Used Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (W167/C167) review

Exterior:

• Starting with something as simple as the badges, whatever adhesive Mercedes has used simply isn’t holding up. Numerous owners report their badges loosening and eventually falling off, sometimes within months of ownership.
• Then there’s the paint quality, which is a widespread complaint among GLE owners. Online forums are flooded with photos showing orange peel effects and subpar finishes, even on post-update models. The issue is so prevalent that some owners have demanded, and occasionally received, paint correction from their dealerships.
• Panel gaps are another concern. Normally, inconsistent gaps are a red flag for accident damage, but in the case of the GLE, whether wagon or coupe, it’s often just factory inconsistency straight from the production line.
• The fit and finish of the panoramic sunroof also leaves much to be desired, particularly on the Coupe variant, where owners have reported misalignment and poor sealing.
• Now, onto electronics, and this is where things get really worrying. Driving toward the sun late in the day can cause the forward-facing camera to malfunction, disrupting critical systems like driving assist and emergency braking. The fix? A new camera and software update, which is all well and good under warranty, but becomes an expensive headache once it’s out of coverage.
• The rear-view camera can randomly deploy every time the car stops. Some owners have found a convoluted DIY fix involving a straight-line drive, cruise control, and a manual recalibration, details of which can be found in owner groups.
• The fuel filler door can also be an outright nightmare. Some owners have had their cars towed because they were low on fuel and the filler door refused to open. Forcing it open can trigger the immobiliser, sometimes rendering even the key useless and requiring another tow. Others experience the opposite issue, the fuel door won’t stay shut, with one owner resorting to carrying a roll of gaffer tape for this exact problem.
• The powered tailgate is another point of frustration. It may fail to open due to actuator faults, refuse to close, or worse, open randomly on its own, even while driving or under a low roof, leading to costly damage.
• Power-folding mirrors have also been known to randomly close and refuse to reopen, leaving owners with an unexpected blind spot.
• Owners report that keyless entry and locking faults are rampant. The GLE might unlock itself at random or fail to respond to the key fob altogether, even a backup fob won’t work. Some owners resort to using the Mercedes app for access, but this can be unreliable depending on location and network availability.
• Dealership responses to these issues range from bizarre to dismissive. Some owners have been advised to “shake the key fob to wake it up,” or to carry both fobs simultaneously, one to trigger the car, the other to send the signal. Others have simply been told to accept that “radio wave interference” is an unavoidable part of life.
• One of the most frequently reported frustrations, and one that conveniently aligns with one of our partners, is that the windscreen wipers often skip and shudder across the glass. They don’t last long, and what Mercedes charges for replacements is frankly outrageous. One Sydney-based owner complained about this to their dealership, only to be told that there is no fix and “this is just how windscreen wipers are now.” That’s a blatant lie, this could be another example of manufacturers and dealerships attempting to take advantage of customers.
• A quick warning when it comes to aesthetics: the larger 22” wheel packages undeniably look the part, but big wheels combined with skinny tyres and Australian roads can spell disaster. Many owners have reported cracked and damaged rims.
• And remember, the GLE weighs over two tonnes. If you enjoy an enthusiastic drive, be prepared to replace consumables like tyres and brakes more often than expected. And, as with all things Mercedes, parts are going to cost a premium.
• Speaking of costs, many owners strongly advise against taking the GLE to the dealership for any non-warranty work. Dealership hourly rates are often exorbitant, and Mercedes OEM parts are priced accordingly. Several owners recommend visiting independent mechanics and using aftermarket parts, not only can this save a fortune, but the quality of both parts and workmanship can be superior, with some components lasting longer than factory originals.

Interior:

• Much like the exterior, stepping inside the GLE initially feels like an experience in luxury. The design, materials, and overall ambiance are stunning, but is all this just a distraction from a potential disaster lurking beneath?
• Mercedes seems to have dropped the ball on basic fit and finish. Owners report leather looking worn or loose from the factory, misaligned stitching, particularly on the steering wheel and climate control panel, and general upholstery defects that dealerships dismiss as “within Mercedes quality parameters.”
• Some materials are surprisingly fragile, with leather prone to cracking and scuffing if not meticulously maintained.
• We’ve pointed this out before in recent Mercedes models, but it bears repeating, the interior might look spectacular, but much of the structure behind it seems to be made from the cheapest, most rattle-prone plastic Mercedes could find. Entire forum threads are dedicated to tracking down the sources of various rattles and squeaks, to the point where some owners simply accept that part of owning a modern Mercedes means living with an ever-present symphony of interior noises.
• As with the exterior, electronic faults are numerous. Here are just some of the most commonly reported issues, listing them all would take days.
• The head-up display has a tendency to glitch.
• Doors can randomly lock and unlock at rapid speed, as if possessed.
• More recent models are starting to suffer from failing air conditioning evaporators. While typically fixed under warranty, some owners have endured months-long wait times for replacement parts, a nightmare in the Australian climate.
• Infotainment issues are just as infuriating. Apple CarPlay can struggle to maintain a connection, while Android Auto is known to randomly disconnect for 10 seconds before reconnecting. Some owners have even experienced their stereo blasting music at full volume while the car is parked and turned off.
• The entire system can freeze, crash, and require a full restart, or worse, a software or hardware update, only for the same issues to return weeks later.
• Usability complaints abound. Voice commands are unreliable, the native sat-nav shouldn’t be trusted, and on updated models, Mercedes has swapped physical buttons for touch-sensitive controls. This might save the company money, but it’s a usability nightmare, prone to accidental inputs and frustrating to use while driving.

Mechanically:

• These engines are still relatively new, so widespread reliability issues are yet to surface. However, recent Mercedes-Benz engines haven’t exactly built a reputation for longevity, so time will tell.
• The 3.0L biturbo inline-six (M256) mild hybrid has so far proven largely reliable, though a few issues have emerged, such as oil leaks from the valve cover, moderate oil consumption complaints, and occasional failures of the 48V water pump. Fortunately, these issues are generally covered under warranty.
• The diesel engines, the 2.0L (OM654) and 2.9L (OM656), share common traits. Early versions could suffer from rocker failures leading to camshaft damage, though this seems to have been resolved in later models.
• However, tandem pump failures (vacuum & oil) are rare but extremely expensive to fix, requiring an engine-out procedure.
• Water pump failures, particularly in the six-cylinder variant, are also costly due to their difficult access.
• Mechanically, one thing is clear, the recommended 25,000km service intervals are ridiculous. We highly recommend servicing every 10,000km or 12 months at the absolute maximum.

Driving:

• Keeping the GLE running smoothly can be interesting. Some owners report the car shuddering at idle before stalling, requiring multiple restarts to get moving again. Others have experienced the GLE shutting off randomly while driving, forcing an emergency pull-over and restart.
• The transmission is another source of frustration. Select Comfort mode, and the gearbox may suddenly refuse to shift, leaving you to manually override it with the paddles. The solution? Yet again, pull over and restart the car.
• Driver assist features—including cruise control and lane assist—can also cut out unexpectedly. And, of course, the recommended fix? Another restart. Owning a GLE is a bit like using an old computer, expect the system to crash, but a hard reset should get things working again… for a while.