2018 Mercedes-Benz Gle-Class Safety Report

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class presents a mixed safety picture based on NHTSA data. While it has a 4-star rollover rating, frontal and side crash test ratings are not available, making a comprehensive crashworthiness assessment difficult. The vehicle has accumulated 52 total complaints, including 7 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries, which is a notable number for a luxury SUV of its age. A significant concern is the single reported fire incident, which occurred after the engine shut down and steering became stiff, leading to a fire erupting in the engine bay. Common complaint patterns reveal issues across several critical components. The POWER TRAIN leads with 9 complaints, frequently citing problems with the transmission failing to shift from Park to other gears, or slipping from Drive to Neutral while in motion, posing significant safety risks. Fuel system issues, with 2 complaints, describe the fuel pump failing and causing the vehicle to stall, which could lead to crashes. Airbag deployment failures are also a serious concern, with one complaint detailing a severe crash where no airbags deployed, resulting in injuries. Despite these complaints, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has no open recalls, which is unusual given the nature of some reported issues like fuel pump failures and potential airbag malfunctions that often lead to recalls. The absence of recalls for issues like the reported transmission problems or the fire incident suggests that either the incidents are isolated, or NHTSA has not yet deemed them widespread enough to warrant a recall. The lack of comprehensive crash test data from NHTSA further limits the ability to fully evaluate its passive safety performance beyond the rollover rating. Overall, while the vehicle has a decent rollover rating, the recurring complaints about power train malfunctions, fuel system failures, and a critical report of airbag non-deployment in a crash, coupled with a fire incident, raise significant safety questions. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported issues and consider thorough pre-purchase inspections.

Our recommendation: Given the recurring power train and fuel system complaints, along with a reported airbag non-deployment and a fire incident, a thorough pre-purchase inspection is crucial. Be prepared for potential issues with the transmission and fuel pump, and consider extended warranty options.