The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz M/GLE
2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE is worse than average by owner complaints: 58 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 129, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 24 recalls, and it gets 19 to 22 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 124 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 43K miles on the car (37 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 24
- electrical 2024
A 48-Volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connection overheating.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The transmission may not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.
- visibility 2023
The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.
Show all 24 recalls
- body structure 2022
Due to a manufacturing error, the rear door window trim bars may detach.
- electrical 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- back over prevention 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- electrical 2022
A ground cable bolt for the 48V ground connection under the front passenger seat may not be secured properly, which can cause the electrical cable to overheat.
- electrical 2022
The wiring harness connected to the prefuse box in the engine compartment might not be properly secured, which could deactivate fused components, such as power steering assist, headlights, and wipers.
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
- seats 2021
The seats may have been assembled incorrectly.
- lights 2021
The LED headlights may have been incorrectly adjusted during a vehicle repair.
- back over prevention 2021
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- equipment 2021
The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.
- stability control 2021
During certain evasive driving maneuvers, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) software may apply torque to one of the front wheels, pulling the vehicle to one side.
- communication 2021
On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles.
- body structure 2021
The dashboard surface may not be properly secured to the base material.
- electrical 2021
Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.
- electrical 2020
The star logo's electrical ground connection may not be installed properly, potentially affecting the function of other components that share the same ground connection, such as the power steering control unit, wiper mot…
- suspension 2020
The sealing of the piston assembly in the front struts and rear shock absorbers may leak and fail prematurely.
- body structure 2020
The seams on the rear crossmember may have been insufficiently welded.
- electrical 2020
The instrument cluster software may deactivate the illumination of certain interior switches (switch bar, overhead control unit, steering wheel) if the hazard lights are turned on and the ignition switch is in the 'off' …
- body structure 2019
The rear door window trim may detach.
- equipment 2019
The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain from the air conditioner into the passenger compartment.
- automatic emergency braking 2019
An impaired Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 437 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Creaking noise when making vertical or longitudinal adjustment to electrical steering column
- Check engine indicator light active and fault code P261029/P02FF85/P02FF02 stored in engine…
- Check engine light active and FC P146264 Temp
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Display indicated 'system suspended' twice today. Concerned ? But suv drove fine
2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE owner · NHTSA complaint 11404691
More owner reports
Have had into dealership multiple times for radio/backup camera /navigation screen goes blank and does not appear for sometimes up to 1-2 days car had been turned off prior.
NHTSA complaint 11325183
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 129; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), speed control (22%) and engine (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
24 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,400 and 43,500 miles. The middle report was at 10,100 miles, from 37 complaints.
Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is better than the 2020?
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