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2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
28%
14 of 50 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 28% of relevant complaints.

Better than 74% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 6 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 25%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 14 of 50 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (28%). For comparison, the 2017 scores 22% and the 2019 scores 23%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
14
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
56
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
0
8 crashes · 6 injuries

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN10 · 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 16%
SERVICE BRAKES8 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7 · 13%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6 · 11%
FUEL SYSTEM6 · 11%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
no data
2013
no data
2014
no data
2015
no data
2016
49%
48 of 107
2017
22%
14 of 75
2018
28%
14 of 56
2019
23%
7 of 34
2020
46%
53 of 123
2021
53%
44 of 84
2022
43%
26 of 63
2023
29%
9 of 31

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

ENGINE11/06/2025
While driving, the vehicle’s serpentine/fan belt snapped. The loose belt struck and pulled out a sensor plug. Immediately the engine shut down and was later found to be seized. The vehicle had no prior warnings or known issues and was maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. There were no other warning sig…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM09/04/2025
The fuel pump has been failing and shutting off and has been hesitant when taking off. It can leave you stranded in the middle of the road or if you turn left in front of people the car may stall and can cause a crash. Yes and independent dealer and the dealer both know it’s a problem. I took the vehicle into a Merce…
POWER TRAIN06/30/2025
Cannot shift the gear from P to any other positions, and unable to move the car. The issue has been existing from mid 2022, three years ago.

Three of 14 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Before you buy a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Questions people ask about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 14 of 50 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (28%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLE years are better?

Among the Mercedes-Benz GLE years we track, the 2017 (22%) and the 2019 (23%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2018 (28%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.