Loose Trunk Seal or Water Entry through Trunk
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
GLE 350
Loose Trunk Seal or Water Entry through Trunk
Informed me that water gets in through the trunk and shorted out a fuel pump module. Now Mercedez doesn’t have a recall on this vehicle but it does have a Technical Service Bulletin on how to repair the issue. So they are aware in occurs.
At this point they want me to pay out of pocket for repairs but shouldn’t this be a manufacturer defect? Shouldn’t they cover the cost. Vehicle is at 63,000 miles out of the 50k warranty.
what do you guys think? The Trunk seal is not loose at all.
Last edited by Jose D Jimenez; Jan 9, 2020 at 12:51 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
G55 GLE 63s
I just had this EXACT same experience - and I'm wondering, how in the world this could occur. The cost to repair is around $1500 and listening to the explanation it sounds like you can just "bump" the seal and then water can pour in and ruin this fuel pump module.
I barely use my trunk, I can't fathom how this could happen without some kind of major defect.
OP: What happened with your situation?
I barely use my trunk, I can't fathom how this could happen without some kind of major defect.
OP: What happened with your situation?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
GLE 350
Mercedes Benz did not help.
I just had this EXACT same experience - and I'm wondering, how in the world this could occur. The cost to repair is around $1500 and listening to the explanation it sounds like you can just "bump" the seal and then water can pour in and ruin this fuel pump module.
I barely use my trunk, I can't fathom how this could happen without some kind of major defect.
OP: What happened with your situation?
I barely use my trunk, I can't fathom how this could happen without some kind of major defect.
OP: What happened with your situation?
Mercedes Benz is aware of the defect of these vehicles 🚗. They have a a service bulletin out on how to repair the issue. BUT !!! It is not a recall yet so your out of luck. You have to pay out of pocket for the repair. You can file a complaint with consumer protection government offices.. if the number of cases increase it could help the recall become reality.
what I did to remedy the situation I took the plastic cover out opposite of the button where one closes the trunk. The same size and dimensions as the trunk lock button... and after any car wash or rainfall.. I will open the trunk door and drain the water out from the door.
surprisingly the trunk door acts like a water tank and fills up pretty nicely... Till it’s starts pouring into the spare tire compartment.
by taking the plastic out and draining the water out I think 90% of the chances of it occurring again.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
G55 GLE 63s
Mercedes Benz is aware of the defect of these vehicles 🚗. They have a a service bulletin out on how to repair the issue. BUT !!! It is not a recall yet so your out of luck. You have to pay out of pocket for the repair. You can file a complaint with consumer protection government offices.. if the number of cases increase it could help the recall become reality.
what I did to remedy the situation I took the plastic cover out opposite of the button where one closes the trunk. The same size and dimensions as the trunk lock button... and after any car wash or rainfall.. I will open the trunk door and drain the water out from the door.
surprisingly the trunk door acts like a water tank and fills up pretty nicely... Till it’s starts pouring into the spare tire compartment.
by taking the plastic out and draining the water out I think 90% of the chances of it occurring again.
what I did to remedy the situation I took the plastic cover out opposite of the button where one closes the trunk. The same size and dimensions as the trunk lock button... and after any car wash or rainfall.. I will open the trunk door and drain the water out from the door.
surprisingly the trunk door acts like a water tank and fills up pretty nicely... Till it’s starts pouring into the spare tire compartment.
by taking the plastic out and draining the water out I think 90% of the chances of it occurring again.
Luckily, when this happened to my wife today she was able to get safely off the road, but only a mile earlier was on the freeway going over a bridge at high speed where the results could have been catastrophic.
Mercedes needs to recall this vehicle and actually FIX the problem, not just replace the failed parts. Outrageous.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,579
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
This is interesting. The X/W164 platform has well documented taillamp gasket leaks, leading to water damaging the rear SAM. Is the water entering through the taillamps?
How does water enter the liftgate? What is the leak path?
@pmercury @konigstiger @Maj. Dundee Are there any sources for TSB documents? LI88.50-P-069683 Version 1
How does water enter the liftgate? What is the leak path?
