CarBrief

NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on file for the 2023 GLE-Class, and the largest groups involve forward collision avoidance and unknown or other components[1][2][3]. The car also has 3 recalls, so check that each repair was done[4].

17owner complaints[1]
3recalls[4]
17–22MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 17 complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, and none mention a fire, injury or death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Forward collision avoidance[2] 5
Unknown or other[3] 5
Brakes[6] 3
Electrical system[7] 3
Structure[8] 2
Lane departure[9] 2
Power train[10] 2
Speed control[11] 2

In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe a few things:

The counts are small, so treat these as things to check, not as a pattern across all owners.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[4]. Newest first[12][13][14]:

Before buying, ask for proof that all three repairs were done.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine. All run on premium fuel[5][15][16][17][18][19][20][21].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
GLE350, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, rear-wheel drive[17] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,750
GLE350 4matic, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo[18] 20 / 24 / 21 $3,900
GLE450 4matic, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[5] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,750
AMG GLE53 4matic Plus, 3.0L 6-cyl[15] 18 / 22 / 19 $4,350
AMG GLE53 4matic Plus Coupe[16] 17 / 21 / 19 $4,350
GLE580 4matic, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo[21] 16 / 21 / 18 $4,550
AMG GLE63 S 4matic Plus, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo[20] 15 / 20 / 17 $4,850
AMG GLE63 S 4matic Plus Coupe[19] 15 / 19 / 17 $4,850

Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Engine and size

EPA lists these horsepower ratings for 2023 GLE-Class test vehicles:

For the GLE 350 4MATIC 4-door SUV, Transport Canada lists a length of 194 in, width of 80 in, height of 71 in, wheelbase of 118 in and curb weight of 5,038 lb[25]. These are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

How 2023 compares with other years

2016: 61 complaints, 11 recalls20162017: 62 complaints, 10 recalls20172018: 42 complaints, 9 recalls20182019: 2 complaints, 5 recalls20192020: 93 complaints, 28 recalls20202021: 59 complaints, 17 recalls20212022: 43 complaints, 9 recalls20222023: 17 complaints, 3 recalls1720232024: 24 complaints, 6 recalls20242025: 32 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 15 complaints, 3 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each GLE-Class model year. The 2023 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20166111
20176210
2018429
201925
20209328
20215917
2022439
2023173
2024246
2025323
2026153

NHTSA data for the GLE-Class shows 17 complaints and 3 recalls for 2023[4]. Only 2019 (2 complaints), 2026 (15) and 2027 (0) have fewer complaints on file[4]. The years 2016 to 2018, 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025 all have more, from 24 up to 93[4]. On recalls, 2023 has the same 3 as 2025 and 2026, 2027 has none, and 2016 to 2022 and 2024 all have 5 or more[4]. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts are not adjusted for sales, so read this as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2023 GLE-Class?

The complaint file for this year is small, and it includes no fire, injury or death reports[1]. The three recalls matter more, especially the fuel pump issue that can cut drive power[13]. Ask for records showing all three repairs were completed[12][13][14]. On a test drive, pay attention to the driver-assist systems and the instrument display, since owners describe problems there[2][7]. Choose the engine with the fuel costs in mind, since EPA combined ratings run from 17 to 22 MPG[19][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
Among 17 NHTSA complaints, forward collision avoidance and unknown or other components lead with 5 each, followed by brakes and electrical system with 3 each[1][2][3][6][7].
Does the 2023 GLE-Class have any recalls?
Yes, 3 recalls: a fuel pump (23V880), a 48-volt ground connection (24V207) and rear window trim bars (23V178)[4][12][13][14].
How many miles per gallon does the 2023 GLE-Class get?
EPA combined ratings run from 17 MPG for the AMG GLE63 S to 22 MPG for the GLE350 rear-wheel drive and the GLE450[19][20][17][5].
Is the 2023 GLE-Class more reliable than other years?
It has 17 complaints and 3 recalls[4]. Only 2019, 2026 and 2027 have fewer complaints, but counts are not adjusted for sales[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 5 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for GLE450 4matic, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 2 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 24V207, filed March 15, 2024: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 23V880, filed December 21, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 23V178, filed March 17, 2023: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for AMG GLE53 4matic Plus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for AMG GLE53 4matic Plus Coupe, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 21 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for GLE350, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for GLE350 4matic, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for AMG GLE63 S 4matic Plus Coupe, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for AMG GLE63 S 4matic Plus, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for GLE580 4matic, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 255 to 258 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 362 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with 4.0L 8-cylinder: rated 483 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GLE 350 4MATIC 4DR SUV: length 194 in, width 80 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 5,038 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.