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)

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.

Rear trunk lid seal leaking water in rear cargo compartment caused damage to fuel pump. I was driving on a main busy road when without warning the car shut off. The traffic light was about to change so the person behind me was slowing down luckily. There was no warning light, indicator or sound the car just stopped . It stopped in the middle of the road impeding traffic as it stopped near a 4- way intersection at a busy time of day. The car was towed to dealer after extensive examination it was found to be a leak in rear trunk seal. There was no visible damage to seal or water damage in cargo area. I was told this is problem know to Mercedes as they have issued a bulletin on how to repair it. This has been happening for years without a resolution to this problem. I was told in my case it had been leaking over an extended amount of time and there was know way to discover it until the damage is done. I find that hard to believe that Mercedes would not recall this and find a remedy before it results in a serious accident or death. A car stopping on busy road or highway with a fast speed of traffic following is a tragedy waiting to happen. I had no warning of the potential danger I was in until it happened. The damage it causes is around $1,600 for a rubber piece that gets loose and allows water to damage the fuel pump. And because that piece is not covered under extended warranty the burden is put on the owner which it unfair to say the least.

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical system). The contact called the local dealer and it was confirmed that they could not service the recall due to the software update being an over the air update. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the over-the-air software update would be available in one to two weeks. The contact called back after two weeks and was informed that the over-the-air software update was still unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V058000 (COMMUNICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. ASTORG AUTO OF CHARLESTON (5 DUDLEY FARMS LN, CHARLESTON, WV 25309, (304)746-0500) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

WE BOUGHT OUR BRAND NEW CAR IN DECEMBER 2016. SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, WE'VE HAD A MULTITUDE OF THINGS THAT WOULD GO WRONG. FIRST, A BRAKE LIGHT WARNING WENT ON FOR NO REASON, THEN OUR A/C WASN'T WORKING WHICH OCCURRED ON MAY 2017. WE EXPERIENCED ALOT OF MINOR ISSUES INCLUDING THE PHONE, BLUETOOTH CONNECTION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD GO ON. IF YOU STOPPED THE CAR, AND RESET IT, THIS WOULD GO AWAY. THE "HOLD BRAKE" FOR A HILL WOULD WORK AND THEN NOT WORK; WINDOWS WOULD GO DOWN ON THEIR OWN. THE SIRIUS RADIO WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. ON THE LAST INCIDENT WITH THE SIRIUS RADIO, WHICH OCCURRED IN JULY 2018, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND WE WERE CALLED AND TOLD OUR CAR HAD A WATER ISSUE. APPARENTLY, THE SIRIUS MODULE SITS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WHEN BROKEN DOWN, THE AFORMENTIONED WAS DISCOVERED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT MB HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH DESCRIBED SYMPTOMS THAT WE HAD WITH OUR CAR. THE BULLETIN DESCRIBES THE ISSUE AS "MALFUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS CONTROL UNITS, AND/OR ON BOARD POWER SUPPLY PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WATER IN THE CONTROL UNIT TRAY UNDER THE DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER SEAT [DISLOCATED, PINCHED OR LEAKING CONDENSATION HOSE ON THE A/C HOUSING WHICH RESULTS IN WATER COLLECTING IN THE A/C HOUSING OR LEAKING, RESULTING IN WATER ENTERING THE INTERIOR]. NOTE THAT WHEN WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED FOR THE A/C, THE DEALER SAID OUR CAR WAS FINE, HOWEVER, WHEN WE GOT THE CAR BACK, OUR AIR CONDITIONING WAS FRIGID. - ANOTHER SYMPTOM OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT, AS OF THIS DATE, MB IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.