2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: the 48v battery after driving new vehicle only 230 miles goes dead. the auto will not start and cannot be jump started. result is being stranded roadside. required a tow. mercedes says dead battery (brand new) needs to be replaced. battery went dead on december 10. dealer tells me no batteries are a.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

9 complaints

33%

• THE 48V BATTERY AFTER DRIVING NEW VEHICLE ONLY 230 MILES GOES DEAD. THE AUTO WILL NOT START AND CANNOT BE JUMP STARTED. RESULT IS BEING STRANDED ROADSIDE. REQUIRED A TOW. MERCEDES SAYS DEAD BATTERY (BRAND NEW) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BATTERY WENT DEAD ON DECEMBER 10. DEALER TELLS ME NO BATTERIES ARE A
• THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE 48V BATTERY FAILING ON MULTIPLE MERCEDES MODELS USING THE 6 CYLINDER WITH ISG ENGINE. MERCEDES SHOULD DO A RECALL TO REPLACE ALL 48V BATTERIES AS THIS PROBLEM MAKES THE CARS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE TO USE AS SOMETIMES THIS 48V BATTERY SYSTEM FAILS WHILE DRIVING.
• The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle loss motive power. The 48V battery malfunction and coolant hot turn-off vehicle message were displayed on the instrument panel. The battery indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicl

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

“THE 48V BATTERY AFTER DRIVING NEW VEHICLE ONLY 230 MILES GOES DEAD. THE AUTO WILL NOT START AND CANNOT BE JUMP STARTED. RESULT IS BEING STRANDED ROADSIDE. REQUIRED A TOW. MERCEDES SAYS DEAD BATTERY (BRAND NEW) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BATTERY WENT DEAD ON DECEMBER 10. DEALER TELLS ME NO BATTERIES ARE A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

7 complaints

26%

• The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle loss motive power. The 48V battery malfunction and coolant hot turn-off vehicle message were displayed on the instrument panel. The battery indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicl
• I was driving at full speed on the interstate (75mph) when the vehicle died completely. I had only seconds to maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder. There was no indication of a service issue with the vehicle prior to this incident. The car is/was approximately 2 weeks old, with about 500 miles of
• On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once. After the first incident, deal

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

“The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle loss motive power. The 48V battery malfunction and coolant hot turn-off vehicle message were displayed on the instrument panel. The battery indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicl”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

11%

• On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once. After the first incident, deal
• Recall 21V354 has not been completed. They have had since May 14. I have contacted MBUSA twice and they will not give me a completion date.
• 1. Failed component/system. Primary issue is stalling under normal operating conditions. The vehicle is available for inspection. It is a 2024 Porsche Panamera. It is currently with the dealership at Chantilly. 2. The vehicle stalls while I was crossing a highway potentially leading to a collision.

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

“On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once. After the first incident, deal”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

2 complaints

• On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once. After the first incident, deal
• Was driving down a 2 lane road at about 55 MPH, and a warning light message appeared on the dash and said "battery no longer charging" then another message that said "coolant overheating vehicle shutting down" appeared. And the car would no longer accelerate. So I had to pull over on a busy 2 lane r

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

• Driving down a multi-lane highway at 70 mph, a 48V battery malfunction warning goes off as well as the yellow check engine light. A few seconds later a ‘coolant’ error alert pops up. SUV loses acceleration with power dropping from 70 mph to 55 mph to 35 mph. Another message displayed on screen warn
• Currently unavailable camera view restricted” The message went away but I’ve noticed it appearing more often

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

“Driving down a multi-lane highway at 70 mph, a 48V battery malfunction warning goes off as well as the yellow check engine light. A few seconds later a ‘coolant’ error alert pops up. SUV loses acceleration with power dropping from 70 mph to 55 mph to 35 mph. Another message displayed on screen warn”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THE 48V BATTERY AFTER DRIVING NEW VEHICLE ONLY 230 MILES GOES DEAD. THE AUTO WILL NOT START AND CANNOT BE JUMP STARTED. RESULT IS BEING STRANDED ROADSIDE. REQUIRED A TOW. MERCEDES SAYS DEAD BATTERY (BRAND NEW) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BATTERY WENT DEAD ON DECEMBER 10. DEALER TELLS ME NO BATTERIES ARE A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle loss motive power. The 48V battery malfunction and coolant hot turn-off vehicle message were displayed on the instrument panel. The battery indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicl
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once. After the first incident, deal
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once. After the first incident, deal
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)