Check engine light came on. Called dealership on a Thursday and again on Monday after it stayed on all weekend. Was told to bring in vehicle for diagnostics and to have a ride home. Half way to the dealership the car spuddered and I had to coast to the shoulder of the road. After a few minutes, I restarted the vehicle and drive slowly to the dealership, barely making it it the shop. The service…
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class have filed 12 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
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 GLE-Class | 29 |
| 2022 GLE-Class (this page) | 12 |
When does it fail?
Of the 12 engine complaints filed for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Engine accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class engine narratives center on two critical failures: cracked cylinder heads and sudden, unwarned loss of power at highway speeds.
Cylinder head defects appear early and costly. Multiple owners report the check engine light illuminating, followed by hesitation, violent shaking at idle, and loss of power. Repair bills run $7,200–$10,000+; one service advisor told a customer this is a "known problem" and "widespread issue" affecting multiple owners. Manufacturer assistance has been spotty—one owner received $3,500 toward a $10,000+ bill; others received nothing. One vehicle sat unrepaired at the dealer.
Power loss events are more alarming. Owners report the engine dying without warning at 50–70 MPH on highways, forcing dangerous roadside stops. One brand-new vehicle (three weeks old) stalled, wouldn't restart cleanly, and shook violently. Another entered limp mode at 10,000 miles, limiting speed to under 10 MPH. Some vehicles restart after a few minutes; others require towing.
Cooling system failures include overheating, radiator puncture from road debris, and a battery malfunction that killed power steering and brakes at 50 MPH.
Dealer responses vary: some diagnosed and repaired; others found no cause despite similar symptoms in other GLE owners. One dealer refused to schedule a recall repair appointment and denied a loaner vehicle.
Same Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked or defective cylinder head
Multiple owners report cylinder head cracks causing loss of power, hesitation, abnormal engine noise, and severe shaking at idle. Dealers have confirmed this as a recurring issue. Repair costs cited at $7,200–$10,000+; some owners received partial manufacturer assistance ($3,500 credit), others none. One owner's vehicle remained unrepaired at the dealer.
When: Occurs early in ownership (57,000 mi, 70–80k mi on used purchase) and at low mileage on new vehicles (around 10,000 mi)
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation and loss of acceleration; Check engine light illumination; Abnormal engine noise; Violent shaking at idle; Power loss and stalling in traffic
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head replacement; repair cost $7,200–$10,000+. Partial manufacturer assistance ($3,500) in one case; warranty coverage appears inconsistent across model variants.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner received $3,500 assistance credit toward $10,000+ repair; manufacturer claim filed in at least one case. Service advisor noted this is a widespread issue affecting multiple customers.
Loss of power and limp mode
Engine loses power without warning while driving at highway speeds (50–70 MPH). Vehicle drops to limp mode, limiting speed to under 10 MPH, or stalls completely. Check engine light illuminates. Dealers diagnosed engine rebuild or replacement needed. One failure occurred at 10,000 miles on a new vehicle; another occurred at 20,000 miles but dealer found no root cause.
When: 10,000–20,000 miles (new vehicles); also on used purchase at 70–80k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power at highway speed; Engine enters limp mode, limiting speed to under 10 MPH; Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle can be restarted but power returns intermittently; Power loss accompanied by unknown warning lights
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Engine rebuild or replacement performed in one case; one vehicle was repaired, one remained undiagnosed at dealer despite inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and claim filed in at least one case; no specific recall or TSB mentioned.
Sudden engine stall without warning
Engine stalls abruptly while driving at highway speed (70 MPH) on brand-new vehicle (3 weeks old). No warning lights or indicators precede the stall. Vehicle will not restart initially; once on shoulder, engine restarts momentarily but shakes violently and shuts off again. Creates extreme safety hazard requiring towing.
When: 3 weeks into ownership, brand-new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of engine power while driving; No warning indicators or lights before stall; Violent shaking on restart attempt; Engine dies again after momentary restart; No restart capability without tow truck
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to Mercedes dealer; repair details not provided.
Metallic ticking noise from engine during acceleration
Owner reports metallic ticking originating from engine compartment during acceleration, noise diminishes at higher speeds. Mercedes dealer technicians acknowledged the issue after engine and turbo inspection but claimed the sound is normal and common in GLE models, instructing owner to report to Mercedes Corp.
When: During acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic ticking noise from engine compartment; Noise prominent during acceleration; Noise diminishes as vehicle reaches higher speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection of engine and turbo performed; dealer claimed no repair needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged issue but stated it is normal and common in GLE model; instructed owner to report to corporate.
Cooling system failure and overheating
Engine overheated while vehicle was driving at 70 MPH on highway. Unknown warning light illuminated. Dealer diagnosed cooling system failure. Cooling fan was replaced. In a separate complaint, radiator failed due to external road debris (small rock or item) passing through front grille during normal driving, causing coolant leak and low coolant warning.
When: 70–80k miles on vehicle; one failure at 21,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating warning light; Unknown warning lights illuminated; Low coolant warning light; Coolant leak detected
Repairs/costs cited: Cooling fan replacement; radiator replacement (due to road debris damage). Details of coolant system service not provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of radiator failure in one case; no recall or TSB mentioned.
Battery malfunction warning and power loss
Battery malfunction warning light illuminates along with other unknown warning lights while driving at 50 MPH. Vehicle stalls and loses power steering and braking functionality. Owner able to shift to park and restart vehicle but hood was very hot after parking. Occurred at approximately 8,600 miles on new vehicle.
When: Approximately 8,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Battery malfunction warning light; Multiple unknown warning lights; Complete loss of power steering; Complete loss of braking functionality; Engine stall; Excessive heat from engine hood
Codes mentioned: Battery Malfunction Warning Light
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed at time of complaint.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway, restarted the vehicle, and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer found no cause for the failure. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting a few minutes, the vehicle was restarted; however, the contact noticed an…
Vehicle has issues maintaining power and attempts to stall in traffic. It also shakes violently at idle. It was diagnosed by the dealership and determined that the cylinder head was damaged and needed to be replaced for $7200.00 since there was no warranty. Vehicle was purchased used and the Issue was noticed 6 months after purchase at 70-80 thousand miles. After researching the issue, this…
Even when new several times I was unable to start the car through the app or even physically. The self driving failed, but was repaired and about 2 months ago I got a recall notice to immediately take the vehicle , stop driving it until fixed. Feldman Motors in Bloomington MN was who I immediately contacted. The man I spoke to said simply that despite the recall the dealer would not have the…
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the battery malfunction warning light illuminated along with other unknown warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and coasted to a stop. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact was able to shift the vehicle into park(P)…
Had engine trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 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 12 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 23,320 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/2022/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.