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Mercedes-Benz · Midsize / large SUV

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Hybrid
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
9 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA10
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid midsize or large SUV with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLE350, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 10 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
GLE350HybridRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion212823$3,350
GLE350 4maticHybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion192622$3,500
GLE450 4maticHybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion192521$3,700
GLE450 4matic (coupe)HybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion192521$3,700
AMG GLE53 4matic PlusHybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion182320$3,900
AMG GLE53 4matic Plus CoupeHybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion182220$3,900
GLE580 4maticHybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion152118$4,300
AMG GLE63 S 4matic PlusHybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion152017$4,550
AMG GLE63 S 4matic Plus CoupeHybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49518, 49519, 49597, 49598, 49600, 49601, 49595, 49592, 49928.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Seat Belts

203 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+, AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ COUPE, AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+, AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ COUPE, AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+, GLE 450 4MATIC COUPE, GLE 350 4MATIC, Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC, GLS 580 4MATIC, GLS 450 4MATIC, GLE 580 4MATIC, GLE 450E 4MATIC, GLE 450 4MATIC, and GLE 350 vehicles. The bolts for the rear seat belts may not be tightened properly.RiskA loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will tighten the rear seat belt bolts and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 5, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V353000reported May 29, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

932 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE 450 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 580 4MATIC, GLS 580 4MATIC, GLE 450 E 4MATIC, AMG GLE53 4MATIC, AMG GLS63 4MATIC, AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC, GLS 450 4MATIC, and GLS 600 4MATIC vehicles. The passenger air bag fabric may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.RiskAir bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 3, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V199000reported Mar 27, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

2026010003
82 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2025-2026 GLE 350 4MATIC vehicles. The center rear seat belts may have been installed without the child seat protection function and fail to lock a child restraint properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and FMVSS number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."RiskIn the event of a crash, an insufficiently restrained child has an increased risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the center rear seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 19, 2025. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026010003.
NHTSA campaign 25V864000reported Dec 12, 2025Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
10complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2025: 2 · 2026: 8

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance6
Electrical System4
Vehicle Speed Control3
Power Train2
Engine2
Service Brakes1

What owners describe

“If the driver seat belt is pulled too quickly from the retractor mechanism, the seat belt can not be retracted and then pulled across the drivers lap UNLESS the car is stopped and the driver door is opened. Example. I pull up to a toll booth. I release the seat belt from my lap to access my wallet. I pay the toll and s…”Jul 27, 2026 · Seat Belts · NHTSA owner report
“In most circumstances the adaptive cruise control (ADC) works well. There is one case where it does not, however. When ADC is active and the vehicle immediately in front shows, perhaps to make a turn, the ADC-equipped vehicle slows appropriately. The problem: Once the front vehicle is *well clear* of the driving lane, …”Jul 4, 2026 · Forward Collision Avoidance · NHTSA owner report
“2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 | ~2,800 miles | Mercedes-Benz of McKinney, McKinney, TX | No warning lamps preceded any failure. ISSUE 1 — Instrument cluster blacks out while driving The speedometer and tachometer display goes completely black without warning at normal road speeds. The only remedy is stopping, shutting o…”Jun 22, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other GLE-Class model years

C

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

3 recalls · 29 complaints

F

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

5 recalls · 37 complaints

F

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

5 recalls · 31 complaints

F

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

11 recalls · 70 complaints

F

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

22 recalls · 88 complaints

F

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

35 recalls · 121 complaints

D

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

6 recalls · 30 complaints

F

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

9 recalls · 55 complaints

F

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

12 recalls · 71 complaints

F

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

17 recalls · 98 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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