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2018 Mercedes Benz Gle Class Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Mercedes Benz Gle Class has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission failure to shift between P, R, N and D.” Mercedes-Benz alternates two service events: Service A (oil, filter, inspection) at roughly 10,000 miles or 1 year, then Service B (Service A plus brake fluid, cabin filter, and deeper checks) at roughly 20,000 miles or 2 years — the ASSYST Plus counter in the cluster tells you which is due. Oil must carry the MB-Approval number your engine specifies (commonly 229.5, or 229.71 for newer 0W-20 engines); 'meets or exceeds' marketing language is not an approval. Electric EQB and EQS models keep the A/B rhythm for inspections, brake fluid, and cabin filters — just without oil.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gle Class.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission failure to shift between P, R, N and D

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2022-09 → 2025-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11670176
“Car will slip from drive to neutral while driving and when stopped. Need to shut car off numerous times to get it back into drive. Very dangerous when this happens on the highway”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11531313
“Transmission gear does not shift into R or N or D, from P. How to reproduce: Drive several minutes, then brake/stop, shift into R, pull back 10~20 ft. Gear cannot shift to either R or N or D. Gear can only shift into P”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533144

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water intrusion causing fuel pump control unit failure

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2025-09

“The vehicle will not turn over and start. Unable to drive to work, water accumulated in the back spare tire area. No warning or alerts appeared on the dash the vehicle would not turn over”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11617052
“The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes that indicated a loss of communication between the fuel pump control unit and the fuel pump”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11617762
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11685152

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration from a stop

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2026-03

“The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a pharmacy parking lot with the hold feature engaged, the driver released the brake pedal. Immediately afterward, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward approximately 75 feet”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11723339
“CAR WAS STOPPED IN THE PARKING LOT,AND JUST BEFORE SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF,IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION, HITTING THE RESTAURANT WALL CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND LITTLE PHYSICAL INJURY. AFTER HITTING THE WALL CAR STOPPED WITH MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11172997
“WHILE PARKING CAR IN A PARKING SPOT IN PRIVATE OFFICE PARKING, THE CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF (WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE TO STOP IT) AND RAN INTO FRONT WALL. THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM HAS SHOWN EARLIER WHERE CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF WITHOUT CAUSING ANY ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11093754

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Deactivation of mbrace SOS and crash notification

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-08 → 2026-05

“Owners of affected Mercedes-Benz vehicles were given no meaningful advance warning that core, built-in safety and emergency communication systems would be permanently disabled”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11709827
“Safety issue with regarding the TCU (Telematics Control Unit). Active recall does not include my VIN# /Make & Model. NHTSA campaign number 22V365. My car has Constant SOS Inoperative Message after battery failure in 2021-2022”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11682413
“As previously noted, the mbrace system on my 2018 GLE-Class includes SOS/Emergency Call and Automatic Collision Notification functionality intended to contact emergency services in the event of a crash or airbag deployment, particularly where the driver may be incapacitated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11738453

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof shattering, detachment, and water leaks

STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2025-07

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319701
“I was driving on the interstate (on I95) and heard a loud pop/bang ! I didn’t know what it was because my AMG exhaust pops and bangs but this was extremely LOUD, I pulled over immediately to the side of the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11611840
“The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open, and there was a fracture causing water to leak into the cabin of the vehicle from the upper-right side”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675018

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dim low-beam headlight output at night

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2026-05

“The low beam visibility on this vehicle is extremely dangerous. It's as if you have no headlights on. They can inspect anytime. With low night visibility. Driver is not able to see the road or person which causes a delayed response because of visibility”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11737144
“LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY POOR AND I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT. I GOOGLED ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND I SEE LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON MERCEDES GLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11155427
“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ADEQUATELY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11154922

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Backup camera display failure in reverse

BACK OVER PREVENTION

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-01 → 2026-06

“Rear view camera fails to initiate when placed in reverse. Screen doesn’t even try to switch to camera view. Exact same issue found in same make and model recalled with different vins. For some reason this one isn’t included in the recall”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11745532
“The contact stated that while operating the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera screen display had malfunctioned and a black image had been displayed, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11635202

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering control loss and unintended swerving

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2024-04

“My car randomly swerves in a zigzag motion unexpectedly, nearly causing several accidents. I am scared to drive my car. I have not been able to detect any triggers, as it will do this randomly, regardless of a smooth road, street conditions, weather, speed, freeway…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11584258
“ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND LOW SPEED COLLISION WITH CONCRETE WALL. VARIOUS WARNING MESSAGES IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER APPEARED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11110871
“ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CAR SEEMINGLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL FROM THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY AND WAS UNABLE TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319892

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Service A — Oil & Filter + Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months: oil and filter with MB-Approved oil, fluid top-offs, tire check, and inspection. AMG models driven hard: many owners service at 5,000-7,500 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Service B — Major Inspection

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles or 2 years, alternating with Service A: everything in A plus brake-fluid replacement, cabin filter, and a deeper multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and driveline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every Service A where the tire sizes allow. Many AMG and 4MATIC+ models run staggered widths that can't rotate front-to-rear — check your spec before paying for a rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Checked at every A/B service via electronic pad-wear sensors. Replace sensors with pads. Heavy EQS models wear pads slowly (regen braking) but rotors can corrode from disuse — an inspection catches that.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced every 2 years as part of Service B — Mercedes schedules it on time, not miles, because DOT 4 fluid absorbs moisture regardless of driving.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7G / 9G-Tronic)

Every 70,000 mi

Mercedes specifies fluid and filter service around 70,000 miles on most 7G- and 9G-Tronic gearboxes — check your year's sheet. Use only the MB-spec fluid for your transmission code; independent specialists often service at 60,000 on hard-driven cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Most modern MB gas engines: plugs around 60,000 miles — AMG engines often sooner. Check your engine's sheet; twin-turbo V8 plug jobs are labor-heavy, so pair with other scheduled work.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace around every 40,000 miles (twin-filter setups on V6/V8 engines double the parts bill). Inspected at every Service B.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Combination / Dust Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced with every Service B. Models with the ENERGIZING air package use a higher-grade filter — priced accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

MB-spec coolant is long-life (typically ~10 years / 150,000 miles on the sheet). Refresh only with MB 325/326-spec coolant — the wrong chemistry attacks aluminum and head gaskets.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

12V & Auxiliary Battery

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Most modern Mercedes carry a second auxiliary battery; a weak one triggers cascading warning messages long before a no-start. EQ models also depend on the 12V system to boot.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

11 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gle Class reflects Mercedes-Benz's published service intervals and the ASSYST Plus (Service A / Service B) system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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