Mar 31, 2026EngineFire
My 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 experienced an unexpected vehicle fire on Feb 13th 2026. The vehicle was just parked when I noticed smoke from the engine. The vehicle caught fire within a short period of time, and 911 was called. There was no known external cause for the fire. The incident appeared to originate from the engine compartment. This created a serious safety hazard and posed a risk of injury and property damage. The fire required immediate response from the fire department, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. The vehicle is currently in the possession of the insurance company. This incident raises concerns about a potential mechanical or electrical defect. A vehicle should not catch fire under normal operating or parked conditions. I am requesting that this incident be reviewed as a potential safety defect.
NHTSA ODI 11728375
Jan 9, 2023EngineFire
The contact owned a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the dealer for 12 days for an oil change. The contact's son drove the vehicle 2 days later, at an undisclosed speed when the vehicle started smoking from the engine. The contact's son pulled over when the vehicle caught fire completely. The fire marshals came out to extinguish the fire, there were no injuries. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken for routine maintenance and twelve days later returned without an oil change. Oil was added to the vehicle and it started smoking.
NHTSA ODI 11500804
Jun 22, 2022Body & structureEngineFire
As I was driving down the freeway the whole vehicle caught on fire and we got out of the car and within 2-3 minutes while car was burned to ashes.
NHTSA ODI 11470389
Feb 1, 2021Engine1 injury
PLASTIC COOLANT UNION ON RADIATOR HOSE GOING FROM THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK TO THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE LH DRIVER SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT BULB. I WAS LEANING OVER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITH MY HEAD DOWN TO VIEW THE BACK SIDE OF THE HEADLAMP TO REMOVE THE BULB, THE PLASTIC COOLANT UNION BROKE AT THIS EXACT TIME SHOOTING HOT ENGINE COOLANT ALL OVER MY FACE. I'VE SUFFERED 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO MY FACE, LIPS, NECK AND CHEST AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS ON, AT IDLE SPEED, VEHICLE STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI 11390996