2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Powertrain & Transmission Problems

See attached letter for complaint

According to the dealer, there are fault codes in the system for Transmission control unit failing. Thats what caused the vehicle to go into "limp" mode... That needs to be replaced. In an instant, the warning lights and reduction in power occurred simultaneously. The car slowed down and had to coast to shoulder of the highway crossing multiple lanes of traffic. The warnings that came on said “car cannot shift”, “battery failure warning” and when stopped; “do not restart the car.” The shoulder was very narrow and we could have easily been hit by the cars passing at high speeds on the beltway. We had to wait 2 hours for Mercedes roadside assistance to arrive. The dealer is saying it will be $6,000 to repair this.

Original owner of a 2021 GLE, purchased on April 21, 2021. The vehicle is currently 4 years and 6 months and 22 days old with approximately 49,000 miles. Despite meticulous adherence to all scheduled maintenance performed and no warning lights activated the vehicle suddenly shutdown and would not restart. According to MB maintenance department it suffered a catastrophic and complete engine failure. This type of premature and total engine failure in a properly maintained, low-mileage vehicle is clearly a defect in material or workmanship. This is a serious safety defect that rendered the vehicle completely inoperable with no warning. Issues are resulting from valve guide wear issues, camshaft codes, valve openness, and no-compression symptoms, camshaft, timing chain, etc.

Location: Dallas, TX – Woodall Rodgers Freeway near North Hall Street exit Mercedes-Benz USA Case #: 18469650 What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s 48-volt electrical architecture appears to have failed, specifically the DC/DC converter or Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG) that provides 12-volt power to all control modules. When this component failed, it caused a total loss of propulsion and electrical power. The vehicle is currently at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Dallas and available for inspection upon request by NHTSA or Mercedes-Benz USA (case #18469650). How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving approximately 50 mph on the Woodall Rodgers Freeway with my family in the car, the vehicle suddenly lost all engine power and throttle response without warning. The accelerator stopped responding, and the engine stalled completely within seconds. I was able to coast partially onto an exit ramp, but once stopped, the car would not restart and could not be shifted into Neutral. We were stranded in live traffic with limited steering assist and no way to move the vehicle, placing my family and other motorists at serious risk of collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The vehicle is currently at a Mercedes-Benz authorized dealer, and the failure has been logged with Mercedes-Benz USA under case #18469650. Initial findings point to a malfunction of the DC/DC converter or 48-volt system. Full STAR diagnostic data and fault codes are pending. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Mercedes-Benz USA has been notified and opened case #18469650. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership’s certified technicians and is awaiting official diagnostic reporting and possible engineering review through Mercedes’ Technical Assistance

While driving at about 55mph on road with one lane going each way, the car engine shut off, all instrument displays went off. There was no check engine light, warning or noise. I was almost rear ended by a car behind me. The car behind me swerved barely missing me, but almost hit oncoming traffic. Once car was on side of road it would not start. I tried to jump car battery with NOCO jump starter and it did not work. Instrument display did not come on, car transmission stuck in Drive. After testing battery with digital voltmeter it showed 12.6V, but car would still not come on nor would instrument display. Car had to get towed to dealer where it's currently at being diagnosed. This was very dangerous and could have been fatal.

Replacement of Cylinder Head (#1)

Was driving down a 2 lane road at about 55 MPH, and a warning light message appeared on the dash and said "battery no longer charging" then another message that said "coolant overheating vehicle shutting down" appeared. And the car would no longer accelerate. So I had to pull over on a busy 2 lane road and turn off my car and turn it back on, and then the car was working normally again. This could have been very bad if it was on a multi-lane highway. My safety was put at risk. I took the Vehicle in, and they said they cleaned some engine contact points and this was because the car lost contact with the engine

On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once. After the first incident, dealer "updated the 48v system and esp control modules and The vehicle is operating as designed." The first incident was on November 9, the second incident was on November 29.

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53. The contact stated that while the gear shifter was in PARK, the vehicle was still rolling. In addition, the vehicle failed to stay in reverse and in neutral. The contact mentioned that the parking brake was activated to keep the vehicle from rolling away. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.