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 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

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