I don't have a high pitch in my GLE 350 with 800+ miles. Only hear loud exhaust in the cabinet; it's more than my Pathfinder SL. I'm not sure if it's the "SPORT" tuned engine or what. However, we do have the high pitch at 12 miles (brand new) from the pick up at the lot; in the Pathfinder up until 10K miles. It was told from the Pathfinder Forum that it's power steering pump that product that noise. It randomly goes away and back, I just turn up the music a bit to block it out. Otherwise it's running great. Hope this help. Do let us know what is the verdict?

 

I also have an annoying exhaust noise in my GLE 350 that I purchased in September and have approx. 2,500 miles on it. The noise appears at 1,500 RPM and goes away between 1,800 and 2,000 RPM, took it to the dealer and they said that it was normal. Also, I have a situation where the revs increase (blip) up about 500 rpm each time the transmission downshifts. I have had 3 MB's before this one and they never did it. Told the dealer and they also said that this is normal. I am wondering if my noise and rev issue is more related to a torque converter problem instead of an exhaust issue???

 

You might also want to try testing a GLE from another dealer, just to see if it's like that, taking note of mileage and so on that it has.

 

I have a 2016 GLE 300d. I too am not pleased with the loud engine/exhaust noise. We previously owned a 2012 Mercedes ML350 diesel. The 2016 GLE 300d is SO MUCH LOUDER than our 2012 ML. I know Mercedes changed the engine from a V6 to a 4 cylinder - but the loud noise in the cabin of the car is ridiculous. Ugh - not very luxurious to have to turn the radio up to try and cover the "cheap" sound of your engine.

 

I emailed both the dealer and Mercedes with no response at ALL. I have found a Motor Trend review that also notes the noise. I have talked to several auto techs and the over whelming thought was to replace the exhaust tail pipes or "tips" but all are afraid it will jeopardize the warranty. My noise is also most noticeable between 1400 and 1800 RPMS. Why can't a luxury car address this?
Motor Trend review 2016

As we’ve noticed in other Benzes using this new V-6, the engine note is gritty and unrefined with an unpleasant, nasally exhaust note and enough internal dissonance to vibrate the floorboards at 3,500 rpm. It’s far too loud (even on a vehicle wearing AMG Sport badges), and its whole character is out of place in a Mercedes-Benz product. Also, boosted to 120 hp per liter is a recipe for lag, and indeed at low speeds the V-6 struggles to build boost. The V-6’s rumored straight-six replacement cannot come soon enough.

 

I too am going insane with this high pitch exhaust/muffler noise. My dealer tells me it's normal but I find it hard to believe that MB would release a product with such problem and not addressing it. I've now put on 2000 miles and almost want to take a hit and terminate the lease early. If anyone with the same problem had resolved the issue please please share with us the solution. Thanks!

 

It is an exhaust problem. Mercedes fixed my problem after I started action under Georgia's Lemon Law. Replaced a muffler and other exhaust parts.

 

I think MB didn't care about adding more sound proof materials in the doors, floors, and spare tire well. In my 2008 c300, the door are much heavier than this GLE350, even closing the trunk requires more efforts. I wonder if add sound deafing material, those rubber like sheet to the spare tire well will alleviate the exhaust sounds?

 

My GLE350 has same noise when RPM is on 1600 and if the car is running on 1600-1700 RPM, the noise is continuously bother me, I hate that noise very much. I went to dealer they say it is normal, but I think it is a software issue.

 

Or could it be an exhaust/tail pipe issue? I don't hear the high pitched hum coming from the engine. I heard it coming from the rear.

 

Yes!! Both my wife and I noticed the high pitched whining noise right away. I turned in a 2014 ML 350 and it did not have the annoying engine sound. I am NOT happy. This is a $60k+ vehicle. I expect MB to fix this problem and stop saying its "normal".

 

Can you please note what part number they replaced? My 2 day old GLE 350 has the same issue at 1000-1500 RPM. There is definitely an abnormal noise which is not noticeable at higher RPMs.

