What 73 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-benz Gle-class Hybrid

Car took off after going over railroad track, and accelerated without driver being able to control it. The breaks and steering went out as well. It’s like car was being driven remotely. Crashed into fence, and there was no warning. The car accelerated. The car bounces back and forth when brakes are on, and again last year stopped in the middle of traffic. Water damage was leaking in as well after 8 months having this car. First major incident was December 2024, but rocking and began one month after purchasing vehicle in August of 2024. Acceleration incident; December 2024: 4 months after purchase; vehicle stopping in traffic: April 2025 8 months after purchase. Apparently new tires were put on. Almost had a blow out within 1 year and 4 months of purchase and found out when getting oil changed this past December 2025. Lights and radio randomly shut off, and gas’s tank is often locked or will not close. This car is scary, and has had problems that someone has covered up for a very long time. I have papers claiming everything was checked upon delivery; However; two incidences alone could have ended in multiple fatalities. Someone is responsible for hiding something something here, and this needs to be reported before someone or multiple people die that is due to a defect in the car. MCC 478-877-5740 478-737-2010

NHTSA ODI 11717901

The contact owned a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while slowing at approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn to pull into a driveway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a fence and came to a stop. The contact had not sustained any injuries, and medical attention was not needed. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that the fence was damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure but was taken to be repaired. The contact then stated that approximately a year later while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, into ongoing traffic at a cross street. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The contact also attempted to turn off the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact swerved right, and side swiped a fence, and the vehicle went through a front lawn of a house, striking some plants, and then struck a light post. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact had not sustained any injuries, but the passenger of the vehicle sustained injuries to the back, knees, legs, arms, scrapes on the head, and general aches all over the body. The passenger was taken to the Emergency Room and medical attention was provided. The contact stated that a Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,541.

NHTSA ODI 11701558

The vehicle accelerated on its own after a stop in front of the garage after stopping. It was so fast that it ramped into the building and destroyed it until a pillar put it to a stop.

NHTSA ODI 11562286

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was in the hold brake position while at a complete stop. The contact stated that the vehicle independently moved forward twice. The contact stated that the failure caused her to rear-end the vehicle in front. A police report was filed. The contact also stated that damage was done to both vehicles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,300.

NHTSA ODI 11550482

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE550E. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, an unknown message was displayed. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was confirmed that no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to Mercedes-Benz of Anaheim (5395 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807) where it was diagnosed with a transmission fluid leak. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to House of Imports (6862 Auto Center Dr, Buena Park, CA 90621) and the transmission was repaired; however, while pulling into his driveway, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into the garage. No warning lights were illuminated. No air bags were deployed. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11501056

With my foot on the brake,the car suddenly revved up and accelerated into my garage taking the garage door and the store belongings inside.i have video and pictures of the tire marks when I stepped harder on the brake to stop the acceleration.The transmission on the car had works done by two Mercedes Benz dealers and service personnel indicated the manufacturer has stopped making this hybrid model due to multiple problems. This car while driving on the freeway at 70 mi per hour suddenly flased a dashboard warning that say "start engine or the connections will shut down".Since it is middle of the night I had to exit t t he freeway and call a tow truck because I felt the car will stall for it happened once before.The dealer checked the car and said nothing is wrong with t h e car.I feel totally unsafe driving this car for fear of injury yo myself or to others I have videos and pictures to support this incident

NHTSA ODI 11501049

The brakes, possibly including the brake boosters, failed on the 2017 GLE SUV on 7/19/22. The car would not stop and crashed into a brick wall. Mercedes currently has a recall for the brake boosters for models similar to mine but not my model year. The recall should include the 2017 GLE models as well. The public and drivers are at risk for injury, including death. The car is available for inspection. It currently is housed at an insurance repair shop. No warning lamps illuminated to alert that the brakes were failing.

