2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class problems
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has 56 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has 56 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 10 complaints (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 GLE-Class | 105 | 0 |
| 2017 GLE-Class | 75 | 0 |
| 2018 GLE-Class (this page) | 56 | 0 |
| 2019 GLE-Class | 32 | 0 |
| 2020 GLE-Class | 123 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
- brakes — 5 owner reports · ~$450 to fix
- cruise control — 4 owner reports · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Brakes need replacing after only 11 months old and 14,000 miles. Loud squealing from brakes upon applying them. This has been a problem since purchasing the car in jan. 2018. Reported to dealership multiple times and was told it was normal. Now they want me to pay to have the…
Low beam head lights are very poor and I am not able to drive this car at night. I googled about this issue, and I see lot of people complaining about the same issue on Mercedes gle. I am willing to pay money to fix this issue, but dealer said he can not do anything about it…
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-benz gle350. While driving at night, the headlights failed to illuminate adequately. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-benz of durham (919-794-7077, located at 110 kentington dr, durham, nc 27713)…
when i tried to apply brakes on Nov 27th, 2022, the brakes were not applying for 4-5 seconds inspite of pushing the brake few times. After 5 seconds the brakes were working. to avoid collision i had to change the lane quicKly and luckily there was no one in the next lane. Please…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 56 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 10 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 56 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.