@pmercury @konigstiger @Maj. Dundee Are there any sources for TSB documents? LI88.50-P-069683 Version 1
Last edited by chassis; Jan 10, 2021 at 10:47 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
G55 GLE 63s
This is interesting. The X/W164 platform has well documented taillamp gasket leaks, leading to water damaging the rear SAM. Is the water entering through the taillamps?
How does water enter the liftgate? What is the leak path?
@pmercury @konigstiger @Maj. Dundee Are there any sources for TSB documents? LI88.50-P-069683 Version 1
How does water enter the liftgate? What is the leak path?
@pmercury @konigstiger @Maj. Dundee Are there any sources for TSB documents? LI88.50-P-069683 Version 1
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,579
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I looked at my trunk seal and it appears to be intact and secure. One thing I don't like is there is a mold line, or joint, in the center of the gasket near the latch striker. The joint line in the gasket seems like it could be a weak point and either tear, or wear over time and allow water intrusion.
Another thing I don't like about the design is the gasket is in harm's way of cargo being dragged across the rear threshold, offering the possibly for damage and resulting water intrusion.
Another thing I don't like about the design is the gasket is in harm's way of cargo being dragged across the rear threshold, offering the possibly for damage and resulting water intrusion.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,579
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Folks, what exactly is the root cause here? Is the seal becoming detached? Are the two seal bulbs separating? The photos posted so far do not show the root cause in sufficient detail.
I have been watching this on my 2017 GLE 350 and I can't envision how this would fail. Maybe there was a design change at some stage. Please explain this in detail. Thanks!
I have been watching this on my 2017 GLE 350 and I can't envision how this would fail. Maybe there was a design change at some stage. Please explain this in detail. Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 6
GLE 350
Hey guys, I have just experienced the same issue you all are writing about. I have a 2016 GLE 350. Vehicle stalled in traffic and could not restart. Towed to the dealer. Found it was the fuel pump control unit. This had gotten wet due to leakage from the rear trunk seal. They replaced this after allowing everything inside the wheel well where the spare tire is kept to dry out. Also replaced the fuel pump controller. Cost $1106.00 but after complaining to MB Corp. they brought the price down to $300.00. Unfortunately I believe the repair is poor. The seal where it connects to itself on the bottom is glued together and I am uncertain how long this will last. Not happy. Am bringing it back to them for another look at this seal because it looks like it would easily open up again if I dragged by grocery bags across it. Do I need to check my wheel well for water before every drive? Please let me know if you all have further insight to this issue. Thank you.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,579
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Hey guys, I have just experienced the same issue you all are writing about. I have a 2016 GLE 350. Vehicle stalled in traffic and could not restart. Towed to the dealer. Found it was the fuel pump control unit. This had gotten wet due to leakage from the rear trunk seal. They replaced this after allowing everything inside the wheel well where the spare tire is kept to dry out. Also replaced the fuel pump controller. Cost $1106.00 but after complaining to MB Corp. they brought the price down to $300.00. Unfortunately I believe the repair is poor. The seal where it connects to itself on the bottom is glued together and I am uncertain how long this will last. Not happy. Am bringing it back to them for another look at this seal because it looks like it would easily open up again if I dragged by grocery bags across it. Do I need to check my wheel well for water before every drive? Please let me know if you all have further insight to this issue. Thank you.
Looking at EPC, liftgate seal part number A1667400178 appears to have no revision history, therefore no part changes have been made for the GLE model, or possibly for W166. The seal is one continuous piece surrounding the liftgate opening. It looks like it was two sealing bulbs.
Where/how exactly does it fail? Can someone please post a clear photo showing the seal failure? The photos in post #6 don't fully give the idea of root cause. I'm not envisioning the root cause here. It seems like the seal is slipping off of its mounting flange, and not tearing or coming apart. Is this correct?
Last edited by chassis; Mar 24, 2021 at 07:54 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 6
GLE 350
Pictures
@myc52k sorry to hear about the situation. Do you have a photo of the seal before it was replaced? I am still not clear on how this fails. Is the original 2016 seal not joined together, but rather butted or overlapped? The 2017 seal is butt-welded rubber. It isn't the best design, but so far after 62k miles and 4 years it is holding up.
