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Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Best and Worst Years

Recalls and crash-test ratings for every model year from 2016 to 2026, from official NHTSA data.

Model yearsData retrieved By Sources & methodology

Short answer

Among Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class model years through 2024, 2023 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (5) and 2020 has the most (36). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.

Quick read

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: Key Facts

Model years with data
11 (2016–2026)
Distinct recall campaigns
73
Fewest recalls
2023 (5)
Most recalls
2020 (36)
Most recalled system
Electrical system (21)
5-star overall rating
2021, 2022 and 2023

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Recalls and Ratings by Model Year

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class — NHTSA recall campaigns and overall crash rating, model years 2016–2026
Model yearRecall campaignsOverall crash ratingMost recalled systems
2026 Recent: still collecting recalls 3 Not rated Seat belts, Air bags
2025 Recent: still collecting recalls 3 Not rated Air bags, Seat belts, Visibility
2024 6 Not rated Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Engine and engine cooling
2023 5 5 stars Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical system, Power train
2022 11 5 stars Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Structure
2021 19 5 stars Electrical system, Communication, Fuel system, gasoline
2020 36 Not rated Structure, Electrical system, Air bags
2019 6 Not rated Communication, Structure, Fuel system, gasoline
2018 9 Not rated Communication, Structure, Electrical system
2017 12 Not rated Air bags, Communication, Latches/locks/linkages
2016 18 Not rated Air bags, Electrical system, Structure

The scale of the difference

Recall Campaigns by Model Year

Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.

  1. 20263 recalls
  2. 20253 recalls
  3. 20246 recalls
  4. 20235 recalls
  5. 202211 recalls
  6. 202119 recalls
  7. 202036 recalls
  8. 20196 recalls
  9. 20189 recalls
  10. 201712 recalls
  11. 201618 recalls

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: Analysis

How to read recall counts

A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.

What the recalls were about

Across all model years, the systems named most often in Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class recalls are electrical system (21), structure (17), fuel system, gasoline (14), communication (13) and air bags (10). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA has an overall star rating for 3 of these 11 model years, and 2021, 2022 and 2023 earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.

FAQ: Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Best and Worst Years

What are the best years for the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?

By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2023 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 5 each.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class model years have the most recalls?

2020 has the most, with 36 recall campaigns each.

Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?

No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.

Sources & methodology

Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "GLE-Class", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.

NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by . Editorial policy