Feb 27, 2026Visibility & wipers
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the sunroof. The sunroof cover was not opened. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the sunroof glass had shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA ODI 11721031
Oct 28, 2025Electrical systemVisibility & wipers
The air conditioning in my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV has failed due to a refrigerant (freon) leak, leaving the system unable to cool and properly defrost the windshield. This is not an isolated issue—many other GLE owners have reported the same failure on forums and blogs, suggesting a widespread defect. NHTSA has already issued Recall No. 23V177000 (March 2023) for improperly installed A/C drain hoses in 2020–2021 GLE/GLS models, which created water intrusion, electrical shorts, fire risk, and failures of critical systems (eCall, unlocking, limp mode). In addition, a Mercedes-Benz Technical Bulletin dated August 5, 2024 (NHTSA MC-11000597-0001) specifically identifies evaporator refrigerant leaks as a frequent cause of A/C failure. Safety Concerns Loss of cabin cooling in hot weather poses risk of driver fatigue or heat-related illness. Defogging/defrosting may fail in humid conditions, creating visibility hazards. Prior related A/C defects have been tied to short circuits and electrical risks. Consumer Impact This defect has created significant hardship. The A/C failure occurred far earlier than expected for a premium vehicle, leaving me with high out-of-pocket repair estimates. The lack of cooling makes the car unsafe and uncomfortable to drive in hot weather, and the inability to properly defog/defrost windows compromises visibility. I purchased a Mercedes-Benz with the expectation of reliability and safety, and this known defect has undermined that trust. Requested Action Mercedes-Benz should cover the repair costs for affected vehicles, and NHTSA should investigate whether an expanded recall is necessary to include A/C evaporator refrigerant leaks as part of the broader HVAC system defect.
NHTSA ODI 11696116
Mar 20, 2024Visibility & wipers
1)Wiper does run smoothly right from the time the car was purchased. 2) recently the glass window of passanger seat at the back opens very slowly when the button is pushed to pull the glass down.
NHTSA ODI 11578490
Mar 11, 2021Visibility & wipers
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS WAS PARTIALLY FRACTURED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND SEVERAL PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS FELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. WHILE PARKED, A SECONDARY VEHICLE PULLED UP BEHIND HER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED HER THAT SOME OF THE GLASS FROM THE SHATTERED SUN ROOF HAD STRUCK THEIR VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ONE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF LAGUNA NIGUEL (1 STAR DR, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN OBJECT HAD STRUCK THE SUN ROOF CAUSING THE SUN ROOF TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,040.
NHTSA ODI 11400332
Dec 30, 2020Body & structureSeatsVisibility & wipers
THE SENSOR FOR THE POWER TAILGATE IS NOT SENSITIVE ENOUGH TO OPEN / CLOSE THE TAILGATE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS CRACK AFTER THE WINTER STORM. I BELIEVE IT WAS RELATED TO THE EXTREME LOW TEMPERATURE UNDER MASSACHUSETTS WEATHER. IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE DAMAGE BY THE HIGHWAY ROCKS AS I COULD NOT FOUND ANY DAMAGE OF DENTS ON THE GLASS. THE DRIVER SEAT LEFT SIDE EDGE APPEARED CRACKING AFTER COUPLE MONTHS OF USE. IT IS A MB TEX MATERIAL WHICH IT CLAIMS THAT IT SUPPOSED TO BE MORE DURABLE AND CARE FREE THAN REGULAR REAL LEATHER BUT ACTUALLY IT WASN'T ON MY CAR.
NHTSA ODI 11385550