2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Body & Structure Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front roof panel detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,620.

In May 2023 I took my 2016 GLE 450 AMG into "Park Place Motor Cars Mercedes" (Dallas) for the (MBUSA 2023010002 and 2023010003) "Water that could Leak into the Spare Tire area, Impacting the Fuel Pump" recall. Park Place stated that they didn't locate any signs of water in the trunk area and would place a water drain plug in the spare tire area to drain water, incase water entered the area. In January 26, 2024, while driving, my GLE 450 loss propulsion without warning causing me to almost get rear ended. Unbeknownst to me, that this was related to the recall from 2023, I had the vehicle towed to a local "certified repair shop". The shop stated that i would need to replace the fuel pump units. Approximately 2 months later while my daughter was driving the GLE 450, the vehicle loss propulsion without warning once again causing my daughter to be stranded at a "Stop sign" 30 miles from home at approximately 1245 am. I had the vehicle towed to "Park Place Motorcars". Service advisor informed me that the Fuel pump unit had failed due to water entering into the trunk and they would have to determine where the water was coming from. I then asked to speak to manager and I remembered that a recall describing this situation had been conducted less than a year prior to this incident (2x). After approximately 1 month the service advisor messaged me and stated that the repair(s) wouldn't be covered under the recall warranty due to the fact that debris was found underneath the vehicle, causing the drain plug to be blocked. I am terrified to allow my family to continue driving this vehicle with the current remedy that Mercedes has chosen to use (drain plug), that did NOT fix the problem specified in the defective issue within the recall paperwork. The REMEDY should be to determine how the water is entering into the vehicle. The water has caused 2 fuel pump incidents within 1 year leading to the loss of propulsion without warning and increasing the risk of a serious crash.

I tried to open the sunroof and it appeared that something was broken or out of alignment and it wouldn't open. I brought it to the dealership. I was told the track had broken off. They replaced it but also found out the reason it was getting off track was because of the panoramic shade that seems to get out of alignment when being manipulated. Overall, the fix to this problem was almost $4000.00 . I asked if there was any recall regarding this and they said no. I questioned why a part of the car that is rarely used has broken so easily and caused so much damage. My car has only 38K miles for a 2016 model. On my own research, I did find that Mercedes has recalled several thousands of cars with similar sunroof problems but my model car was not included. I wanted to reach out and report in case there are other similar reports that other people have come forward with. Thank you very much for your time.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE450 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WELL LINER PIN/SCREW ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL LINER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TIRES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,001.

THE REAR COLLISION ALERT SYSTEM HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE SOUND ADJUSTED BY TECHNICIAN TO 100% IS BARELY AUDIBLE BY THE DRIVER, AND TYPICALLY AT OR AFTER IMPACT. IT IS ALSO NOT LINKED TO THE CAR DASH SOUND SYSTEM, SO THE RADIIO DOES NOT SHUT OFF ITS VOLUME. IN THIS INSTANCE, THE AUDIBLE ALARM IS INAUDIBLE. I HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. THE DEALER DOES NOT ARGUE WITH MY ASSESSMENT, BUT SAYS THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. ATTACHED IS MY MERCEDES SERVICE RECORD DATED 10-23-2018 EXPECTING THE PROBLEM TO BE CORRECTED BY DEALER PROGRAMABLE TECHNOLOGY. I ADVISED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HE MIGHT WANT TO DISCUSS THIS WITH MERCEDES BEFORE I FILED THIS REPORT. HE DECLINED. THIS IS NOT A SAFE CONDITION AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DAMAGE.

MY SUNROOF EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO THE GLASS. THE GLASS FLEW BACK ON ROAD AND THE GLASS REMAINING ON TOO APPEARED BOWED.