2016/2017 GLE 350 headlight problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
GLE 350
2016/2017 GLE 350 headlight problem
Hello All,
I recently purchased a 2017 GLE 350. my old car was 2013 BMW 528i.
the headlight on the GLE are 1/3 as bright as the BMW, and the range is 30 feet at best, my BMW I can see 70+ feet. I've avoided driving the GLE at night, and MBZ dealer is telling me this is normal for GLE.! I don't think this GLE is safe at night, especially I drive in Hilly areas with few street lights.
Anyone else noticed this problem.? I know there is a $1200 upgrade kit, but I wish the Dealer told me that ONLY the Running Daylights they showed me were LED, but the headlights are 1990 model. Disgraceful. Even my 2004 E320 had stronger headlights. Is this like the Volkswagen Diesel secret.?
Thanks, M.
I recently purchased a 2017 GLE 350. my old car was 2013 BMW 528i.
the headlight on the GLE are 1/3 as bright as the BMW, and the range is 30 feet at best, my BMW I can see 70+ feet. I've avoided driving the GLE at night, and MBZ dealer is telling me this is normal for GLE.! I don't think this GLE is safe at night, especially I drive in Hilly areas with few street lights.
Anyone else noticed this problem.? I know there is a $1200 upgrade kit, but I wish the Dealer told me that ONLY the Running Daylights they showed me were LED, but the headlights are 1990 model. Disgraceful. Even my 2004 E320 had stronger headlights. Is this like the Volkswagen Diesel secret.?
Thanks, M.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
Likes: 23
2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
EVERYONE who didn't get the lighting package noticed the problem. Its a major safety issue and I wouldn't drive it at night either if I didn't have the aftermarket HID kit installed. I think MB will have to address this issue. Its not only the GLE but the GLS also.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
GLE 350
thank you... I'm taking my GLE back to Fletcher Jones Mercedes today, and requesting headlights be replaced under warranty, since Mercedes have known about this safety problems since last Oct/2015. I'll keep you posted of how things go. as it stands, with me not wanting to drive at night, my 13 year old is hating this new GLE 350, and asking me to get the BMW X5 instead. :-( SAD STORY.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
Likes: 23
2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
thank you... I'm taking my GLE back to Fletcher Jones Mercedes today, and requesting headlights be replaced under warranty, since Mercedes have known about this safety problems since last Oct/2015. I'll keep you posted of how things go. as it stands, with me not wanting to drive at night, my 13 year old is hating this new GLE 350, and asking me to get the BMW X5 instead. :-( SAD STORY.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
The halogen lights are awful, and I agree, completely unsafe for night driving. I called MB USA to complain, and they had nothing to say. I would recommend that you do the same so they can document all of the unsatisfied customers.
If there are any engineers and social media experts out there that want to do a light comparison of the GLE vs halogens in other vehicles, I bet you could get MB's attention pretty quickly, and a possible solution created.
If there are any engineers and social media experts out there that want to do a light comparison of the GLE vs halogens in other vehicles, I bet you could get MB's attention pretty quickly, and a possible solution created.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
Likes: 23
2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
The halogen lights are awful, and I agree, completely unsafe for night driving. I called MB USA to complain, and they had nothing to say. I would recommend that you do the same so they can document all of the unsatisfied customers.
If there are any engineers and social media experts out there that want to do a light comparison of the GLE vs halogens in other vehicles, I bet you could get MB's attention pretty quickly, and a possible solution created.
If there are any engineers and social media experts out there that want to do a light comparison of the GLE vs halogens in other vehicles, I bet you could get MB's attention pretty quickly, and a possible solution created.
