Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 reliable?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 has 48 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (14 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (9 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450?

Yes, there are 23 recall(s): STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, COMMUNICATION, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SEATS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 is approximately $2,143/year (sedan-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.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 20. The most common issue is electrical problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: command control unit is faulty affecting navigation, voice control, bluetooth, and vehicle apps. issue was present at the time of purchase and service technicians have been working on the issues for over a month. issues are present when both stationary and driving. may affect other electrical and dr. There are 23 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

14 complaints

29%

• COMMAND CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY AFFECTING NAVIGATION, VOICE CONTROL, BLUETOOTH, AND VEHICLE APPS. ISSUE WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUES FOR OVER A MONTH. ISSUES ARE PRESENT WHEN BOTH STATIONARY AND DRIVING. MAY AFFECT OTHER ELECTRICAL AND DR
• DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND '48V BATTERY MALFUNCTION' WARNING GOES OFF, ALONG WITH A YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. A FEW SECONDS LATER A 'COOLANT' ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP AND A RED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR LOOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND I'M UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. CALL FLASHES A MESS
• SUDDEN ACCELERATION - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES- 1) 03/21/20 COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE - ALL WARNING LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTS & BRAKE LIGHTS STUCK ON, THEN WOULD NOT START AFTER LOCAL SHOPPING TRIP-ODOMETER 754 MILES - VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER - 'REPROGRAMMED'. 2) 06/18/20 ACTIVE SPEED CONTROL-CRUI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“COMMAND CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY AFFECTING NAVIGATION, VOICE CONTROL, BLUETOOTH, AND VEHICLE APPS. ISSUE WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUES FOR OVER A MONTH. ISSUES ARE PRESENT WHEN BOTH STATIONARY AND DRIVING. MAY AFFECT OTHER ELECTRICAL AND DR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K 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+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 6 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 (23)

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD05/02/2021

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLS 450, GLE 350, GLE 450, and 2021 AMG GLE53 vehicles. The dashboard surface may not be properly secured to the base material.

Risk: In the event of a crash where the passenger air bag deploys, an unsecured dashboard could impair the inflation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the dashboard, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer serviced at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030003.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

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

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 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 2020 GLE 450, 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~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 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: COMMAND CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY AFFECTING NAVIGATION, VOICE CONTROL, BLUETOOTH, AND VEHICLE APPS. ISSUE WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUES FOR OVER A MONTH. ISSUES ARE PRESENT WHEN BOTH STATIONARY AND DRIVING. MAY AFFECT OTHER ELECTRICAL AND DR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND '48V BATTERY MALFUNCTION' WARNING GOES OFF, ALONG WITH A YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. A FEW SECONDS LATER A 'COOLANT' ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP AND A RED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR LOOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND I'M UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. CALL FLASHES A MESS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND '48V BATTERY MALFUNCTION' WARNING GOES OFF, ALONG WITH A YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. A FEW SECONDS LATER A 'COOLANT' ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP AND A RED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR LOOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND I'M UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. CALL FLASHES A MESS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 1. FIRST MESSAGE: 48V BATTERY MALFUNCTION 2. SECOND MESSAGE: STOP THE VEHICLE COOLANT IS NOT WORKING VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING. 3. LOST POWER, I COULD ONLY DRIVE 10 MILES PER HOUR. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE OCCURRENCES RE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 23 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)