2017 GLS550 Transmission goes into Manual Mode
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
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From: So. CA
2017 GLS550,. 2016 S550,. 2018 GLE AMG Coupe, 2017 C300 Convertible (traded), 2017 SLC300 (traded),
2017 GLS550 Transmission goes into Manual Mode
My 2017 550 transmission will switch into manual mode without touching the shift paddles. Happens when driving in D9 on freeway and look down and see it is now on M9. When car slows down, have to use paddle shifters to get back to higher gears. This has happened about 6 times and only way to get back to drive is to stop car, turn it off and restart the engine. Dealer reflashed transmission programming, but issue still exists. Anyone else experienced this issue and if so how was it fixed?
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
My 2017 550 transmission will switch into manual mode without touching the shift paddles. Happens when driving in D9 on freeway and look down and see it is now on M9. When car slows down, have to use paddle shifters to get back to higher gears. This has happened about 6 times and only way to get back to drive is to stop car, turn it off and restart the engine. Dealer reflashed transmission programming, but issue still exists. Anyone else experienced this issue and if so how was it fixed?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
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From: Chester Springs, PA
2017 GLS 550 & 2016 SLK300
My 2017 550 transmission will switch into manual mode without touching the shift paddles. Happens when driving in D9 on freeway and look down and see it is now on M9. When car slows down, have to use paddle shifters to get back to higher gears. This has happened about 6 times and only way to get back to drive is to stop car, turn it off and restart the engine. Dealer reflashed transmission programming, but issue still exists. Anyone else experienced this issue and if so how was it fixed?
Just a thought, not likely since you had dealer look at it but just a thought from experience.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
Not sure if you have the offroad package or not. I have the offroad package and while driving my wife accidentally (and without realizing) hit the manual button while putting her drink back in the cup holder. I couldn't figure-out why the 550 went into manual but couldn't easily figure-out how to get back into auto while driving down highway.
Just a thought, not likely since you had dealer look at it but just a thought from experience.
Just a thought, not likely since you had dealer look at it but just a thought from experience.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
Not sure if you have the offroad package or not. I have the offroad package and while driving my wife accidentally (and without realizing) hit the manual button while putting her drink back in the cup holder. I couldn't figure-out why the 550 went into manual but couldn't easily figure-out how to get back into auto while driving down highway.
Just a thought, not likely since you had dealer look at it but just a thought from experience.
Just a thought, not likely since you had dealer look at it but just a thought from experience.
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From: Reading PA
26 EQS 400 SUV, 23 EQS 580 SUV (sold), 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold), 13 GL550 (sold)
Other manufactures provide a simple way to go from Manual back to Auto by holding either paddle shifter for a few seconds. I've never understood why MB didn't employ the same method. Maybe some models already do this but not the GLS.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
It does just hold the right paddle for a few seconds. However since the the GLS has a munual mode button for off roading I have never tested it on the GLS.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Reading PA
26 EQS 400 SUV, 23 EQS 580 SUV (sold), 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold), 13 GL550 (sold)
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2017 450 Gls
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Joined: Nov 2018
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GLS 550
So this happened to me on my 2017 GLS 550 when I first got it. The problem was my puppy pushing the manual button by the cup holders when she was moving around. To go back to automatic all I did was to push the button again and it went back to automatic. Hope this helps. If the dealer hasn't fixed the issue I would keep returning to them till its fixed.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
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2018 GLE 400
I have a 2018 GLE 400 that is also experiencing the same issue intermittently for over a year now. I used to own a 2015 GLE and never experience this issue.
When driving this vehicle on small roads the vehicle will automatically shift to m1 mode without any user initiation. The paddle shifts were never touched.
It happens intermittently from over a few weeks to a few months and every time I have brought it into the dealership - they run diagnostics and test drive and, surprise they cannot find anything *rolls eyes*
I am at my wits end. I've asked for computer reports on the vehicle to confirm all the instances the vehicle has gone to m1 mode from automatic and to avail.
Thankfully the vehicle has never engaged to manual mode while on the highway yet as the only way to disengage this issue is by pulling to the side and turning off the vehicle and turning it back on.
This has happened at least 5 times over the last year - and no help from the dealership.
Does anyone here have any input or resolution ideas?
