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I took delivery of my new GLE 350 in November 2024. Within a month, the right parking brake mechanism malfunctioned, triggering a warning message on the console. I brought the vehicle to the dealership, and they repaired it under warranty. Nevertheless, I am disappointed that a brand-new car experienced such a failure within the first month of ownership.
The more persistent issue, however, involves the key fob. Over five months, the battery died four times, with each lasting approximately one month. For the first two occurrences, I replaced the battery myself. After that, I took the car to the dealership twice. On both occasions, they performed diagnostics on the vehicle and the key fob but found no faults. They merely updated the software, replaced the battery, and returned the car to me. The dealership declined to provide a replacement key fob, citing the absence of an error code.
I then contacted Mercedes-Benz Customer Care, which has the authority to approve a warranty replacement for the key fob. However, they stated that four failures were insufficient to warrant a replacement. Instead, they instructed me to return to the dealership repeatedly—with no specified threshold for the number of failures required—before they would consider a replacement. This is particularly frustrating given the inconvenience of a non-functional key fob (though there is a workaround to unlock the doors and start the car without the battery).
Overall, I am dissatisfied with the quality of the vehicle (given the parking brake malfunction and recurring key fob issues) and with the Customer Care team’s approach, which does not prioritize customer experience. This stands in stark contrast to the service standards of customer-centric companies like Amazon.
Am I running out of options to get a replacement key fob?
I took delivery of my new GLE 350 in November 2024. Within a month, the right parking brake mechanism malfunctioned, triggering a warning message on the console. I brought the vehicle to the dealership, and they repaired it under warranty. Nevertheless, I am disappointed that a brand-new car experienced such a failure within the first month of ownership.
The more persistent issue, however, involves the key fob. Over five months, the battery died four times, with each lasting approximately one month. For the first two occurrences, I replaced the battery myself. After that, I took the car to the dealership twice. On both occasions, they performed diagnostics on the vehicle and the key fob but found no faults. They merely updated the software, replaced the battery, and returned the car to me. The dealership declined to provide a replacement key fob, citing the absence of an error code.
I then contacted Mercedes-Benz Customer Care, which has the authority to approve a warranty replacement for the key fob. However, they stated that four failures were insufficient to warrant a replacement. Instead, they instructed me to return to the dealership repeatedly—with no specified threshold for the number of failures required—before they would consider a replacement. This is particularly frustrating given the inconvenience of a non-functional key fob (though there is a workaround to unlock the doors and start the car without the battery).
Overall, I am dissatisfied with the quality of the vehicle (given the parking brake malfunction and recurring key fob issues) and with the Customer Care team’s approach, which does not prioritize customer experience. This stands in stark contrast to the service standards of customer-centric companies like Amazon.
Am I running out of options to get a replacement key fob?
Sorry to hear. You are witnessing the normal and expected MB ownership experience.
I took delivery of my new GLE 350 in November 2024. Within a month, the right parking brake mechanism malfunctioned, triggering a warning message on the console. I brought the vehicle to the dealership, and they repaired it under warranty. Nevertheless, I am disappointed that a brand-new car experienced such a failure within the first month of ownership.
The more persistent issue, however, involves the key fob. Over five months, the battery died four times, with each lasting approximately one month. For the first two occurrences, I replaced the battery myself. After that, I took the car to the dealership twice. On both occasions, they performed diagnostics on the vehicle and the key fob but found no faults. They merely updated the software, replaced the battery, and returned the car to me. The dealership declined to provide a replacement key fob, citing the absence of an error code.
I then contacted Mercedes-Benz Customer Care, which has the authority to approve a warranty replacement for the key fob. However, they stated that four failures were insufficient to warrant a replacement. Instead, they instructed me to return to the dealership repeatedly—with no specified threshold for the number of failures required—before they would consider a replacement. This is particularly frustrating given the inconvenience of a non-functional key fob (though there is a workaround to unlock the doors and start the car without the battery).
Overall, I am dissatisfied with the quality of the vehicle (given the parking brake malfunction and recurring key fob issues) and with the Customer Care team’s approach, which does not prioritize customer experience. This stands in stark contrast to the service standards of customer-centric companies like Amazon.
Am I running out of options to get a replacement key fob?
Are you storing the fob in close proximity to the vehicle at home? If so, that could be the issue.
Is it same for both keys? Try moving the key away from the vehicle when not using it as suggested, in case the battery senses the vehicle nearby, constantly talking to it. If you move it away, it will eventually go into standby mode. You could also try disabling the key by double pressing the lock button, or try a faraday pouch/box.
No. I am aware of the constant communication between the key and the car software if it's within 9 feet (dealer's comment). My key is stored in a drawer about 25 feet from my garage.
