Mercedes-Benz

GLE-Class (W166)

2012-2019 · Midsize SUV ยท 4 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (4.4)
251 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
6 Fire Reports
29 Crash Reports
Includes data from: GLE-CLASSGLE-CLASS COUPEGLE-CLASS HYBRIDGLE-CLASS PHEV
View all 2 generations of the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (17.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (17.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (17.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (17.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (4.4)
12 complaints 3.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
3
electrical
3
body
2
exterior
2
transmission
2

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (3 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (2 complaints)
Exterior Issues (2 complaints)

M276 DE35

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.7)
57 complaints 14.2 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
16
electrical
10
fuel system
8
engine
7
steering
7

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (16 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (8 complaints)

M276

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo / 329 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.4)
30 complaints 7.5 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
6
transmission
5
electrical
5
fuel system
4
steering
3

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (5 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (4 complaints)

3.5-V6-Gas

3.5L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.9)
139 complaints 46.3 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
28
other
24
electrical
22
steering
17
brakes
13

Known Issues

Fuel System Issues (28 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (22 complaints)
Steering Issues (17 complaints)

Same engine used in

+71 more
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Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.1-I4-Diesel

2.1L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.2)
5 complaints 5.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
2
exterior
1
electrical
1
engine
1
other
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (2 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)

5.5-V8-Gas

5.5L 8-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.6)
4 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

M157

5.5L 8-cyl Turbo / 577 hp
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
suspension
1
fuel system
1
brakes
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (1 complaints)

M264

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 255 hp
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class regardless of engine variant.

Fuel System Issues (43 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Electrical System Issues (43 complaints)
electrical critical
Body/Trim Issues (19 complaints)
body critical
Steering Issues (17 complaints)
steering critical
Engine Issues (15 complaints)
engine critical

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class problems?

The 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has accumulated 251 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Fuel System, Electrical System, Body/Trim. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class engine is most reliable?

The 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was offered with 9 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L Turbo 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class a good used car?

The 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 251 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class have?

The 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has 251 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2012-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?

Before buying a used Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Fuel System, Electrical System, Body/Trim, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the GLE-Class?

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 251 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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