NHTSA ODI 11474904

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO MY 10/1/18 REPORT TO NHTSA: 2/21/19 UPDATE: I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MB DATED 2/13/19 STATING THAT AFTER A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER, "THE VEHICLE'S ACTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM (ABA) IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED". ON 11/12/18 I TRADED THIS CAR IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE (NOT MB). I TOOK THE RESPONSIBLE ACTION TO PROTECT MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS SINCE MB WAS NOT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING A CAUSE AND SUBSEQUENT REPAIR OF THEIR OWN VEHICLE'S SERIOUS DEFECT. THE LETTER WENT ON TO SAY "THAT THERE IS NO BASIS FOR ANY CLAIM AGAINST MBUSA". THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH LITIGATION THAN MANUFACTURING AND SERVICING A VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I WAS FULLY EXPECTING THAT MB WOULD WANT TO GET THIS VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND AT THE VERY LEAST REMOVE THE PORTION OF THE SOFTWARE THAT CAUSED THIS INCIDENT. INSTEAD THEY SENT ME THE ATTACHED LETTER THAT SOMEHOW MADE THE ISSUE MINE BY SAYING THAT ABA "IS AN ASSIST SYSTEM THAT IS INTENDED TO AID BUT NOT REPLACE THE DRIVER". AT NO TIME WAS I IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT DECIDED TO DO A 4 WHEEL LOCKUP. FOR THESE REASONS I WILL NEVER RETURN TO THE BRAND. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED WITH A BRAND THAT I BELIEVED TO BE A PREMIUM VEHICLE FROM A MANUFACTURER THAT TOOK DRIVER SAFETY SERIOUSLY. I WILL REPRODUCE THIS EMAIL IN THE EVENT THAT SOME 3RD PARTY WANTS DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE WARNED MBUSA OF THEIR PRODUCT DEFECT AND THAT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO PROTECT OR WARN THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AS I HAVE STATED IN THE PAST, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOT AN ISOLATED ANOMALY. YOU ARE ACTING RECKLESSLY IN NOT TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION.

NHTSA ODI 11181508

DURING A ROUTINE DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DRIVER ASSIST FUNCTIONS OVER-CORRECTED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO END UP OFF ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11181606

ELECTRONIC SHIFTER STAYS IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE PARKING. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND OFTEN CAUSES A DANGEROUS ROLLING CONDITION AFTER PARKING UNTIL THE DRIVER IS AWARE THE VEHICLE IS NOT STOPPED AND IN PARK. NO AUDIBLE ALERTS OR SAFETY WARNINGS ARE TRIGGED IF YOU DO NOT PRESS PARK. IN ONE CASE OUR VEHICLE ROLLED ACROSS A PARKING LOT CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TOTALING $4,213.95 AND COULD HAVE EASILY KILLED SOMEONE.

NHTSA ODI 11139376

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT 2 MPH I STRUCK A TRASH RECEPTACLE THAT WAS LOCATED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MERCEDES BENZ (MB) PARKTRONIC SENSOR DID NOT SOUND AN AUDIBLE ALARM UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO REACT. FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT I TESTED THE AUDIBLE ALARM SENSOR FOUR TIMES AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ALARM DID NOT SOUND UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS 3", 9", 9", AND 12" FROM THE TRASH RECEPTACLE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE REAR CORNER SENSOR ACTIVATES AT 32" - BUT IT DOES NOT STATE WHICH TYPE OF SENSOR ACTIVATES, I.E. VISUAL (FLASHING LIGHTS) OR AUDIBLE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE A BROKEN TAIL LIGHT COVER AND TEST THE SYSTEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED, AND THAT THE AUDIBLE SYSTEM DOES NOT SOUND UNTIL YOU ARE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO STRIKING AN OBJECT. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFIED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OTHER THAN TO STATE THAT THE REAR CORNER SENSOR ACTIVATES 32" FROM AN OBJECT. SINCE I RELY ON THE AUDIBLE SENSOR AND NOT THE FLASHING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, THE LACK OF CLARITY IS QUITE SERIOUS. HAD THERE BEEN A CHILD IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT A TRASH RECEPTACLE, I WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY STRUCK THE CHILD CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. AT NO TIME WAS I EVER INFORMED OF THE DIFFERENCE IN DISTANCES BETWEEN THE VISUAL AND AUDIBLE SYSTEMS. FURTHER, THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN VISUAL AND AUDIBLE DISTANCES WHEN DESCRIBING THE PARKTRONIC SENSORS. AFTER TESTING THE PARKTRONIC SYSTEM THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED, YET THE DEALERSHIP DID PROVIDE A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" ALTHOUGH I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WAS UPDATED. I BELIEVE THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY EXISTS IF A DRIVER RELIES ON THE AUDIBLE SENSOR WHEN BACKING UP THE VEHICLE. MB DEALERS SHOULD INFORM ALL DRIVERS WHOSE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SYSTEM OF THIS INHERENT DANGER.

NHTSA ODI 11082217