Recalls: Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class
2015 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class: battery cable incorrectly positioned
In November 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE vehicles that were available for sale from 1 February 2015 to 30 October 2015. In these vehicles, the battery cable may be incorrectly positioned and may contact the wiper arm – if this occurred, the resulting short circuit may prevent the wipers from working. Non-functioning wipers could impair visibility, posing a hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2015/15053).
2015-16 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE 450: engine stalls when braking
In July 2016, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz C292 GLE 450 Coupe vehicles that were available for sale from 1 June 2015 to 31 May 2016. In these vehicles, a software concern within the engine control unit (ECU) may cause the engine to stall when braking at low speed – this could pose a hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users (PRA 2016/15488).
2015-16 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE: front passenger airbag may not deploy
In December 2016, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 June 2015 to 31 March 2016. In these vehicles, incorrect software coding within the front passenger seat occupancy recognition control unit could result in the airbag system not recognising an occupant in the front passenger seat. In the event of a collision, the front passenger airbag may therefore not deploy and the risk of injury to the occupant would be increased (PRA 2016/15819).
2015-16 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE Class: loss of power steering assistance
In August 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE vehicles that were available for sale from 1 October 2015 to 1 August 2016. Due to an insufficiently sealed connector, moisture could enter the electric power steering control unit and interfere with signal transmission – this could cause a loss of power steering assistance and increase the risk of a collision. To fix, the connector was to be replaced (PRA 2017/16263).
2015-17 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE: engine may turn off and not automatically restart
In October 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE vehicles that were available for sale from 30 June 2015 to 29 June 2017. In these vehicles, the engine may turn off when the vehicle was travelling at a low speed and the brakes were applied (e.g. when braking for a traffic light). Also, after an ECO start, the engine may turn off again if the vehicle was accelerated slowly under a high load. In such cases, the engine may not restart automatically and would have to be restarted manually, potentially posing a hazard and increasing the risk of a collision. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16343.
2017 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE 250: transmission oil leak
In July 2018, a recall (campaign RC2503) was issued for Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE 250 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 May 2017 to 31 July 2017. Due to oil loss in the transmission, these vehicles may lose power. If oil leaked onto hot parts of the exhaust system it could cause a fire, and if oil leaked onto the road, it would pose a hazard for other traffic. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16879.
2018 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE: reduction in rear braking and increased brake pedal travel
In August 2018, recall campaign RC2555 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 May 2018 to 23 August 2018. In these vehicles, hydrogen may have become embedded in the material of the pistons of a certain batch of brake callipers. This hydrogen could leak from the pistons and enter the hydraulic components of the rear axle brake and cause ‘compressibility’. As a result, the braking power of the rear wheels could be impaired and brake pedal travel could be extended. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16989.
2015-16 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE: fire hazard from oil contacting exhaust system
In September 2018, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE vehicles that were available for sale in Australia prior to 31 August 2016. Under ‘dynamic operating conditions’, oil foam could develop in the system’s oil reservoir if oil was below the minimum level. This could cause oil to escape via the ventilation bores in the cap of the reservoir and escaping oil could spray onto hot components parts of the exhaust system and cause a fire. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16986.
2015-18 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class: water could enter fuel pump control unit
In February 2023, recall campaign RC311 was issued for 2015-18 Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect, water could come into contact with the fuel pump control unit – this could impair the fuel supply to the engine and result in a loss of power while driving. A loss of power while driving could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants, other road users and bystanders. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005622.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class
No troubleshooting information is currently available for the Mercedes-Benz W166 GLE-Class.
