Peeps - can you please share your experience with GLE 53 AMG in terms of reliability? I hear about the 48V/12V battery issues. Is it that bad? Do most of the cars get it? Any other common issues? If we buy this, it will be our one and only family car (as other ones are 2 seaters).

 

I bought my 2021 GLE in late 2020. The 48 volt failures seem to center around a new battery released Q4 2020 (mine built 10/20) and Q1 2021. My battery failed in early 2021 and the replacement battery is working without issue. My 2020 GLE with the same 48 battery has not failed at 40k+, 3 1/2 years…the new owners were just in for 40k service, per my SA.
The other issue with mine was a since remedied problem with the camera. They found that the plastic camera housing was not cured properly causing “out gassing”. The cure was to bake the new housing at 200 degrees for an hour. You can bet that new cars will not have that issue since it required replacing the camera unit under warranty. My “53” had the Driver Assistance package so the camera caused issues with traffic sign recognition and adjusting speed to incorrect limits.
My advice would be to ignore the bashing by a few disgruntled members…most don’t own one and another has credibility issues, IMO.

Both of my new Mercedes GLE’s had solid drive trains and the GLE 53 is just fun to drive. They get decent fuel economy and don’t burn oil. The mild hybrid and electric boost remove any hint of Turbo lag. If you want the very best handling add the AMG Dynamic Plus Package if your budget can stand the $5200 price. It adds larger brakes and active sway bars that make the “53” more like driving a Sports Car than a heavy SUV.

Mercedes has built a complex vehicle prone to more issues than other brands. As always the Dealer is an important part of the decision process. There was never an issue with Mercedes trying to avoid repairs like I’ve encountered with other brands, Lexus included.

 

While I have a 580 not a 53, there's very little I can add to what Ron.S said - it's accurate.

Buy it, you and your family will be thrilled

 

2022 GLE53. Built and delivered FEB 2022. Approx 12,300 miles so far. Several road trips this year of between 650-900 miles roundtrip. Changed oil twice so far (myself) and 3rd OC will be any week now. Just changed both cabin air filters and main engine filter. Lifetime mpg 19.2 (all city/hwy combined) and averages 22 on long trips. Only run Shell V-power 93 octane. Live in FL so car does not see snow.
Major options: DA2,DA3,DA4,DB0,DC6,DT1,RXU,U78 (plus others, PM me if you want the whole list or search this forum for my other posts)
Zero issues to-date.

Runs and drives well - puts a smile on my face each day.

 

Does your dealership know if you change the oil? I frown upon the extended oil change interval recommended by MB-especially for a turbo engine.

I said I prefer to change the oil myself every 5000 miles and they said it would void the warranty because I'm not a MB certified mechanic. If I change it would they be able to tell it was changed? Even if I tidy up any trace of oil during the drain.

 

The 48V system failures is not just a Mercedes specific issue it seems.

Audi has released TSB’s for vehicles with 48V systems, Jag/LR have been having issues, and many of the new X7’s which use a new 48V system similar to MB have been reported on the forums with not starting.

 

you can change your own oil and not void the warranty. Keep receipts of everything that you buy and I also took photographs of every oil change with time and date stamp. A bit overboard but I file it all away in Dropbox if I ever need it if they have a question about what I did.
Initial OC at 2500 then every 5k for me.

 

yes I test drove the car with this package and I felt it drove like a small sedan. I wouldn’t buy one without it.

thanks for your input

 

Does anyone who bought the car recently faced the same 48V battery issue?

I wouldn’t mind it as it is covered under warranty period but I would mind it if I get stranded in the middle of no where.

 

Getting stranded could be a concern.

The fact that there hasn't been a recall, might indicate that the problem isn't as widespread as feared on the forum.

I'd worry more about the fires and other massive impacts that have caused recalls in other brands.

My shop claims that they haven't had a battery failure with the new part number. In early 2020, they were using the old part, and some of those failed too.

I think it's the less of an issue than with Chevrolet, Ford, Tesla, Hyundai and others.

It's still in the back of my mind, however.

P.S. heading out into wintery weather for a 1500 mile trip next week. Absolutely no battery issues in 20,000 miles in my 21 AMG 53. Damaged tire, though.

 

I would be in a different brand, if it wasn't for Active Ride Control, part of the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. It makes the car.

 

Duplicate

 

There’s a class action lawsuit about the batteries making its way through the court system. I don’t know what the latest status is and I’m not a lawyer nor someone who wants to read though the entire legal case file, but here it is. I’m not sure if it has been granted class status yet, though, as these things sometimes take a long time to proceed. This pending lawsuit might be a reason it hasn’t been recalled yet as that is sometimes an admission in itself (I’m speculating and thinking out loud and basing this on no fact).

https://www.classaction.org/news/a-l...action-alleges

https://www.classaction.org/media/sc...-llc-et-al.pdf

 

Read Consumers Reports. The GLE was just awarded a position on the 10 Least Reliable Vehicles list.

 

Or read Edmunds, top rated Lux SUV - Again. Good source for car reviews.
CU? Lively cupholder discussions.

It's pretty hard to put much stock in a magazine article, unless you're familiar with the Reviewer and respect his/her approach.

 

Oh, NO! Consumer Reports just announced that they are calling only one truck "unreliable." Toyota Tundra. The bottom of the barrel. (Hand wringing emoji)

Maybe Toyota didn't have enough recalls to become a Top Pick. Being the Recall Leader seems to be Hyundai's biggest claim to fame.

(Yes I'm bashing CR. They have their opinions, but too many people actually base their car buying decisions on their opinions, IMO.)

 

Just curious is the 48V problem only with GLE 53/63 cars or also with the GLE 350 base cars?

 

I owned the 2020 and had ONE MINOR hiccup with electrical system and a few recalls. I then bought a 2021. It has been the most reliable Benz I've driven and I've owned a C, E, S, SL, ML, GLC etc. over 25+ years... my current 2021 GLE450 has ..22,000 miles. I've never had a single issue with the car. I have a 2023 on order.

 

The 350 doesn’t have the 48-Volt mild hybrid. However, there have been documented cases here and elsewhere of the 4-cylinder engine found in the 350 having issues as well. I don’t know the engine number but it’s found in a few models and you can probably find some reports if you search around.

 

The referenced four cylinder was a previous generation engine, not found in V167s.
Low relationship - different designs, major components are new. Pistons, crank, connecting rods, lubrication design.

I think we've actually heard of two failures. One appeared to be lack of maintenance and the other was a valve seat. That One is "oft quoted" as indication of "typical Mercedes crap" by the same persons, but they are unable to provide real data, so not reliable reports.

 

Crazy how BMW is now just slightly less reliable than Lexus. BMW moved up 10 spots in a year. My S580 had to be towed to the dealer with less than a couple thousand miles and had a couple of other parts fail within a year of ownership.

 

What happened to your car that caused it to be towed?
We can add that to our database. Thanks.

 

The Base GLE350 does not have a 48 Volt Battery

 

If I remember correctly, he had an early build ‘21 S-Class which suffered a battery issue.

 

Thanks.
My '21 53 was a Feb build. No problems to date.

I wonder if the S and GLEs have a different run of batteries. Or if they are even the same battery / supplier.