When driving this vehicle on small roads the vehicle will automatically shift to m1 mode without any user initiation. The paddle shifts were never touched.
It happens intermittently from over a few weeks to a few months and every time I have brought it into the dealership - they run diagnostics and test drive and, surprise they cannot find anything *rolls eyes*
I am at my wits end. I've asked for computer reports on the vehicle to confirm all the instances the vehicle has gone to m1 mode from automatic and to avail.
Thankfully the vehicle has never engaged to manual mode while on the highway yet as the only way to disengage this issue is by pulling to the side and turning off the vehicle and turning it back on.
This has happened at least 5 times over the last year - and no help from the dealership.
Does anyone here have any input or resolution ideas?
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1
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Gle 350
Exact Same Problem
My 2017 550 transmission will switch into manual mode without touching the shift paddles. Happens when driving in D9 on freeway and look down and see it is now on M9. When car slows down, have to use paddle shifters to get back to higher gears. This has happened about 6 times and only way to get back to drive is to stop car, turn it off and restart the engine. Dealer reflashed transmission programming, but issue still exists. Anyone else experienced this issue and if so how was it fixed?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
2018 GLS 550; 2018 Volvo XC90
I am having this same problem on my 2018 GLS 550. It started about two weeks ago, where I would look down and see that I was in manual with no input from the paddle shifters and nothing touching the "M" button in the center console. It happens consistently every drive, though it may not be in the first 15 minutes. On a few occasions, it has been problematic in that I'm pulling out of a stoplight and it will not shift up from M2, either by the + paddle or otherwise (even holding the + paddle). Eventually it rights itself but sometimes it's close to redlining. Other instances, I have gone to pass on the freeway and found myself in M9 with no power when I step on the gas, and no response when I try to switch back to D. I took it to the dealer who found a problem with the + paddle but otherwise can't duplicate the problem of course. (I've shared video with them that I took while driving). They also say that the paddle shifter problem is not covered under the CPO warranty, which I find outrageous if the paddle shifter is effectively an electrical switch communicating with the transmission, and the electrical system is generally covered. I'd love to hear if others have successfully resolved this issue or gotten paddle shifters covered by warranty.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
What was the "problem" found by the dealer regarding the paddle? The paddles are parts bin commodities used across many MB models and years.
Replace the main battery and aux batteries. A 4 model year old car can have batteries as old as 5 years depending on when the car was built. 5 years is the start of the replacement window. These cars have a heavy electrical draw from all of the gadgetry, and MB skimps wherever they can, for example on batteries.
Replace the main and aux batteries and report back.
Replace the main battery and aux batteries. A 4 model year old car can have batteries as old as 5 years depending on when the car was built. 5 years is the start of the replacement window. These cars have a heavy electrical draw from all of the gadgetry, and MB skimps wherever they can, for example on batteries.
Replace the main and aux batteries and report back.
Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 157
Likes: 55
AUDI Q7
I am having this same problem on my 2018 GLS 550. It started about two weeks ago, where I would look down and see that I was in manual with no input from the paddle shifters and nothing touching the "M" button in the center console. It happens consistently every drive, though it may not be in the first 15 minutes. On a few occasions, it has been problematic in that I'm pulling out of a stoplight and it will not shift up from M2, either by the + paddle or otherwise (even holding the + paddle). Eventually it rights itself but sometimes it's close to redlining. Other instances, I have gone to pass on the freeway and found myself in M9 with no power when I step on the gas, and no response when I try to switch back to D. I took it to the dealer who found a problem with the + paddle but otherwise can't duplicate the problem of course. (I've shared video with them that I took while driving). They also say that the paddle shifter problem is not covered under the CPO warranty, which I find outrageous if the paddle shifter is effectively an electrical switch communicating with the transmission, and the electrical system is generally covered. I'd love to hear if others have successfully resolved this issue or gotten paddle shifters covered by warranty.
start t/stop the car. Sometimes got a fluke like that.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
R350
My 2017 550 transmission will switch into manual mode without touching the shift paddles. Happens when driving in D9 on freeway and look down and see it is now on M9. When car slows down, have to use paddle shifters to get back to higher gears. This has happened about 6 times and only way to get back to drive is to stop car, turn it off and restart the engine. Dealer reflashed transmission programming, but issue still exists. Anyone else experienced this issue and if so how was it fixed?
