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Sadly our new 2025 GLE 450e is not living up to the dream

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29K views 52 replies 30 participants last post by  La Meche  
#1 ·
Subject: A Reflective Statement on My Experience with the 2025 GLE 450e

I have always taken pride in my longstanding relationship with Mercedes-Benz, having purchased many MB vehicles over the years—including the famed AMG GLS model, various iterations of the S-Class, and the most dependable GLE 350 's . Over the years, my experiences have been a testament to the quality, innovation, and reliability that the brand is known for.

My recent purchase of the 2025 GLE 450e, driven by a desire to embrace Mercedes-Benz’s hybrid technology, was filled with high hopes. Two months into ownership, however, I encountered a series of unsettling issues. The vehicle unexpectedly shut down at speed, triggered limp mode, and displayed dashboard alerts—including engine warning lights and the “turtle” display—resulting in a complete loss of power. Initially, a faulty O2 sensor was suggested as the cause, but despite this intervention, the problem persists, and agian the car is returned to the dealership, my (wifes) car remains in the dealership's service bay now for over 13 days.

Reflecting on these events, I am reminded of the trust I have long placed in Mercedes-Benz. My loyalty was built on years of reliable performance and exceptional service, making this experience particularly disheartening. I have always admired the commitment to excellence and the innovative spirit that defines the brand, which is why I find the current situation so troubling. The issues with my(wifes) 2025 GLE 450e not only raise concerns about immediate safety of my family and functionality of the car but also challenges the enduring confidence I have had in Mercedes-Benz.

This reflection is not intended to assign blame to any individual at the dealership—the professionalism and courtesy extended by the service team and sales representatives have remained commendable. Instead, it is an honest account of my experience, a personal narrative of how a beloved brand has, in this instance, not met the expectations that have defined our longstanding relationship.

I share this reflection with the hope that it will contribute to a deeper understanding of customer experiences and inspire continued commitment to quality and innovation. Ultimately, I remain hopeful that the necessary steps will be taken to resolve these issues and restore the trust and confidence that have long been the hallmark of the Mercedes-Benz experience.

Sincerely,

Ben and Dana Oller
 
#2 ·
My husband has this same car and it‘s getting serviced right now for the same problem you described. For the third time. This time they are saying it is the transmission. I’m not feeling confident since they told us something different each time and said it was fixed. This is our family trip car, and I’m so disappointed about having a new, expensive car that is unsafe and unreliable. Are there any updates about your car?
Rachel
 
#3 ·
Hey Rachel,

It seems like this is an ongoing issue between the dealership and Mercedes-Benz USA. From what I understand, a lot of people are dealing with similar problems. It started as a software issue then a bad O2 sensor, and now the oil cooling system needs to be replaced and the parts are on backorder in Germany.

I was told a temporary fix is to turn off the hybrid electric feature until a software update is available—but that kind of defeats the purpose. Honestly, I’m not convinced the oil cooling system is what's triggering the engine into safe mode, but I’m following the protocol anyway.

At this point, my wife’s car has been in the shop for 20 days for this issue, plus 10 days a month ago for the same concerns. Given the situation, I believe Pennsylvania's lemon laws will apply soon. I just don’t have confidence that this car is actually going to get fixed.
 
#4 ·
Thank you for getting back to us about this. I was just told today that the car needs two parts which are in scarce supply. I’m told that there’s only one of these parts available in the United States and one may have to come over from Germany. I’m not sure when this part is coming. And this is my third time having the car in. I echo your concerns regarding confidence. My car is coming up on 10,000 miles, and I am wondering about the Pennsylvania lemon law as well. Thank you for keeping me updated. I will let you know if we have a resolution.
Scott (Rachel’s husband)
 
#5 ·
I believe your ready for a Pa lemon law claim.
1 year and under 12k miles is what my attorney told me was the statute.
Just make sure you have all your services records.
Did your service adviser open a claim with Mercedes-Benz Germany may need to get a claim number from the service department if they did.
 
#8 ·
We are having the same issue. Our car is on its third stint in the service department. This time they have had it for a month waiting for a part that was originally supposed to arrive in June but came in yesterday. We purchased the car the last day in November and it has been in the shop more than we have been able to drive it. I called and created a case with Mercedes based on feedback from the dealership service manager and have called back weekly and emailed our rep. We spoke the day he picked up the case but I have had no return calls or emails since. Really quit disappointing that we have this issue, don’t have our car and can’t get any communication from Mercedes.
 
