The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz · SUV
Mercedes-Benz M/GLE.
The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE years are 2010, 2019, 2011. Years to avoid: 2006, 2020. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 51, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2001 to 2023.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2010.
Quick answers.
Is the Mercedes-Benz M/GLE a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 51; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2010 and the worst is 2006.
What are the best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2010, 2019, 2011.
What Mercedes-Benz M/GLE years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2006, 2020.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
97 safety recalls across the 23 model years we track. Most: 2020 (24), 2021 (19), 2016 (11). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, electrical and steering most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 99 | about average | 48 | steering (31%) | 0 | — | 16–17 |
| 2002 | 50 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 21 | steering (29%) | 1 | — | 14–15 |
| 2003 | 88 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 24 | seats (46%) | 0 | — | 14–15 |
| 2004 | – | too few complaints to score | 16 | service brakes, hydraulic (31%) | 0 | — | 14–15 |
| 2005 | – | too few complaints to score | 11 | engine (27%) | 0 | — | 14–15 |
| 2006 | 130 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 29 | transmission & drivetrain (34%) | 2 | — | 14–16 |
| 2007 | 90 | about average | 27 | seats (41%) | 2 | — | 14–21 |
| 2008 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | steering (25%) | 2 | — | 15–21 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | fuel system, gasoline (25%) | 3 | — | 15–18 |
| 2010 | 6 | 16.7× fewer complaints than average | 2 | airbags (100%) | 0 | — | 15–22 |
| 2011 | 19 | 5.3× fewer complaints than average | 8 | electrical (50%) | 0 | — | 15–22 |
| 2012 | 45 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 19 | engine (37%) | 0 | — | 17–20 |
| 2013 | 24 | 4.2× fewer complaints than average | 12 | transmission & drivetrain (33%) | 0 | — | 16–20 |
| 2014 | 31 | 3.2× fewer complaints than average | 16 | engine (25%) | 0 | — | 16–20 |
| 2015 | 44 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 23 | engine (22%) | 0 | — | 19–25 |
| 2016 | 63 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 33 | steering (30%) | 11 | — | 19–25 |
| 2017 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 25 | electrical (28%) | 7 | — | 19–21 |
| 2018 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 21 | brakes (24%) | 9 | — | 19–21 |
| 2019 | 18 | 5.6× fewer complaints than average | 9 | lights (22%) | 6 | — | 20 |
| 2020 | 129 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 58 | electrical (29%) | 24 | — | 19–22 |
| 2021 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 48 | electrical (48%) | 19 | — | 19–23 |
| 2022 | 80 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 57 | engine (33%) | 8 | — | 18–22 |
| 2023 | 42 | 2.4× fewer complaints than average | 24 | transmission & drivetrain (25%) | 3 | — | 18–22 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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