KNOWN FAULTS · Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167) GLE 350 de / 400 e common problems.
2019–2026 · Plug-in hybrid
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
By what you notice
A warning light comes on2 sheets
- AIRMATIC leaks and compressor
- Assist systems not available messages caused by a steering wheel hands-on detection fault (Mercedes-Benz from 2020)
Noises or vibration2 sheets
Losing coolant or overheating1 sheet
4 known faults with sources
Applies if: Only if fitted with the automatic gearbox described in the record.
9G-Tronic harsh shiftingAutomatic gearbox
- Engine / equipment
- 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox (725.0 and 725.1): C-Class W205 and W206, E W212 and W213, CLS, S W222 and W223, GLC, GLE, GLS, SL and SLC
- Period mentioned
- 2013–2026
- Symptoms
- Harsh or jerky shifts (especially 1st to 2nd and when cold), vibration, delayed shifts or limp mode; sometimes the gear will not engage from N to D. Codes P073E00 and P07B700.
- Possible cause described
- Mercedes acknowledges in a technical bulletin complaints of harsh shifts, shudder and limp mode with various causes. In the early years (2014–2016) it is usually software or adaptation rather than mechanical damage; in other cases the pressure sensor built into the gearbox control unit fails.
- Check for the garage
- Follow the Mercedes bulletin: reproduce the complaint, save the EEPROM, check the oil level, run the Xentry valve flush, update engine, gearbox and shift unit software and perform the standstill adaptation. If it persists, check the control unit.
- Cost cited in the source
- Software update and adaptation: the most common and cheapest fix; repairing or replacing the control unit costs considerably more (the sources give no comparable figures)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
Mercedes-Benz (NHTSA): 9G-Tronic bulletin LI27.00-P-060741Mercedes-Benz (NHTSA): 725.1 bulletin (updated 9G-Tronic)Mercedes-Benz (NHTSA): harsh 1st-to-2nd shift with the M264 engineKfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: 9G-Tronic in the C-Class W205ABS Stuurapparaten: codes P073E00 and P07B700
View full entryApplies if: Only if fitted with air suspension.
AIRMATIC leaks and compressorSuspension
- Engine / equipment
- AIRMATIC air suspension: E-Class W211, W212 and W213, S W220 to W223, CLS, CL, ML W164, GL, GLE and GLS
- Period mentioned
- 2002–2026
- Symptoms
- One corner sags overnight, suspension fault warning, the compressor runs a lot or a compressor overheated message appears; eventually the car sits low and rides hard.
- Possible cause described
- The air bellows on the struts leak with age, often at the upper crimp rings, and the compressor overworks until it burns out. The valve block and lines also leak, and the compressor relay (in the rear SAM on W221, W222 and W213) and ride height sensors fail.
- Check for the garage
- Spray soapy water on bellows, lines and valve block; read each corner's data with Xentry; check the compressor fuse and relay. Do not replace the compressor without fixing the leak first, or the new one will fail soon.
- Cost cited in the source
- Compressor: approx. €600–1,200 at an independent garage (converted from Canadian dollars); bellows: depends on the cornerA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Mileage cited in the database: 95,000–115,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.
Sources from the original database
Foreign Automotive: AIRMATIC symptoms, causes and costsEuro Premium Parts: Mercedes air suspension failureAu7o: AIRMATIC compressor on the S-ClassSuncore: AIRMATIC diagnosis on the ML and GL
View full entryApplies if: US bulletin (XENTRY LI46.10-P-078012) for Mercedes-Benz cars with a capacitive steering wheel (code 266) built from 2020; in Europe, ask the dealer.
Assist systems not available messages caused by a steering wheel hands-on detection fault (Mercedes-Benz from 2020)Driver assistance
- Engine / equipment
- Mercedes-Benz with a capacitive steering wheel (code 266)
- Period mentioned
- Built from 2020
- Symptoms
- Messages on the cluster: "Active Emergency Stop Assist not available", "Active Lane Keeping Assist not available" or "Active steering assist not available".
- Possible cause described
- The steering wheel hands-on detection fails: the detection mat, its control unit, the contacts or the wiring. Mercedes-Benz releases new software and SCN coding for the HOSWD control unit (note LI46.10-P-078012).
- Check for the garage
- Ask the garage to apply note LI46.10-P-078012: do not replace the HOSWD control unit, update its software and check the steering wheel contacts, wires and ground connections.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryApplies if: US bulletin (LI35.31-P-080353) for the 167, 206, 214, 236, 223 and 254 series, except AMG models with code 467; in Europe, ask the dealer.
Low humming from the rear differential when cornering (recent Mercedes GLE, GLS, C-, E-, S-Class, CLE and GLC)Transmission
- Engine / equipment
- Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS (167), C-Class (206), E-Class (214), CLE (236), S-Class (223) and GLC (254), except AMG models with the electronically controlled locking differential (code 467)
- Period mentioned
- 2020–2027 (US model years)
- Symptoms
- A low whining or humming noise, like a foghorn, from the rear axle area when cornering; mostly on cars with less than 15,000 km.
- Possible cause described
- Resonance from the ring and pinion gear mesh in the rear differential combined with the damper elements on the axle shafts. Mercedes adds 15 ml of friction modifier to the differential and, if the noise does not change, replaces it (information LI35.31-P-080353).
- Check for the garage
- Ask the workshop to drive the car in a tight circle at full steering lock in both directions and compare the noise with the Mercedes reference video.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.