maalox

I had the same issue in my October 2019 GLE450 with 4->3 and 3->2 downshifts being a bit rough occasionally (more noticeable in sport and sport+ but still in comfort). Not super jerky but enough to be a bit annoying to me as the driver.

I mentioned it to the dealer a couple times but they never formally looked at it since I didn't want to keep my car with them for too long.

Anyway, I recently crossed 10K km (limited driving since I got it 2 years ago) and also performed my B Service back in October. Since then I don't notice it much at all anymore. Not sure if it went away on its own or the B Service helped...

CaliBenzDriver

The transmission control software learns adaptations from all the previous shifts. It will soon be perfectly smooth (~7000kMi) with butter up/down shifts.

The disappointment comes from the fact these wicked down shifts are about a decade old. Smoother preset values could well be factory loaded.

I guess they're trying to reinforce the illusion of luxury by getting "excellent service" through their dealer network.

For some reasons..., Daimler keeps carrying forward a sweet collection of proven problems. Historically Japanese were taught statistical quality improvements by Dr. Deming.

Germans are purposely not squashing any of their licensing partners by being an imperfect giant. They are by far the most sophisticated in every aspect. Good or bad, everything is managed with extreme minutiae.

deeluk

I’ve been reading that a TCU reset (foot on pedal with engine off procedure) would fix the transmission jerkiness. Should I do this and start over with 1k miles in? Or keep driving hoping it will improve over time?

CaliBenzDriver

yes, you sure can try it... but don't expect reset to help normalize hard shifts.

The problem occurs when the tranny decides to shift gears *at the wrong time* in relation to engine speed, pedal position, ATF temperature etc...

There's nothing wrong with the mechanical gearbox itself only the integrated controller software leaves a bit to desire. Just give it time to learn your drive data and adapt shifts points.

Take it easy while this is happening so you don't send too much clutch material around your valve screens.

robert c

Since this is one of several problems that can’t be fixed with the GLE of ours 2020 about 50,000 miles I’m throwing the towel in and no more. Gladly going back to Lexus. The worst two issues with ours is the engine management system off idle and the unbearable wind noises above 75. The badly surging engine reminds me of the first turbo cars in 80.
Robert

WRA1963

Same here with my 2022 GLE 450. What's interesting is that I also have a 2021 Kia Telluride and it has the same problem. It's worse in the Kia than the 450. I wonder if there is some common component that's being used in some of all vehicles these days. Manufacturers may be doing any and everything to keep their heads above water.

WRA1963

Update: I tried something with my 450. Disconnect only the negative terminal from the battery for about 30 minutes. Reconnect it. Start it up and drive it. That seems to have help with the jerky downshifting. I can still feel it a little, but it's definitely not as bad.

davidmh713

I also have the same problem with my GLE 350 but in addition to locking up in 1st gear my vehicle does not like to shift into 9th gear. I read that the exhaust pressure switch is the problem. Has anybody changed this and does it fix the problem?

Streamliner

I’m currently driving a brand new 2022 GLE350 loaner and it does the same thing. Had a different 2022 GLE350 loaner a few weeks ago and it did not do that. Seems to be the luck of the draw.

CaliBenzDriver

@WRA1963 That's a confirmed good news 👏

This reboot procedure helps normalize many things... it's becoming a MB cure all magic.
This help emphasize a software instability is behind this fancy networked chaos.

Good thing disconnecting the battery does not clear the learned shift point data out of the tranny. It clears stupid peripheral modules like SAM's that are wasting CPU cycles of VIP Modules.

Do this procedure once or twice a month

mikapen

SAMs are always listening, waiting for a "call" from the ECU, but no other activity occurs unless there is an acknowledgement (like a Handshake) on the CAN-Bus. That one of its beauty - it relieves all the ECS's from having to process non-info.

I didn't know that disconnecting the ground wouldn't reset the transmission.
It seems easier to just reset the transmission, instead having to break out tools.

TonyF61

I am experiencing the same issue with a '22 GLE 450. Dealer said they couldn't replicate the issue. All they had to do was drive it a few feet .
I'm waiting to see if anyone else has performed this procedure and what success they had.

cypress822

I have a 21 450, and this is my major gripe with the car. Downshifts are so abrupt and harsh. It has not learned my driving style to say the least. I am wondering if the dealer can reset the software/memory????
Thoguhts?

CaliBenzDriver

there are many-many services that can be done to the transmission but honestly I think dealers are not rushing because they have not been handed the fix by the factory. At this stage it's all busy work round-robin. Keep an eye on TSB's for joy related to issues you may have.

