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Mercedes-Benz

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 has 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 83. The most common issue is fuel system problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: driver pulled into parking spot. while car was stopped, and the driver attempted to put the vehicle in 'park', while pressing the brake, the car violently jumped forward two times, at an extreme speed, and would not disengage. transmission display (p, r, n, d) was flashing and vehicle caused injury. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 6 crash reports 5 injuries

72

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

FUEL SYSTEM

19 complaints
26%
  • • DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT. WHILE CAR WAS STOPPED, AND THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK', WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE CAR VIOLENTLY JUMPED FORWARD TWO TIMES, AT AN EXTREME SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TRANSMISSION DISPLAY (P, R, N, D) WAS FLASHING AND VEHICLE CAUSED INJURY
  • • OUR 2016 MERCEDES GLE350 4MATIC SUV FIRST HAD PROBLEM ON OCT 11. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN MY WIFE WAS TURNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. SHE WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION FOR ABOUT 3 MINS AND WAS ABLE TO START AND
  • • Fuel injection system causing stalling on the road
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT. WHILE CAR WAS STOPPED, AND THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK', WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE CAR VIOLENTLY JUMPED FORWARD TWO TIMES, AT AN EXTREME SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TRANSMISSION DISPLAY (P, R, N, D) WAS FLASHING AND VEHICLE CAUSED INJURY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Based on 37 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
13
30-60K
8
60-100K
11
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 60K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
4
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 90K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (2)

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE23/12/2022

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.

Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,401
Per month
$200
Per mile
20.0¢
MPG
20
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,087/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
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

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.
Full coverage / year
$2,079
Full coverage / month
$173
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+24%
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 age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$2079

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz GLE350 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 2016 GLE350, 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

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 72 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT. WHILE CAR WAS STOPPED, AND THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK', WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE CAR VIOLENTLY JUMPED FORWARD TWO TIMES, AT AN EXTREME SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TRANSMISSION DISPLAY (P, R, N, D) WAS FLASHING AND VEHICLE CAUSED INJURY

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT. WHILE CAR WAS STOPPED, AND THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK', WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE CAR VIOLENTLY JUMPED FORWARD TWO TIMES, AT AN EXTREME SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TRANSMISSION DISPLAY (P, R, N, D) WAS FLASHING AND VEHICLE CAUSED INJURY

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V241000 (STEERING). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: OUR 2016 MERCEDES GLE350 4MATIC SUV FIRST HAD PROBLEM ON OCT 11. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN MY WIFE WAS TURNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. SHE WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION FOR ABOUT 3 MINS AND WAS ABLE TO START AND

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz GLE350 — Year Comparison

How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2017
83Avoid This Year
2016
72Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
72
Recalls
2
Fire reports
6
Crash reports
6
Injury reports
5
Segment avg
83

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

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