The 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE is a luxury automobile known for its innovative features and high-performance engine. However, the SUV has also been the subject of a number of customer complaints and recalls due to various problems and defects.

Some of the most common problems reported by customers include passenger air bag not deploying properly, water leaks due to improper welding, active brake assist not engaging, fuel tank leaks, missing information in owner’s manual, detached rear door window trim, and third-row headrests not functioning properly. Other issues include interior switches not illuminating, rear cross member detachment, premature wear of shock absorbers, and failure of driver’s seat fastener bolt.

To address these issues, the manufacturer has issued several recalls, including:

  • Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy Properly
  • Improper Weld May Allow Water To Leak In
  • Active Brake Assist May Not Engage
  • Weld Between Fuel Tank and Filler Pipe May Leak
  • Incorrectly Installed Air Conditioner Drain Hoses
  • Owner’s Manual Missing Information
  • Rear Door Window Trim May Detach
  • Third Row Headrests May Not Function Properly
  • Engine Stall from Water Intrusion into Vehicle

If you own a 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE and have experienced any of these problems or other defects, you may be entitled to a remedy under California Lemon Law. This law provides protection to consumers who have purchased a vehicle that has a significant defect that affects its use, value, or safety, and that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. If you are experiencing problems with your vehicle, it is important to consult with an experienced Lemon Law attorney who can help you understand your rights and take action to get the compensation you deserve.

In conclusion, the 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE is a high-performance luxury vehicle that has received numerous customer complaints and has been the subject of several recalls due to various problems and defects. If you are experiencing issues with your vehicle, it is important to know your rights under the California Lemon Law and to seek the help of a knowledgeable attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

The owners of certain 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC350E 4Matic SUVs could experience a loss of drive power due to a problem affecting the wiring harness going to the transmission in their vehicles.

In September 2020, Mercedes Benz first became aware of the problem after receiving a customer complaint regarding the loss of drive power in their vehicle. As similar complaints regarding GLC-Class vehicles increased Mercedes began an investigation into the problem. A production quality survey was initiated to double check the wiring harness installation in two plants producing the LC-Class. Mercedes investigated possible commonalities between the reported failures of two different platforms that are manufactured at three different plants. Mercedes also asked the wiring harness supplier to analyze any possible cause involving the wiring harness.

The investigation identified the root cause of the problem as an error in the installation of the wiring harness. Mercedes studied the potential effect of the transmission wiring harness production deviation on vehicle safety and identified the potentially affected vehicles. On July 1st 2022, they determined that there was a potential safety risk and decided to conduct a recall of all the potentially affected vehicles.

According to the defect report, the routing of the transmission wiring harness in certain 2020 GLC-Class (253 platforms) 4-Matic vehicles may not meet current production specifications. Due to deviations in the wiring harness length and the assembly process, the harness could come in contact with the front drive shaft and damage it over time. If this happens, drivers could experience a loss of propulsion and an increased risk of an accident. If the failure occurs, the driver would be made aware through a warning message in the instrument cluster.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the transmission wiring harness inspected and replaced as necessary. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V-494.

An investigation into reports of water intrusion into the passenger compartment of certain 2020-2021 Mercedes Benz GLE and GLS, cars and SUVs has led to a recall of over 6,000 vehicles. Owner notifications are expected to be mailed out in June.

According to the defect report, at the end of May 2019 Mercedes Benz launched an investigation into customer complaints of water intrusion into the driver and passenger side foot wells of certain GLE and GLS vehicles. The investigation revealed a deviation in the assembly process of the air conditioner drain hoses that would allow the drain hose to disconnect and condensation to enter the passenger compartment. If a significant volume of condensation enters, it could cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components.

NOTE: Drivers may experience problems with door locks and the vehicles emergency call (eCall) feature; the engine may not start or may enter limp-home mode. Sings that the problem exists include wet carpets in the front foot wells and fogged windows.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 GLE350
2020 GLE450
2020 GLE580
2020 GLS450
2020 GLS580
2021 AMG GLE53

Dealers will inspect and correct the installation of the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary. The NHTSA recall Campaign Number is 21V-288.

Mercedes Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2019-2020 AMG G63 and G550 vehicles because they could contain a differential locking module control unit that does not meet the current production specifications.

According to the defect report, a resistor on the board could be affected by the sulfur fumes from the axle oil. If the resistor is impaired, the electrical current could increase and cause communications between the control unit and the locking actuator to be shut down. Both ESP and ABS system would be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash under certain conditions. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through an illumined ABS and ESP message in the instrument panel.

Dealers will inspect the differential locking modules and replace them as necessary. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 20V-090.

Last month, an important case, for the first time put manufacturers on the hook for sales of used vehicles with problems beginning outside of the original manufacturer’s warranty, but still within the Certified Pre-Owned warranty. It has been unclear for years whether a manufacturer was required to buy back a used vehicle when the problems occurred after the original warranty expired.  As long as the problems still occur during the CPO warranty, they’re subject to the lemon law.  On the caveat, if the vehicle wasn’t purchased as a Certified Pre Owned vehicle, the manufacturer is off the hook if the problem occurs for the first time outside of the original warranty.  The concern with this case, if any, would be that the Certified Pre-Owned program given by all manufacturers may be canceled since the manufacturers don’t want the added responsibility.

The case involves the sale of a certified preowned Mercedes Benz that still had a portion of the new vehicle warranty remaining and an additional used vehicle warranty from the manufacturer. An un-repairable defect manifested after the expiration of the new vehicle warranty, but during the duration of the used vehicle warranty. Mercedes Benz refused to repurchase the vehicle. The plaintiff sued and a jury found Mercedes Benz liable under the Song Beverly Act for breach of the express warranty and the implied warranty of merchantability. The plaintiff was awarded the same compensatory damages on both causes of action.

Click Here to read a transcript of the case.

Daimler will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2019 Mercedes Benz rear drive model vehicles for a problem affecting the steering. The vehicles affected by this recall include:

  • 2015-2019 Mercedes Benz C300
  • 2018-2019 Mercedes Benz C350E
  • 2017-2019 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG
  • 2015, 2018 Mercedes Benz C63S AMG
  • 2019 Mercedes Benz CLS450
  • 2018 Mercedes Benz E300
  • 2018 Mercedes Benz E400
  • 2019 Mercedes Benz E450

According to the defect report, a production deviation of the rear wheel drive steering rack lock nut could result in internal material cracks that reduce the nuts strength. If a large lateral force, such as hitting a curb could cause the lock nut to break and the steering to become fixed in one position. There is no advanced warning that the lock nut could fail.

Owners receiving recall notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the steering rack replaced.

Mercedes Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2017-2018 Coupe vehicles regarding a problem affecting vehicle safety. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, a production deviation at the supplier has resulted in front seat back locks that to not lock properly. Unsecured objects in the rear seats might not be held back during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

The vehicles affected include:

  • 2017-2018 C300
  • 2017-2018 C43 AMG
  • 2017 C63 AMG
  • 2017-2018 C63S AMG
  • 2018 E400

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the seat back locks inspected and replaced as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners can contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 18V-207.

Daimler has determined that certain 2017 Mercedes Benz Metris vans may have been manufactured with front axle bearing retaining rings that were not seated correctly. The retaining rings could extend from the steering knuckles allowing the wheel bearing to move out of position. The problem could result in an ABS sensing error warning on the instrument panel, unfamiliar brake noises, unpredictable drive-ability and the loss of a wheel.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the front axle wheel bearing retaining rings inspected and correctly positioned as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact Daimler customer service at 1-877-762-8267.