / month

$198

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+42%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2373

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2021 GLE 350, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 66 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE -2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 350 - ON JANUARY 12TH AND THREE DAYS LATER WE NOTICED THAT HALF OF THE MBUX DUAL SCREEN WAS BLACK AND INOPERABLE. THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE 10 DAYS. TODAY, 02,1, 2021 THE CAR STOP, THE ENGINE AND LIGHTS, CONTROL, ON HIGHWAY!!!??? I CALL POLICE TO PROTECT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE -2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 350 - ON JANUARY 12TH AND THREE DAYS LATER WE NOTICED THAT HALF OF THE MBUX DUAL SCREEN WAS BLACK AND INOPERABLE. THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE 10 DAYS. TODAY, 02,1, 2021 THE CAR STOP, THE ENGINE AND LIGHTS, CONTROL, ON HIGHWAY!!!??? I CALL POLICE TO PROTECT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: There is water ingress on the driver side front door/seat area. There are growing water stains and a mildew smell. We are concerned the water ingress could cause and electrical issue and fire.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that the sunroof abruptly fractured while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied. The fractured glass was retained by the sunroof cover. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contact
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)