2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle-Class Safety Report

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class exhibits a concerning safety profile, primarily due to a high number of critical engine and electrical system failures, despite having no official NHTSA safety ratings or recalls. With 77 total complaints, including 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 6 injuries, the vehicle demonstrates significant reliability issues that directly impact safety. A substantial 23% of complaints are related to the ENGINE, with numerous reports detailing sudden engine stalls, loss of power, and complete engine failures while driving, often attributed to cylinder head issues (M264 engine) and 48-volt electrical system malfunctions. These incidents have led to dangerous situations, including near-miss accidents and vehicles becoming disabled in traffic. Beyond engine problems, the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM accounts for 9% of complaints, with additional reports combining ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE issues (8%). These often involve the vehicle entering a 'reduced-power' or 'limp' mode, dashboard error lights, and complete electrical shutdowns. Other notable issues include power train malfunctions (4%), visibility problems (4%) such as non-functional backup cameras and windshield wiper fluid issues, and even spontaneous vehicle fires. The lack of NHTSA crash test ratings makes it difficult to assess its passive safety performance, but the active safety failures, particularly sudden engine shutdowns, pose a severe risk. The absence of recalls for these widely reported and critical issues, especially the M264 cylinder head problem which is acknowledged in other regions, is a significant concern. The recurring nature of these failures, sometimes even after dealer repairs, suggests a systemic defect. While the vehicle has not been rated by NHTSA for crashworthiness, the prevalence of complaints related to sudden loss of motive power and electrical failures indicates a substantial risk to occupants and other road users, making its overall safety picture problematic.

Our recommendation: Given the high number of critical engine and electrical failures, including stalls and fires, and the absence of recalls or crash test ratings, exercise extreme caution when considering a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class; a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes-Benz specialist is essential, focusing on the engine and electrical systems.