The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz M/GLE

2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE.

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 21 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 43, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 19 to 21 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is 2010.

43Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 2.3× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2010 · Worst year 2006

Mercedes-Benz M/GLE
Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints21first 3 years
Fuel economy19–21 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 53 owner complaints, owners reported:

7crashes
4injuries
1fires
7tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

brakes24%
speed control14%
lights14%
steering10%
tires10%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 20K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 45K miles on the car (29 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 9

  • body structure 2023

    Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details.

  • fuel system, diesel 2022

    Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.

  • electrical 2022

    Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

Show all 9 recalls
  • body structure 2021

    The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunro.

  • tires 2021

    The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

  • communication 2021

    On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles.

  • electrical 2021

    Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.

  • brakes 2018

    The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.

  • visibility 2018

    During manufacturing, components of the panoramic sunroof may have been installed with a bonding primer that was incorrectly made, possibly affecting the long-term adhesion to the vehicle.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about

Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 180 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Complaint To insure vehicle down time is kept at a minimum and all required information is…
  • Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight…
  • Complaint Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • ClosedFront roof panel detachment2021

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Fuel cost and engines

About $3800–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

I got 9000 miles on my 2018 mercedes benz gle amg 63s coupe I am going for my second set of breaks

2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE owner · NHTSA complaint 11193713

Quick answers

Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 43; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year by this measure is 2010.

What are the most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (24%), speed control (14%) and lights (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?

9 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE get?

19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,000 and 45,200 miles. The middle report was at 20,000 miles, from 29 complaints.

Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE cost in fuel a year?

About $3800 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?

3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

What Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is better than the 2018?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2011.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data