So you either get the lighting package or you're screwed. I would have gotten it had I known how horrible the lights are. The test drive was during the day and I questioned the sales person about it he said "the lights are very bright, even brighter than the HIDs you had on your 2014 GL"
Last edited by baobay; Oct 17, 2016 at 02:25 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Funny you say that...I just got off the phone with MB USA customer care and made a formal complaint. They also had nothing to say. Basically "sorry, but it is what it is"
So you either get the lighting package or you're screwed. I would have gotten it had I known how horrible the lights are. The test drive was during the day and I questioned the sales person about it he said "the lights are very bright, even brighter than the HIDs you had on your 2014 GL"
So you either get the lighting package or you're screwed. I would have gotten it had I known how horrible the lights are. The test drive was during the day and I questioned the sales person about it he said "the lights are very bright, even brighter than the HIDs you had on your 2014 GL"
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
2017 GLE 350 - Premium 2 -
Hello All,
I recently purchased a 2017 GLE 350. my old car was 2013 BMW 528i.
the headlight on the GLE are 1/3 as bright as the BMW, and the range is 30 feet at best, my BMW I can see 70+ feet. I've avoided driving the GLE at night, and MBZ dealer is telling me this is normal for GLE.! I don't think this GLE is safe at night, especially I drive in Hilly areas with few street lights.
Anyone else noticed this problem.? I know there is a $1200 upgrade kit, but I wish the Dealer told me that ONLY the Running Daylights they showed me were LED, but the headlights are 1990 model. Disgraceful. Even my 2004 E320 had stronger headlights. Is this like the Volkswagen Diesel secret.?
Thanks, M.
I recently purchased a 2017 GLE 350. my old car was 2013 BMW 528i.
the headlight on the GLE are 1/3 as bright as the BMW, and the range is 30 feet at best, my BMW I can see 70+ feet. I've avoided driving the GLE at night, and MBZ dealer is telling me this is normal for GLE.! I don't think this GLE is safe at night, especially I drive in Hilly areas with few street lights.
Anyone else noticed this problem.? I know there is a $1200 upgrade kit, but I wish the Dealer told me that ONLY the Running Daylights they showed me were LED, but the headlights are 1990 model. Disgraceful. Even my 2004 E320 had stronger headlights. Is this like the Volkswagen Diesel secret.?
Thanks, M.
I have the lighting package which paid extra for. Let me know you Fletcher Jones Mercedes won't take care your issue at all, they are the worst dealer. I got mine from house of imports. Fletcher will keep telling you you didn't buy the lighting package so forth. which you might need to suffer...
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
Magnificent New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Revealed: 12 Things to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 153
Likes: 15
GLE 350 4MATIC
It's definitely a safety issue. Good news is, you're not completely out of luck.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...d-success.html
I Was able to get HID's installed using those items. It's 1000000x better and well worth the time and effort
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...d-success.html
I Was able to get HID's installed using those items. It's 1000000x better and well worth the time and effort
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
GLE 350
1st, let's continue to file complaints with MB USA, also with NHTSA, DMV and US Dept of Transportation. the more GLE owners call and email these Orgs, the better for us to force MB to take ownership of this issue.
my MB Dealer said car is as designed. I asked them to draw papers to return GLE and Break the lease, as I won't drive it as is. they will get back to me with solutions. I know about the Halogen to HID kit, but surely I feel betrayed by Mercedes, and would rather not pay them any more money.
thanks for your support guys. It's a shame that such a nice SUV has to be such a pain in the ***. M.
my MB Dealer said car is as designed. I asked them to draw papers to return GLE and Break the lease, as I won't drive it as is. they will get back to me with solutions. I know about the Halogen to HID kit, but surely I feel betrayed by Mercedes, and would rather not pay them any more money.
thanks for your support guys. It's a shame that such a nice SUV has to be such a pain in the ***. M.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Dallas area
2016 GLC 300, 2016 GLE 350
dealer could step up
seems MB could at least offer those of us fool enough to purchase a GLE with Halogens a nice set of night vision goggles... because thats what I needed driving the beast in a night time rain storm. My only saving grace was staying close to a Lexus Rx350 that was lighting my path for me.
