2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE Problems: 17 Known Issues

On the 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE M278 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8, the M278 4.7L biturbo V8 used in the GLE 550 4MATIC (W166/C292) has a complex timing drive with one primary chain and two secondary chains, each with its own tensioner. On early engines the secondary chain tensioners lose oil pressure during shutdown because they lack anti-drainback check valves, so on cold start the chains and camshaft adjusters run momentarily dry and rattle loudly for the first 2-5 seconds until oil pressure builds. Left unaddressed, chain slack, worn guide rails, and worn camshaft adjusters can advance to camshaft-correlation faults and, in the worst case, timing jump. The same secondary-tensioner start-up rattle also occurs on the M276 V6; Mercedes service information (XENTRY TIPS LI05.10-P-056435) covers rattles in the secondary tensioner area, with the repair replacing the left and right secondary tensioners and installing check valves, which very early engines may lack.

On the 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the W166 GLE 250d (OM651 2.1L twin-turbo I4) and GLE 350d (OM642 3.0L V6) (2015-2019) have a documented pattern of turbocharger bearing collapse and EGR cooler failure, typically appearing between roughly 75,000 and 95,000 miles. Frequent short trips and DPF regeneration cycles cause oil coking in the turbo, leading to sudden power loss, limp mode, whining/grinding and blue smoke. Separately, thermal stress cracks the EGR cooler, contaminating engine oil with coolant (milky oil-cap residue, unexplained coolant loss, misfires). Injector coking on the OM651 compounds rough running and misfires. This is distinct from the routine DPF-regeneration issue already catalogued.

On the 2016-2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the GLE uses fluid-filled (hydraulic) engine and transmission mounts to isolate NVH. These are a known consumable that ruptures and leaks its damping fluid, often well before 60-70k miles. A collapsed mount transmits noticeable vibration through the steering wheel, seats, and floor at idle/in-gear, plus a thump or clunk when shifting or accelerating. A dark oily stain under the mount confirms rupture. Ignoring it can chafe hoses/belts and accelerate driveline wear.

On the 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the W166 GLE 350 and GLE 400 (2016-2018, M276 3.0L/3.5L V6) share the well-known M276 camshaft-adjuster problem. The variable-valve-timing camshaft adjusters and their magnets/solenoids wear, allowing the cams to fall out of time. Symptoms include a 2-3 second rattle on cold start, rough running, and check-engine codes such as P0010-style adjuster faults; owners report codes like P002177 with cams found advanced/out of time. Left unaddressed, a worn adjuster can cause poor timing control and driveability problems.

On the 2016-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the AIRMATIC compressor fails prematurely on the GLE, typically after one or more air springs develop slow leaks. The heavy SUV puts more stress on the compressor than sedan applications, accelerating wear.

On the 2016-2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, both W166 (2016-2019) and W167 (2020+) GLEs wear out the front lower control arm bushings. The lower arm carries multiple rubber bushings (including a rear 'lollipop' mount to the body) that tear with age, producing a clunk/knock over bumps, a wandering or vague feeling in the steering, and uneven front tire wear. It is one of the most common GLE front-end noise complaints and shows up regardless of whether the car has AIRMATIC or steel springs.

On the 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE, gLE owners (W166 and W167) report sudden loss of electric power steering assist, sometimes immediately after engine start and sometimes intermittently while driving, accompanied by the red dashboard message "Power Steering Malfunction - See Operator's Manual." Steering becomes very heavy, especially at low/parking speeds. Because EPS relies on stable voltage, CAN/FlexRay communication, and accurate sensor data, causes are almost always electrical: EPS control-module/torque-sensor faults, a corroded/loose steering-rack ground or harness connection, a blown power-steering pre-fuse, or a weak 12V battery dropping voltage to the EPS motor. NHTSA recall 17V-241 covers 2016 GLE (350/350d/400/300d/550e/43/63) where an insufficiently sealed EPS connector lets water into the control unit and deactivates assist, and TSB MC-10231025 addresses a no-assist-after-start software fault of the N68 EPS control unit on later models. This is an electronic EPS-rack fault, separate from mechanical front control-arm bushing wear.