Thanks in Advance

 

I know the sales manager at the local dealership. I sent him this forum thread and made an appt to take it in. The service manager and I went for a quick ride. He recognized the noise right away and did not say "it's normal". He said they changed the exhaust system (like I thought) and there have been many complaints mostly with the super charged GLE Coupe. So he looked it up and sure enough Mercedes posted a fix for the noise on the GLE 350. The fix is to go back to the prior model (ML 350) exhaust system. Problem is it won't look the same from behind as it does now but I don't care. I want the noise gone. Oh, and it IS covered uder warranty so they we're not the only ones complaining. It's not a recall so your dealership will have to look it up as an off-record fix. They ordered the parts and I will let you all know how it ends up after they fix it but so far this is good news.

 

How different well it look? Please post some pictures of before and after exhaust system replacement. Thank you.

 

Hi Trey,
Did your dealership got the parts in and fixed it yet?

I can't stand the exhaust noise anymore. I have made an appointment with my dealership this Thursday to take a look at it. After talking to them over thr phone. They said there are No recall or TB on the GLE.

If don't you mind letting me know what parts are beginning replaced? Can you PM or post the list here ao i can show them.
Thank you.

 

Alright, after test drove with the foreman yesterday. It was confirmed that a replacement of exhaust system is needed. I'm not sure if the new exhaust system is a "straight" drop from the engine or it's the one from ML, as quickly mentioned by the foreman during the drive. There won't be any cosmetic changes to the car as well. The parts are beginning order in the meantime, I have blast the music up to block out the noise.

If anyone know what is the different between a "straight" exhaust system -Please chime in.Thank you.

 

That stinks, you're stuck with an older model exhaust instead of the one you paid for. Not sure what the difference is, maybe the straight pipes gives you a louder exhaust sound? Not a high pitch hum but a normal exhaust sound.

 

Trust me, its worth it. You won't notice the difference.

 

Yes the dealership fixed it at no cost. I just got back from a business trip. I will post pictures this weekend. The good news is the annoying noise is gone and it looks good. You won't notice the difference. Again, I will post pictures this weekend.

 

I may be mistaken here but isn't it normal for any engine to increase rpm when it downshifts? Just saying.

 

I've owned a 2008 C-class and There were no noticeable engine rpm inside the car even at 118k miles. I notice that two when I tested prior other GLE prior to my purchase. No knowing I've previous own a Benz, The sale guy said, "that is because it's a strong V6 engine" I had the same thought like you until I found out this forum .

I'm having my scheduled this coming Thursday, let's hope it solve the "droning-sound" problem.

 

It's still in the shop. I'll will updated hopefully tomorrow if it's ready for pick up.
On a side note, I got the 2016 C300 as a loaner. It is much roomy inside specially the rear compare to mine 2008 C300. And it is Super fun to drive with Sport ++. It's pushes you back in your seat while you're flying down the road ����

 

It's still in the shop. I'll will updated hopefully tomorrow if it's ready for pick up.
On a side note, I got the 2016 C300 as a loaner. It is much roomy inside specially the rear compare to mine 2008 C300. And it is Super fun to drive with Sport ++. It's pushes you back in your seat while you're flying down the road ����

It is done the interior sound are much better now. No more droning noise around 1500prm. Also had the transmission reprogrammed; it shift quicker and no more kicks at 20-25mph. Here is the parts list replaced from the dealership.

 

Are you all talking about the same noise? It sounds like a transmission problem in low gear. My last ML did not have this.
Why would changing the exhaust fix this?

 

It is NOT a transmission problem. Lets not complicate things here. It's a simple exhaust issue. If you don't hear it then disregard this thread.

 

Africaeddie
Yep, have the same noise in my new GLE 350, Dealer claims they cannot fix the problem as all the GLE's have the same noise. I disagree as the sound is emanating from the exhaust baffle box, it is more pronounced at low speeds and starts noticeable at 1500 rpm. The sound can be heard when running the engine whilst the vehicle is stationary through the rpm range 1500 to 2400 rpm. It is louder when the vehicle is on an incline as more gas in passing through the exhaust system. I have escalated my complaint to Mercedes Benz's head office and trust they will listen to our complaints otherwise my third purchase of a new Mercedes will be my last. I definitely will not be driving this vehicle with this noise for any length of time.