Ken
Ken
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
2021 GLE450
My wife is currently in a 2011 C300 with known horrible headlights. I went with the morimoto replacements a year ago and have been fairly happy. I'm looking to move her up to a new GLE or GLS and I'm extremely disappointed MB hasn't got this figured out yet. We're now looking hard at the X5.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
Likes: 23
2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
My wife is currently in a 2011 C300 with known horrible headlights. I went with the morimoto replacements a year ago and have been fairly happy. I'm looking to move her up to a new GLE or GLS and I'm extremely disappointed MB hasn't got this figured out yet. We're now looking hard at the X5.
The standard halogens SUCK!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
GLE 350
Guys, no surprise, MB Dealer could not replace the lights, as MB will not cover the fix, and say they meet the RSA MINIMUM requirement.
Talking to my Attorney, he suggested that the quickest way to get Mercedes USA to step up is to file as many complaints with BBB (Better Business Bureau) in as many cities and states as possible. the more they hear from all over the USA the better our chances...
I will start by filling a complaint with Los Angeles, CA BBB, as the visibility on a rainy night is absolutely DANGEROUS.!
Let's do this guys, help me out...
Thanks, M.
Talking to my Attorney, he suggested that the quickest way to get Mercedes USA to step up is to file as many complaints with BBB (Better Business Bureau) in as many cities and states as possible. the more they hear from all over the USA the better our chances...
I will start by filling a complaint with Los Angeles, CA BBB, as the visibility on a rainy night is absolutely DANGEROUS.!
Let's do this guys, help me out...
Thanks, M.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
2017 GLE 350 - Premium 2 -
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
Likes: 23
2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
that doesn't matter. They are selling vehicles to the public which are dangerous to drive at night and in low light conditions.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
GL350
We have 2016 C300 and the headlights are absolutely horrible as well... It's almost impossible to drive at night. I'm about one dark night away from taking the car back to the dealership or considering starting a class action lawsuit.
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 153
Likes: 15
GLE 350 4MATIC
If you can, do so, if not, just install the HID kits (there's a link on the main GLE forum). I'm not sure what the MB engineers were thinking with the GLE. It's very rushed and unpolished which is ridiculous considering this is supposed to be an update to the ML not a complete redesign. Even the COMMAND center is very unpolished although the Harmon Kardon sound system makes up for it. The ZF9 transmission we have is garbage too, they should have kept the previous edition; I didn't spent 50k to feel gear shifts...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
GLE 300d
Hello All,
I recently purchased a 2017 GLE 350. my old car was 2013 BMW 528i.
the headlight on the GLE are 1/3 as bright as the BMW, and the range is 30 feet at best, my BMW I can see 70+ feet. I've avoided driving the GLE at night, and MBZ dealer is telling me this is normal for GLE.! I don't think this GLE is safe at night, especially I drive in Hilly areas with few street lights.
Anyone else noticed this problem.? I know there is a $1200 upgrade kit, but I wish the Dealer told me that ONLY the Running Daylights they showed me were LED, but the headlights are 1990 model. Disgraceful. Even my 2004 E320 had stronger headlights. Is this like the Volkswagen Diesel secret.?
Thanks, M.
I recently purchased a 2017 GLE 350. my old car was 2013 BMW 528i.
the headlight on the GLE are 1/3 as bright as the BMW, and the range is 30 feet at best, my BMW I can see 70+ feet. I've avoided driving the GLE at night, and MBZ dealer is telling me this is normal for GLE.! I don't think this GLE is safe at night, especially I drive in Hilly areas with few street lights.
Anyone else noticed this problem.? I know there is a $1200 upgrade kit, but I wish the Dealer told me that ONLY the Running Daylights they showed me were LED, but the headlights are 1990 model. Disgraceful. Even my 2004 E320 had stronger headlights. Is this like the Volkswagen Diesel secret.?
Thanks, M.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 897
Likes: 94
From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
you know whats very strange? if any of you have/had the 2014 W212 it doesnt even give you the option of halogens, you either get xenon (no moving curves but the range it extends to is amazing) or the lighting package and yet the ML/GLE still continues with either the Halogens or Xenon/Led, i just wonder why MB didnt go the same route with the GLE