My key is far away from the car (25 ft), so there shouldn't be any constant communication. I am not aware of the key disabling function. Normally my car is not locked and parked in my garage. So, double pressing the lock button will disable the key and stop any potential communication with the car software?
My key is far away from the car (25 ft), so there shouldn't be any constant communication. I am not aware of the key disabling function. Normally my car is not locked and parked in my garage. So, double pressing the lock button will disable the key and stop any potential communication with the car software?
I've heard that to be the case, but I don't trust it.
Also, I've tried it to keep opening the tailgate inadvertently while the key's in my pocket, but that hasn't been successful either. 2021 GLE.
I've been using one of these TPU molded key fob covers for a few years and it has dramatically cut down on my inadvertent key presses coming from the keys being in my pocket- it's not perfect but it helps a lot.
I've heard that to be the case, but I don't trust it.
Also, I've tried it to keep opening the tailgate inadvertently while the key's in my pocket, but that hasn't been successful either. 2021 GLE.
Perhaps a random button was pressed when you put it in the pocket which reactivates the key, the buttons can be easily press from experience without much effort. I guess there is a reason why forum members modded the tailgate button so it doesn't pop open the tailgate in the pocket. https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...g-key-fob.html
Edit: I see, you commented in this thread before.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Apr 13, 2025 at 04:50 PM.
I've been using one of these TPU molded key fob covers for a few years and it has dramatically cut down on my inadvertent key presses coming from the keys being in my pocket- it's not perfect but it helps a lot.
My key is far away from the car (25 ft), so there shouldn't be any constant communication. I am not aware of the key disabling function. Normally my car is not locked and parked in my garage. So, double pressing the lock button will disable the key and stop any potential communication with the car software?
Try locking your car and see if that makes a difference with the key fob battery life.
I leave my GLE 450 unlocked in the garage all the time. My key fob has been working for almost 2 years. The key is stored probably 40 - 50 feet from the vehicle and my garage walls have foil insulation so the signal probably doesn't carry far. I am surprised that the dealership hasn't replaced the key fob just to make you go away. You should have two key fobs, do both of them exhibit this behavior or just the one?
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
What brand of battery is being used. A similar problem was discussed elsewhere on these forums. The consensus is that, for whatever reason, the battery brand made a difference and Panasonic was the brand to get. I have done that and it seems to work for me. Honestly, getting a bunch and changing them out is a lot easier than going to the dealer, etc.
What brand of battery is being used. A similar problem was discussed elsewhere on these forums. The consensus is that, for whatever reason, the battery brand made a difference and Panasonic was the brand to get. I have done that and it seems to work for me. Honestly, getting a bunch and changing them out is a lot easier than going to the dealer, etc.
I leave my GLE 450 unlocked in the garage all the time. My key fob has been working for almost 2 years. The key is stored probably 40 - 50 feet from the vehicle and my garage walls have foil insulation so the signal probably doesn't carry far. I am surprised that the dealership hasn't replaced the key fob just to make you go away. You should have two key fobs, do both of them exhibit this behavior or just the one?
I have been using my main key only. Testing the spare key will take another 4 to 6 weeks. For now, I will lock my car and keep the key 50 feet from the garage to test this theory, especially if there are changes in the 2025 model (unlikely). If it still fails, I will switch to my spare key to test.
What brand of battery is being used. A similar problem was discussed elsewhere on these forums. The consensus is that, for whatever reason, the battery brand made a difference and Panasonic was the brand to get. I have done that and it seems to work for me. Honestly, getting a bunch and changing them out is a lot easier than going to the dealer, etc.
I don't remember what brand I used for the first two times. Probably Duracell. For the next two times the battery was replaced by the dealer. Presumably, they use something reasonable.
I have been using my main key only. Testing the spare key will take another 4 to 6 weeks. For now, I will lock my car and keep the key 50 feet from the garage to test this theory, especially if there are changes in the 2025 model (unlikely). If it still fails, I will switch to my spare key to test.
Do that (lock and away) but with the spare key, no need to go through testing let's just say it was the main key being broken after all, so use the spare key right away to save you from the frustration.
I don't remember what brand I used for the first two times. Probably Duracell. For the next two times the battery was replaced by the dealer. Presumably, they use something reasonable.
If you viewed the other thread linked, there is a part number with a Mercedes Original sticker, yet you can clearly see the actual battery brand is Panasonic. Worth a shot, except if the MB dealership replaced it and supposingly they should be using Genuine parts, it should be the Panasonic one anyways. I mean, it is easy to check. Remove the cover and let us know if they put a Panasonic one in.
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