Last updated: 2026-10-10
Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Reliability Compared
Audi Q8 e-tron
Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Audi Q8-E-Tron beats the Mercedes-Benz GLE on reliability by a wide margin, mostly because the GLE has 98 recalls and 410 owner complaints. The Audi has 2 recalls and no complaints, though it has only two model years of history.
How Do the Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz GLE Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Audi Q8 e-tron is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLE, scoring 77/100 vs 67/100.
Reliability favors the Audi Q8-E-Tron by a large gap. Federal recall records show 2 recalls for the Audi against 98 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE, and owners filed no complaints on the Audi against 410 on the GLE. The caveat is age. The Audi covers only two model years, so it has had little time to collect problems. The GLE record is long and shows costly, repeated failures, so the lead is real but rests on a short Audi history.
Key Differences
- 1Audi Q8 e-tron has 96 fewer total recalls
- 2Audi Q8 e-tron scores 10 points higher in reliability
- 3Audi Q8 e-tron has 0.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Audi Q8 e-tron | Mercedes-Benz GLE |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 77/100 | 67/100 |
| Years Tracked | 2 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 2 | 98 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 0 | 0.6 |
| Year Wins | 1 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz GLE?
Owners reported no problems on the Audi, so there is nothing to describe yet. The GLE is the opposite. Electrical complaints lead, mostly water in the footwells, shorted wiring, and a dead rearview camera. Engine reports center on cylinder head failure, with quoted repairs of $7,000 to $13,500. Transmissions clunk, jolt, and stall. The GLE also has crash-linked complaints in four areas: electrical, power train, vehicle speed control, and service brakes. The brake and cruise reports involve phantom braking that dealers often cannot fix. The Audi has no crash-linked complaints on record.
| Component | Audi Q8 e-tron | Mercedes-Benz GLE |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| AIR BAGS | —None | —None |
| STEERING | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz GLE Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Audi Q8 e-tron | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 75/1002R / 0C | 70/1008R / 59C | Audi Q8 e-tron |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron scored 75/100 and the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE scored 70/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Audi Q8 e-tron vs the Mercedes-Benz GLE?
Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Common Questions
- Is the Audi Q8-E-Tron more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLE?
- Yes, by a large gap. The Audi has 2 recalls and no owner complaints, while the GLE has 98 recalls and 410 complaints. The Audi's record covers only 2024 and 2025, so it has had less time to show problems. The GLE record is much longer.
- Which has more recalls, the Q8-E-Tron or the GLE?
- The GLE has far more. Federal recall records show 98 recalls across 8 GLE model years. The Q8-E-Tron has 2 recalls across its 2 model years. The GLE has been on the road longer, but the gap is still wide.
- What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz GLE?
- Electrical faults draw the most complaints, mainly water in the footwells, shorted wiring, and dead cameras and parking sensors. Engine cylinder head failure is the costliest, with quoted repairs of $7,000 to $13,500, often near 50,000 miles and past warranty.
- Does the GLE have safety-related complaints the Audi lacks?
- Yes. GLE owners reported crash-linked problems in electrical, power train, vehicle speed control, and service brakes. Examples include adaptive cruise braking hard on the highway and brakes that failed to stop the car. The Audi has no complaints on record, so no crash-linked reports.
- Which GLE model years should I buy or avoid?
- The data rates 2024 and 2019 as the strongest GLE years and 2020 and 2026 as the weakest. Favor 2019 or 2024 and avoid 2020 and 2026. Whatever year you pick, ask for records of any engine or transmission work.
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Decided between Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz GLE? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz GLE
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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