 

From the work order.
494820 Muffler T2 Replace 453 W67
2 - 002 995 50 02 pipe clamp F exhaust system
1 - 166 490 02 22 Rear muffler system

Reference PTSS Case 75845: symptom was identified as an echo in the rear muffler aggregated by straight tail pipes.

Hope this help for future people with stubborn dealership.

 

Thank you for the part numbers
Every time I drive the car, I get annoyed at the noise

 

I recently picked up a new 2016 GLE350 after trading in my ML350. I am truly disappointed in the interior noise level. There is a whining noise coming from the rear right at low speeds. I brought it to the dealer only to be informed that the noise is an exhaust issue with the 2016 models. Even though they are aware of the problem it is not a recall and they did not offer to fix it. I expected more from a Mercedes Benz. I will continue to try to get them to fix this. The noise is driving me nuts.

 

I would request to drive with another Forman/Technician until they agreed. If not, I'll get my service done elsewhere.

Hope they will fix if you present them a copy of the part replaced in mine.
If not call MB USA HQ and ask them interven; It works with my transmission on my 2008 C-class jerk, after it was replaced as per dealership requested and paid by me ($1500.00). The dealership kept my car for three days and final had it fixed.

 

Mercedes is saying it is NORMAL NOISE! Paid 60K for a car which sounds like a piece of junk. For you people wanting to buy this car, WAIT till they fix this problem before you waste your money!

 

Redfox do you still hear noise after the fix?

 

The noise is gone, but if you want to hear it you will.

I notice that Both exhaust pipes are Not connect to the silver/Chrome pipe on the rear bumper. They are bend downward. I not Sure if original tail pipes were even connected to in the beginning :/

Can someone please snap and post the picture of your tail pipe IF you have NoT get your tail pipe fixed?

I'll try to post mine tomorrow.

Thank you

 

Exhaust fix for GLE

http://www.arrowheadmbservice.com/blog/2016-mercedes-benz-gle350-suv-exhaust-whine-explanation/

 

I'm glad that I'm not the only one hearing the whine at low rpms! I should have gotten a BMW but now stuck with this car so I hope Mercedes will acknowledge the defect and offer a fix for all the GLE buyers!

 

I too experienced this problem with my new GLE350 SUV and got it RESOLVED! But first the background: Went to dealer last summer and test drove a new 2015 ML350. Since the new 2016 GLE350 was soon to be available, I opted to custom order it exactly like I wanted and wait for delivery. When my new GLE arrived a few months later it sounded much more raucous and louder than the ML I had previously test driven. My new GLE had annoying exhaust resonances at low rpms, 1500-1800 and then around 2500 which unfortunately is right where the rpm sits at 70 mph, so it just droned away as I feathered the gas pedal to maintain constant freeway speeds. Passengers often remarked about the sound... "is your car OK .. sounds funny" ...

I took it back to the dealer for its first checkup and complained. Initially got the 'it's normal ... that's the way it is' response. One story was that it was intentional to be more 'sporty' sounding. But after putting several thousand more miles on the car I had enough and wrote a letter to MBZ North America. Dealer called me shortly after to bring the vehicle back in for them to take another look at it. This time they drove the car longer and consulted with their PTSS (product technical support system). They concluded this was an exhaust resonance that could be heard and felt as a vibration in the vehicle. They kept the car for a few days and repaced the rear muffler. According to the service record "per PTSS installed an earlier production rear exhaust with turned-down exhaust tips..."

I crawled under and confirmed the entire rear muffler assembly was shaped different and brand new. The exhaust tips no longer enter the decorative chrome 'faux' exhaust ports at the rear bumper. Now they are turned-downwards just in front of those parts. This definitely did the trick. Car now drives much quieter and as rpms pass through those previously noisy ranges, the exhaust stays quieter without the loud resonance.

 

I have the same problem ... it's a resonance sound at low speeds. My understanding is the new 2016 model's exhaust now goes through the bumper instead of below it as in earlier models. I have had mine in the shop on two different occasions and the tech clearly heard the problem but can't fix it!! Mercedes says it's a design issue and is normal ... BS. I told the dealership that if Mercedes isn't willing to address the issue I will be driving a BMW X5 before the end of this year. I drove another 2016 and it exhibited the same noise condition ... Mercedes needs to address this issue! The more people complain the better.