On the 2016-2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE, on diesel GLEs, the SCR/AdBlue emissions system enforces compliance with a start countdown: when it detects a fault it warns 'You can restart the engine X more times,' and once the counter expires the car will not start until the fault is fixed and the counter is reset. The most common root cause is a failed upstream or downstream NOx sensor giving out-of-range readings; other causes are AdBlue crystallization, a blocked dosing valve, or low-quality fluid. Topping up AdBlue does NOT clear the countdown.

On the 2016-2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the GLE uses a small secondary AGM 'auxiliary' battery (separate from the main starter battery and the 48V mild-hybrid battery) that stabilizes voltage for the electrical/stop-start system. It is a known wear item that typically dies at 4-6 years, throwing a persistent 'Auxiliary battery malfunction – Visit workshop' message. On W166 (2016-2019) it lives under the rear seat / luggage area; on W167 it is in the engine bay area. Symptoms include the dash warning, flaky start-stop, random electrical gremlins, and occasionally a no-start. This is one of the most-searched GLE electrical complaints.

On the 2016-2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the GLE's full-LED / MULTIBEAM headlights are ventilated for heat, but when the factory seal or housing gasket fails, humid air enters and heavy condensation forms — large droplets and standing water at the bottom of the housing (not the light misting Mercedes considers normal). Because the LED modules and ballast/control electronics are not individually serviceable, trapped moisture corrodes them and causes flicker, partial-out DRL/turn segments, or complete headlight failure, forcing a very expensive full assembly replacement.

On the 2016-2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE, gLE plug-in hybrids (W166 550e; W167 350de diesel-PHEV and 450e) frequently show AC-charging faults: charging starts then stops and restarts, a red plug icon, or the car refuses to accept a charge at home/wallbox. Documented triggers include the vehicle halting when the voltage difference between supply phases exceeds ~19V, a weak 12V battery (below ~12.4V the car can't initiate HV charging), a stuck/corroded charge-port latch, or software glitches throwing false charging warnings.

On the 2016-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the infotainment system (COMAND on 2016-2019, MBUX on 2020+) freezes or reboots. The COMAND hard drive fails over time while the MBUX system is susceptible to software glitches with connected phones.

On the 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the 4MATIC transfer case on 2016+ GLE develops two related failures over time: stretched drive chains (which cause a metallic rattle or grinding noise from under the vehicle, most audible at low speeds or under light acceleration) and worn output-shaft bearings (which produce a whine that changes pitch with vehicle speed). Severe wear can cause torque-distribution problems and, if ignored, eventual transfer case failure requiring full unit replacement.

On the 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the rear differential develops a leak at the pinion seal or cover gasket. Fluid loss causes differential whine and, if left unaddressed, can lead to bearing and gear damage from insufficient lubrication.

On the 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 3.0L OM642 V6 Diesel, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogs prematurely, especially on vehicles used primarily for short trips. Failed regeneration cycles cause reduced power, increased fuel consumption, and eventually limp mode.

On the 2016-2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the large panoramic roof has four corner drain tubes that route rainwater down the pillars. Over time the tubes clog with dirt/pollen/debris and the perimeter rubber seals degrade, so water backs up and drips onto the headliner, A-pillars, and front footwells, or pools and causes musty smell/mold. Owners also report a persistent creak/rattle from the roof over bumps caused by loose drip-rail cover clips and dry sunroof tracks. This is distinct from the A/C drain-hose footwell recall – the source here is the roof drains/seals.

On the 2016-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the GLE power tailgate uses a motorized spindle drive on the passenger side plus a gas strut on the driver side, managed by a dedicated Tailgate/rear-compartment control module. A very common complaint is the gate opening a few inches then stopping or immediately re-closing, intermittent operation, or the gate not moving at all. Causes range from a weak battery/blown fuse (F152 30A, F154 40A) to a failed spindle-drive motor to a control-module internal error (fault code B224E49).