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Mercedes-Benz

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 has 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 83. The most common issue is other problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: since leasing this vehicle on december 1, 2016, there have been numerous safety issues with the seat belt, erroneous warning alarms, and the windshield wiper. first, while driving in a snow storm in january 2017, the driver's side windshield wiper went flying off the vehicle. the dealership repai. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 2 injuries

83

Total Complaints

7

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

20 complaints
24%
  • SINCE LEASING THIS VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 1, 2016, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELT, ERRONEOUS WARNING ALARMS, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. FIRST, WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM IN JANUARY 2017, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WENT FLYING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAI
  • WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT 2 MPH I STRUCK A TRASH RECEPTACLE THAT WAS LOCATED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MERCEDES BENZ (MB) PARKTRONIC SENSOR DID NOT SOUND AN AUDIBLE ALARM UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO REACT. FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT I TESTED THE AUDIBLE ALARM SENSOR FOUR TIMES
  • THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF MOLD COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH MERCEDES WILL NOT PERMANENTLY FIX. COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER RESULT IN THE DEALER CLEANING THE A/C SYSTEM AND REPLACING THE FILTER, BUT THE SMELL RETURNS WITHIN ONE MONTH. I AM ADVISED THAT THE A/C SYSTEM IS N
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

SINCE LEASING THIS VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 1, 2016, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELT, ERRONEOUS WARNING ALARMS, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. FIRST, WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM IN JANUARY 2017, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WENT FLYING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAI

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

Based on 31 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 20K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
19
30-60K
7
60-100K
5
100-150K
0
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 (7)

COMMUNICATION12/02/2021

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 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 2017 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
$2,260
Full coverage / month
$188
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+35%
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 age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$2260

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 2017 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

OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~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 83 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • OTHER: SINCE LEASING THIS VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 1, 2016, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELT, ERRONEOUS WARNING ALARMS, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. FIRST, WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM IN JANUARY 2017, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WENT FLYING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAI

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

  • ELECTRICAL: SINCE LEASING THIS VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 1, 2016, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELT, ERRONEOUS WARNING ALARMS, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. FIRST, WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM IN JANUARY 2017, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WENT FLYING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAI

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

  • LIGHTING: JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2017 GLE WITH ACTIVE LED AND ADAPTIVE HIGH BEAM ASSIST. DISCOVERED A SAFETY ISSUE WHERE THE DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL GO INTO HIGH BEAM WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN LOW BEAM, BLINDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CARS IN FRONT. BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ARE SO BRIGHT, IT'S A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. NOTE

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

  • FUEL SYSTEM: MY CAR IS 2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLE 350 SUV. LAST SATURDAY (AUG 12), I DROVE ON HIGHWAY I-45 WITH MY FAMILY FROM DALLAS TO HOUSTON. SUDDENLY I HEARD SOMETHING HIT MY CAR UNDERNEATH, BUT THE CAR WAS MOVING LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED DURING THAT TIME. AFTER AROUND 10 MINUTES, ONE DRIVER DROVE UP AND KEPT WAR

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 7 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 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
83
Recalls
7
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
9
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
83

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350