2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350, VIN [XXX]. While driving, the vehicle intermittently displays multiple warning lights/messages and the power-steering assistance intermittently becomes heavy/stiff. The warnings rapidly appear and disappear and the problem can occur repeatedly while the vehicle is being driven. Pressing/tapping around the front passenger-side floor/kick-panel area can sometimes cause the warnings to clear. The problem appears more frequently in hot daytime conditions and can occur after the vehicle has been running. The engine continues running normally during the events. The vehicle has previously displayed communication-related faults. Mercedes-Benz previously performed Campaign 2023010002 involving inspection for water intrusion in the spare-wheel well; that repair order states no moisture was found in that location and the indicated drain grommet was replaced. The current problem persists. I am concerned because the intermittent loss/reduction of power-steering assistance while driving creates a safety risk. I am also aware of NHTSA Campaign 17V-241 involving water intrusion at the electric power-steering connector and loss of steering assistance on certain Mercedes vehicles. My VIN currently shows no open recalls. I am reporting my vehicle's symptoms so NHTSA can evaluate whether this represents a similar or related safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car took off after going over railroad track, and accelerated without driver being able to control it. The breaks and steering went out as well. It’s like car was being driven remotely. Crashed into fence, and there was no warning. The car accelerated. The car bounces back and forth when brakes are on, and again last year stopped in the middle of traffic. Water damage was leaking in as well after 8 months having this car. First major incident was December 2024, but rocking and began one month after purchasing vehicle in August of 2024. Acceleration incident; December 2024: 4 months after purchase; vehicle stopping in traffic: April 2025 8 months after purchase. Apparently new tires were put on. Almost had a blow out within 1 year and 4 months of purchase and found out when getting oil changed this past December 2025. Lights and radio randomly shut off, and gas’s tank is often locked or will not close. This car is scary, and has had problems that someone has covered up for a very long time. I have papers claiming everything was checked upon delivery; However; two incidences alone could have ended in multiple fatalities. Someone is responsible for hiding something something here, and this needs to be reported before someone or multiple people die that is due to a defect in the car. MCC 478-877-5740 478-737-2010

I purchased a Certified Mercedes GLE 350 with many advanced safety features. Including a SOS feature that allows I believe detects an accident and reports it to Mercedes as well as allows me to press the SOS button to manually contact Mercedes to report a need for help plus other functions. Thnis is a very important safety feature to me as I am getting order and may need assistance. In addition years ago a family friend was involved in a non fatal accident at night and was injured and traped in the car. Although the initial accident was not fatal, because the car was not located for some time and the friend was injured, bu the time the car was located the friend died due to the length of time traped in the car. One of the basic items listed on my Mercedes sell sheet is item 351eCall-emergency system. As I understand it this eCall device is part of the SOS system and is also a critical part of the advanced EMERGENCY and convience systems included with the car such as car locator, remote start and remote lock and unlock, as well as several other featurs I was sold. Recently I was informed by Mercedes that they would be discontinuing this safety feature as of 1/1/2026 and they have not offered any replacment / solution. I recently was on a road trip and caught in a sevier weather situation and tried to use the system and it did not work, which placed me in a potentially dangerious situation. I believe that people will loose their lives because Mercedes has suspended a important emergency safety feature. I have checked with my local Mercedes dealer who contacted Mercedes USA and they told me Mercedes USA is not offering any solution. I believe NHTSA should get involved to require Mercedes USA to find a solution to help prevent the loss of lives. This is an important "emergency system" that was sold as part of the vehicle. It is important to owners of all ages, but even more important to elderly drivers that choose Mercedes for their safety features.

Panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded while driving. It was the rear section of the sunroof. There was a loud boom sound. There were no vehicles nearby kicking up rocks, etc. I jumped and screamed but managed to remain somewhat calm trying to figure out where the sound came from in the vehicle. I then realized it was the panoramic sunroof as sunlight began to trickle into the vehicle. Fortunately, the shade had been pulled closed. Otherwise, more tiny shards of glass would have immediately fallen on me. I handed to situation over to my insurance company for repair.

The contact owned a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while slowing at approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn to pull into a driveway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a fence and came to a stop. The contact had not sustained any injuries, and medical attention was not needed. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that the fence was damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure but was taken to be repaired. The contact then stated that approximately a year later while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, into ongoing traffic at a cross street. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The contact also attempted to turn off the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact swerved right, and side swiped a fence, and the vehicle went through a front lawn of a house, striking some plants, and then struck a light post. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact had not sustained any injuries, but the passenger of the vehicle sustained injuries to the back, knees, legs, arms, scrapes on the head, and general aches all over the body. The passenger was taken to the Emergency Room and medical attention was provided. The contact stated that a Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,541.

I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my Mercedes-Benz vehicle. While driving home recently, without any warning, I heard a sudden explosion that sounded like a gunshot. In an instant, shattered glass fell throughout the interior of the car, covering my daughter, grandson, and me. Fortunately, the only other vehicle nearby was at a considerable distance; otherwise, the outcome could have been catastrophic. Our car swerved sharply as a result of the shock. We came to realize that the sunroof had exploded and completely shattered.

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the center digital screen failed to function as intended while attempting to use the safety features. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the command control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,340.

While driving our 2017 MB GLE 350-4matic at about 40 mph, it spontaneously downshifted to M1. We were in traffic, so this was a very dangerous for us and for the people behind us. We limped to our destination, not knowing what had happened or what to do. When we re-started the car the next day, it seemed ok. But after driving some distance, it spontaneously downshifted to M1 again. We stopped the car, turned it off and re-started it. My mechanic checked the car with his analyzer, which showed that the transmission was not transmitting/displaying gear changes. I am taking my car to another repair shop tomorrow that has a more sophisticated analyzer. When I first explored this problem on the web, there was discussion on a MB website about similar problems. Today, I saw that there is an NHTSA probe into 2015-17 Ford 150 pick-ups having a similar problem to mine, i.e., spontaneous downshifting. Maybe there is a chip problem in the transmission control module for cars of those years. This is a significant safety issue. Thank God we were going 40 mph and not 60 or 70 when this happened.

Was at a red light turning right, as soon as I turned right the engine lost power, and the car would not move. Since I am pressing the gas pedal all I can hear is revving noise, but the car was not moving. Since my foot was on the gas and not the brakes the person behind me was not aware that my car was not moving forward. The car behind me was barely able to avoid crashing into me and swerved around me. The driver behind me was lucky that there were no cars on his left. The service technician at the dealer informed me that the problem with the engine type that I have is very common. I called Mercedes and was told there is nothing they can do. They should issue a voluntary recall or at least warn drivers and compensate them for repairs needed or was done. There is a flaw in the design of the V167 2.0 engine and Mercedes is aware of it. MBUSA Case# 13095274

The transmission does not shift from first to second and created several dangerous situations in whichI tried to enter the highway. I called the corporate headquarters to make a complaint and was sent to the dealership to file a lemon law complaint. The Transmission specialist at AAMCO said the transmission parts are in good shape, but the problem is that there is too much clearance between the transmission casing and the transmission parts. I told him that this is a defective engineering and these vehicles should be recalled. When I did further research, I found out that I was not alone and that this is a well-documented problem with the Mercedes transmissions. I am reaching out to this agency because I believe that this situation has created a dangerous problem that should be looked into. The following link details these defects. [XXX] The problem with why this has not been reported is that many people that on these cars do not want to look as though they cannot afford the car and just have the vehicle repaired. I truly believe that the government should look into this before someone is seriously hurt because I am not the only one that has had this experience. The repairs/corrections will cost me $7,900 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)