Looking at EPC, liftgate seal part number A1667400178 appears to have no revision history, therefore no part changes have been made for the GLE model, or possibly for W166. The seal is one continuous piece surrounding the liftgate opening. It looks like it was two sealing bulbs.
Where/how exactly does it fail? Can someone please post a clear photo showing the seal failure? The photos in post #6 don't fully give the idea of root cause. I'm not envisioning the root cause here. It seems like the seal is slipping off of its mounting flange, and not tearing or coming apart. Is this correct?
Looking at EPC, liftgate seal part number A1667400178 appears to have no revision history, therefore no part changes have been made for the GLE model, or possibly for W166. The seal is one continuous piece surrounding the liftgate opening. It looks like it was two sealing bulbs.
Where/how exactly does it fail? Can someone please post a clear photo showing the seal failure? The photos in post #6 don't fully give the idea of root cause. I'm not envisioning the root cause here. It seems like the seal is slipping off of its mounting flange, and not tearing or coming apart. Is this correct?
This is the seal that failed.
Another picture of seal that failed.
This is the new seal, with the joint at the lower part of the rear door.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 6
GLE 350
Yes that is what I am showing in the first two pics. The new seal unfortunately is joined in the same fashion at the lowest point on the door. I tried to get them to do it differently but they claim that was against policy. The loaner vehicle, which was a GLC 300, had the joint on the upper portion of the right side of the door opening. This location would likely have less chance of trauma from grocery bags, suitcases, dogs and bikes. You can’t expect to do the same thing and have a different result!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,579
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Yes that is what I am showing in the first two pics. The new seal unfortunately is joined in the same fashion at the lowest point on the door. I tried to get them to do it differently but they claim that was against policy. The loaner vehicle, which was a GLC 300, had the joint on the upper portion of the right side of the door opening. This location would likely have less chance of trauma from grocery bags, suitcases, dogs and bikes. You can’t expect to do the same thing and have a different result!
Having the weak link (the seal joint) at the top may be risky as the water exposure would be highest at the top. Mechanical damage/abrasion is worst at the bottom. Not a good design and the fixes seem limited.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 6
GLE 350
It looks very flexible to me but I could be wrong. Agree that the best place would be at the side. I looked at my friend’s Toyota SUV and his seal is one piece with no joint at all that we could see. Seems like a better solution.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,579
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Thinking more about it, I think the seal joint at the bottom is the best place to put a potential weak link. There is no "best" in this case, other than having no joint at all, and having the seal recessed so it is not exposed to scraping of suitcases, pets, etc.
An idea could be something like a bicycle inner tube repair patch. The repair patch could be installed preemptively over the seal joint, to increase its strength.
An idea could be something like a bicycle inner tube repair patch. The repair patch could be installed preemptively over the seal joint, to increase its strength.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 6
GLE 350
Not sure why you would want the weak link at the bottom where it is close to the spare wheel well? This is where the water from the top and sides is directed and would accumulate before going through the defect. If the joint was on the side the water very likely would bypass the defect and take the path of least resistance due to gravity around it. There would be no pooling of water on the side to accumulate at the defect site. Just my theory.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,579
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Not sure why you would want the weak link at the bottom where it is close to the spare wheel well? This is where the water from the top and sides is directed and would accumulate before going through the defect. If the joint was on the side the water very likely would bypass the defect and take the path of least resistance due to gravity around it. There would be no pooling of water on the side to accumulate at the defect site. Just my theory.
The joint on the side will always 100% be in the water shedding path. The joint at the bottom may rarely be in the water path, but is always in the path of mechanical damage from cargo. It’s a bad design.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 149
From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
FWIW IMO the issue is not with the seal... every door and hatch on every car has a similar seal... thre problem is where MB decides to locate critical electronic components...
I had BMW wagon that had 5k of electronics ruined in rear hatch area... all fixed under warranty but still a poor place top locate these items
I had BMW wagon that had 5k of electronics ruined in rear hatch area... all fixed under warranty but still a poor place top locate these items
