BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 has 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 43. The most common issue is electrical problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz gle450. after the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 16v440000 (electrical system), the vehicle experinced a failure. when the contact depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle completely shut off. the contact restarted the vehicle, but the failure. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year.

10 crash reports 6 injuries

43

Total Complaints

11

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

8 complaints
19%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE450. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V440000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE EXPERINCED A FAILURE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE
  • • Battery and antitheft device malfunction causing inability to shift out of neutral and can roll of the road. I left car immediate due to the risk of rolling into traffic without control called for help and secured with blocks. Not confirmed yet by dealer....no warning prior to failure....car is secu
  • • The passenger side door won't open or lock automatically
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE450. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V440000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE EXPERINCED A FAILURE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450

Based on 14 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 32K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
6
30-60K
5
60-100K
0
100-150K
3
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 (11)

COMMUNICATION01/11/2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,401
Per month
$200
Per mile
20.0¢
MPG
20
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,824/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 GLE450

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 GLE450 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 GLE450, 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
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 43 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE450. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V440000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE EXPERINCED A FAILURE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE

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

  • ☐
    ENGINE: ECO START/STOP FEATURE IS UNSAFE. DRIVER COULD MISINTERPRET WHEN VEHICLE IS IN ECO STOP MODE VS OFF IN PARK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START AND LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE DRIVER TAKES THEIR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHEN THEY ASSUME IT IS OFF IN PARK. UNSAFE.

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

  • ☐
    BODY/STRUCTURE: MY SUNROOF EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO THE GLASS. THE GLASS FLEW BACK ON ROAD AND THE GLASS REMAINING ON TOO APPEARED BOWED.

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

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THE FUEL LINE WAS FLOODED WITH WATER. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT I LET THE TRUNK OPEN IN THE RAIN, BUT I DID NO SUCH THING. THERE WAS ALSO NO WATER IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS E

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

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz GLE450 — Year Comparison

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

2016
43Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
43
Recalls
11
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
10
Injury reports
6
Segment avg
43

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450

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