Engine light was on and take to dealer. Complaint about speed control when gas is applied the car didn't respond and engine stay dead. Car was supposed to be resetted. Drive another 30 days and car was taken to the dealer with the same issues. Dealer kept the car for over a week without getting the solution to the problem.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class have filed 29 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 GLE-Class | 13 |
| 2017 GLE-Class | 3 |
| 2020 GLE-Class (this page) | 29 |
| 2022 GLE-Class | 12 |
When does it fail?
Of the 29 engine complaints filed for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 29.
Owners have filed 29 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 GLE 350 shows a pattern of serious engine failures that owners describe as manufacturing defects rather than normal wear. Cylinder head failure is by far the most frequent complaint: drivers report sudden misfiring, rough idle, and loss of power typically at 48,000–108,000 miles, with most incidents clustering just beyond the 50,000-mile warranty threshold. Check engine lights illuminate but owners say they received no prior warning before the failure occurred. Diagnostic codes point to cylinder misfires (P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305) and mixture formation issues. Repair estimates range $7,000–$15,000, and several owners mention dealers warned them repairs could fail again.
A separate coolant system defect emerged: the plastic coolant line under the intake manifold (part 264-200-42-01) cracks around 57,000 miles, causing sudden loss of coolant and overheating risk. Mercedes itself acknowledged this in a 2022 letter to 800,000 owners and replaced the plastic line with steel, yet no recall was issued. Other reported issues include premature motor mount wear at 62,000 miles, rod bearing failure requiring complete engine replacement, blockage of the turbo oil separator, and exhaust valve seat leaks causing power loss. One owner at 170,000 miles was told the engine harness had become brittle and could break during service access. Owners point to online forums showing hundreds of similar complaints for the 2020–2022 model years, yet Mercedes has issued no recalls specific to this platform's engine.
Same Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder Head Failure
Premature cylinder head failure causing engine damage, misfiring, rough idling, and loss of power. Multiple owners report sudden failures without prior warning lights. Failure appears mechanical or manufacturing defect rather than wear and tear.
When: 48,000–108,000 miles; typically 50,000–73,000 miles; often just beyond standard 4-year/50,000-mile warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idling; Misfiring in multiple cylinders (cylinders 1, 2, 3, 4 reported); Loss of power and acceleration; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle hesitation during acceleration; Engine shaking; Vehicle entering limp mode; Inability to exceed 20–40 mph even with full accelerator
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P1CEF85, P1CE577, P219E77
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head replacement estimated $7,000–$15,000; top-end engine replacement including cylinder head, valves, valve springs, rocker arms, camshaft, spark plugs, valve cover. Some owners report repeat failure after initial cylinder head replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes case reference 18281587 noted; Mercedes acknowledged awareness of issue affecting other GLE 350 vehicles but no recall issued; extended warranty denied in some cases; dealership denies coverage citing out-of-warranty status despite known defect
Cracked Plastic Coolant Line Under Intake Manifold
Plastic coolant line beneath intake manifold cracks, causing sudden coolant loss and engine overheating risk. Manufacturer has superseded original plastic part with metal design, indicating design inadequacy. Mercedes notified 800,000 owners of defect in January 2022 without issuing recall due to parts shortage.
When: 57,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low coolant level warning lamp/message; Sudden coolant loss; Risk of engine overheating; Potential engine stall while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Part # 264-200-42-01; plastic part superseded by manufacturer to metal version. Repair cost not specified by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes dealership and MB USA confirmed diagnosis; manufacturer sent letter to 800,000 owners in January 2022 acknowledging defect but did not issue recall due to parts shortage
Engine Harness Brittleness
Engine harness becomes brittle and can break if accessed during service. Reported at high mileage (170,000 miles) but described as defect rather than normal wear, given the vehicle's otherwise excellent condition.
When: 170,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine harness brittle and fragile; Risk of harness breakage during maintenance access
Repairs/costs cited: Engine harness replacement quote $7,300
Motor Mount Wear
Motor mounts wear prematurely, causing rumbling sound when vehicle is stopped and brake engaged. Service manager reported changing 3–4 mounts monthly, indicating repetitive issue.
When: 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rumbling sound when stopped with brake engaged; Excessive motor mount wear
Repairs/costs cited: Motor mount replacement quote provided by dealership; cost not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes USA stated warranty responsibility falls to dealer, not manufacturer
Rod Bearing Failure
Rod bearing failure causing sudden engine noise, loss of power, and choppy acceleration. Requires full engine replacement. No warning light before failure.
When: 73,000 miles (initial cylinder head replaced at 48,000 miles under warranty)
Symptoms owners cite: Horrible engine noise; Loss of power; Choppy acceleration; Engine check light did not illuminate before or after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required
Turbo Oil Separator Blockage
Turbo oil separator becomes blocked, causing internal pressure buildup that forces oil out of rear main crankshaft seal. Engine can run out of oil without operator awareness due to electronic monitoring (no dipstick), leading to catastrophic engine failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil loss through rear main crankshaft seal; Potential catastrophic engine failure due to oil depletion; Dangerous condition or accident risk while driving
Leaking Exhaust Valve Seat
Leaking valve seat in cylinder head (cylinder 3 noted) causes compression loss, power loss, and inability to move from a full stop. Related to exhaust valve seat design issues already documented in other Mercedes models.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of compression in affected cylinder; Loss of power; Vehicle unable to move from full stop; Cylinder 3 mentioned in one report; design issue flagged for multiple cylinders across forums
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust valve seat replacement required
Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Failure
PCV valve failure occurred after cylinder head repair, suggesting either related component degradation or repair complication.
When: After cylinder head replacement
Symptoms owners cite: PCV valve failure
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle was idling low. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed…
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the cylinder head was damaged and…
Cylinder head is defective and needs replacing. It is at the dealer for service at the tune of $7700. The car will not accelerate and sounds like it is in the wrong gear. Upon searching the Internet it seems like there are tons as in 1000’s of 2020, 2021 and 2023 Mercedes GLE 350s all having the same problem. There should be a recall as most cars are seeing this problem at 20,000 to 30,000 miles…
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the ON/OFF system was activated, while making left and right turns and then stopped the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was shifted into park(P) and restarted after each failure. The vehicle was idling and the engine sputtered and ran rough. Additionally, the contact stated that while idling, the vehicle…
Had engine trouble with your 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 29 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 67,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Mercedes-Benz/GLE-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.