It is what it is:
Once you car is over 7kMi, the smart tranny controller module is done learning to work with the engine and your style.
Resetting the adaptations, I don't think goes in the way of executing timely smooth shifts. Retraining maybe.... someone correct me if the dealer redoing adaptations made his tranny shifts become world-class.

Not so good news:
The poor tranny shifts make it very obvious when it's disrupted. Limp mode being a polite extreme.

They are many other modules that play the same fiddle but are less obvious to catch creating chaos.

The ECU, the SAM's, the door modules, the headlights.... safety related modules (brakes, steering, throttle, SRS) are nicely kept off chart.

Frenetic

My transmission isn’t very smooth, either, at least compared to BMW’s eight speed. But I haven’t even passed the break in mileage so I’ll reserve judgement until then. It seems to be getting better, though, versus some of the clunks I first encountered right off the lot.

However, aren’t BMW’s ubiquitous eight speed made by ZF, same as Mercedes’ nine speed?

W205C43PFL

MB transmissions are MB's inhouse developed transmissions.

chassis

Yes, and MB in house transmissions are terrible compared with ZF and Aisin boxes. MB should have long ago exited their transmission operations and left it to the people who know what they are doing (Aisin and ZF).

There is no "break-in" mileage for an MB transmission. The performance of an MB transmission goes only one way after leaving the showroom: downhill.

mikapen

I think the transmission learns your driving style in an afternoon's driving.
Just like the remaining range of your fuel, which adjusts according to your recent driving style.
I've never seen or heard of a rough shift causing limp mode.

I particularly like my transmission and prefer it over the ZF ones that I've had. Hard to compare though, because each manufacturer has their own software package.

CaliBenzDriver

... don't mix everything in one lump.


Tranny works as well as ECU lets it ...
The issue here is the shifts quality are closer to poor than excellent.

When everything runs great tranny shifts are all executed seemlessly like a machine gun. The issue is with the interface with the ECU boss. ECU calls the shifts to match engine throttle control...

Tranny usual mode is degraded but try a "battery reboot" to refresh soft-crashed buggers. It will temporarily improve networking timings.
Then go for a 5 miles drive, observe differences in tranny work...

Frenetic

One thing I’ve noticed is that is doesn’t shift very well while slowing down to a stop. I can feel it and hear it slightly lurch as it downshifts as I slow to a near stop. The 8-speed ZF BMW tranny was smooth like butter; shifts were imperceptible.

mikapen

Good job. You must have read my previous posts.

Streamliner

Isn’t it absolutely astonishing that a company like MB, that has been producing automatic transmissions for many decades, just can’t seem to hit the nail on the head any longer? I know, it’s a software issue, but still, this is pretty ridiculous. I guess they have their vehicles fine tuned down to the Nth degree and any tiny blip of a glitch changes how they operate. They bought back my $131,000.00, 2020 S560 earlier this year due to a rough 3-2 downshift that they “couldn’t” fix. I believe that they could have fixed it, but chose not to. Meanwhile, millions of Asian econoboxes are produced annually, most every single one with a smooth shifting transmission. Oh well.

GregW / Oregon

Never a hint of a transmission issue in 25k miles on my 450. Works perfectly.

Streamliner

Of course, the vast majority of newer MB’s have transmissions that work just fine. However, when some poor guy ends up with a bad one—something that happens WAY too often—it really is irritating and disappointing—especially when MB can’t or won’t fix the problem.

Our 2019 SL450 and 2019 E450 Wagon shift flawlessly.

mikapen

If it has happened to you, that would be "Way too often." That's unfortunate.
Can you provide the buyback numbers for transmissions, or any other fault?
I can't find any data - just forum posts, but it's hard to equate them to a general population of GLE owners.

I bought a Performance Auto, and I expect it to shift crisply, which it does when asked. Then, after I settle down and keep my foot out of it, so does the car, including downshifts. But the throttle response is so Immediate, that it's hard to be "gentle." If I spend a day or two resisting the urge to move quickly, the tranny becomes pretty lame, just like those "smooth shifting ZF's."

There's another factor in M-B's shifting algorithms - the speed that you depress the pedals. A quick stab on the gas is interpreted as your desire to move immediately, and it downshifts to the best performance gear for that speed. In other words, it's anticipating your intent.
If you only increase pedal pressure gradually, it probably won't downshift at all, and it won't "learn" aggressive driving.

Try Hyper-miling for an afternoon and see if your transmission doesn't learn to assist your hyper-miling. It kind of does.
BTW in Comfort, the final downshift coming to a stop is harder than in Sport, in my experience.
Or maybe focus on how much fun the car is to drive.