#9 ·
we too have a Mercedes GLE 450E with the same issue. Keeps defaulting to limp mode. About to be towed into the dealership for the second time. Supposedly a coolant system bubble the first time, obviously not the case. Unfortunately, from what has been posted, I too will start to research the lemon law requirements.

Chris
 
#10 ·
We had our first 'Turtle Mode' event with our 2025 450e this past weekend. We were about 2.5 hours into a four hour road trip. Everything was normal when we were on the highway but when we exited the car went into Turtle mode with the Turtle Light + Check Engine Light and limited power warning message. The car had almost no acceleration 0-20mph but once it was above 25mph and 2k RPM's it was drivable 40-60mph. No major acceleration but it moved. Stayed in Turtle Mode until we reached our destination. Several hours later for our return trip, the check engine light was still on but the car ran fairly normal (we didn't push it though). But it could accelerate. Close to home when we stopped for gas and restarted the car, the check engine light was off and it ran fine. Going to the dealer on Weds ... it will be interesting to see what they say and how much they already know about the Mystery of the GLE 450e random Turtle Mode events.
 
#14 ·
We are getting our GLE 450e back tomorrow after its 2nd trip to the dealer. The first time they reprogrammed most of the car. It went into Turtle Mode again the 2nd day we had it back. It's been there a week now. They flushed and changed the coolant and are returning it tomorrow. They admitted there are alert codes on the vehicle when they scan it but nothing that should be triggering Turtle Mode. So they are basically stumped. I pressed them on this being an issue with the 2024/2025 GLE 450e's and they said there is no communication from MB on this. They said they would get an 'LI' from MB if this was something happening on a regular basis with instructions on what to do. We are in CT, Lemon Law process is pretty strong here, it's all done on-line through CT, no attorney required.
 
#16 ·
We have had the same problem with the same repairs to our 2025 gle 450e. Since the repair have you noticed any type of sound in the radiator area upon starting? It’s a sound as if something like a fan starting. This sound only lasts for less than a minute. I don’t know that I remember this particular sound prior to repair. Anyways thanks
 
#18 ·
Well, our GLE 450e is going back to the dealer for the 3rd time. The last time they flushed the coolant system, car ran fine for about 4-5 days including one long road trip (~700 miles). But this week it went into Turtle Mode 3 times over the last 24 hours. Once while we are on the highway and twice while we were getting off the highway on the exit ramp (that seems to be a constant theme here in the north). We've learned with our GLE, if we pull over, stop the car, wait a minute and restart it will run fine. Turtle light goes off, but check engine light stays on for a while but eventually goes off. So something appears to be tripping it, but it doesn't stay tripped.
 
#39 ·
#23 ·
I have had a similar, terrible experience with a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. The hybrid battery completely died, leaving my wife nearly stranded. The car limped home and was towed to the dealer. I just picked it up 'fixed' after 41 days. I'd never trust it more than 50 miles from home. Why am I on this forum? I just took delivery of a 2024 GLE53 as our new road trip car and we love it. We also have a BMW i4 on order. Despite the appeal, I'm not sure I'd ever go with a hybrid platform again. Every manufacturer seems to struggle with it. Gas or electric only for me.
 
#24 ·
Have had similar issues with my 2025 GLE 450e plug-in...turtle mode, limited performance alert, emergency brake issues. The dealership has been helpful, but every time I bring it in (we are now on the 3rd visit) they are not able to identify the issue, so no real resolutions. The vehicle has less than 2K miles on it (and honestly the dealership is getting more miles on the vehicle that I am). It's been frustrating to spend money on a luxury vehicle to have it not be reliable.

They just came back saying that was "gelling" in the cooling system, so they have ordered a new oil cooling system. Has anyone had this replaced and did it solve the issues between going between the modes/turtle light, etc?

In the meantime, I have been working with the dealership to get a replacement vehicle, hoping that this is not a common issues across all the GLE 450e....so we'll see. At this point though, I am not sure I have any faith in the vehicle itself anymore and the brand image (for me) is eroding each day. Dealership sales and service center have been attentive and responsive, but very disappointed that MB put out a vehicle with this many problems.
 
#25 ·
Good evening
I've read most posts about the 350 and 450 GLE clicking camera issue. Again, please write letters to the President and CEO of Mercedes North America. Dealers cannot solve this issue without support, i.e, a retrofit from Mercedes corporate. Sorry, but we're spinning our wheels complaining about what did or did not happen at MB dealerships. Some dealers have made corporate aware of the problem without success. The power to secure a resolution comes from the customer.
Please take a few minutes to write a letter.