Decode Your VIN
Enter your vehicle's VIN code to discover all technical specifications. The VIN consists of 17 alphanumeric characters.
Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN Decoder
Decode any Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN free in seconds. Enter the 17-character vehicle identification number from your GLE, GLE Coupe, or the M-Class it replaced into the decoder above and get the model year, chassis generation, engine, trim, plant of origin, and open NHTSA recalls, instantly, with no sign-up and no credit card.
This page is the dedicated Mercedes-Benz GLE hub. Below you’ll find the generation history from the original M-Class through the current GLE and GLE Coupe, the WMI codes that actually show up on real GLE VINs, a position-by-position guide to reading one, where the VIN is stamped on the vehicle, and how to check for open recalls.
About the Mercedes-Benz GLE
The GLE nameplate is younger than the vehicle underneath it. Mercedes-Benz launched the model line in 1997 as the M-Class, badged ML320, and it stayed the “ML” for three full generations before Mercedes renamed it GLE partway through the third generation’s life, as part of a brand-wide push to fold every SUV into the GL-prefixed naming scheme used by the GLA, GLC, and GLS. The W166 chassis that debuted as the 2012 ML350 is the same physical platform that came out of a mid-cycle facelift in 2015 wearing “GLE-Class” badges for the 2016 model year. Mercedes did not introduce a new chassis to justify the new name; it renamed the car it already had.
| Generation | US model years | Chassis code | Name used at the time | Built at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1998-2005 | W163 | M-Class (ML) | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama |
| 2nd | 2006-2011 | W164 | M-Class (ML) | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama |
| 3rd | 2012-2015 | W166 | M-Class (ML) | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama |
| 3rd, renamed | 2016-2019 | W166 | GLE-Class | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama |
| 3rd, coupe | 2016-2019 | C292 | GLE Coupe | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama |
| 4th | 2020-present | W167 | GLE-Class | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama |
| 4th, coupe | 2020-present | C167 | GLE Coupe | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama |
The first M-Class rolled off the line in Vance, Alabama in February 1997, but it was sold as a 1998 model. Decoded real-world VINs confirm this: the earliest ML320 VINs we could verify through NHTSA all carry model-year character W, which maps to 1998, not V (1997).
The GLE Coupe (C292, then C167) is a five-door “coupe-SUV” that shares its VDS platform code and mechanicals with the standard GLE of its generation; only the roofline, rear glass, and a couple of restraint-system characters differ. Mercedes-AMG has offered a high-performance GLE63 S across every generation since the 2016 rename: the W166/C292 cars used a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8, while the current W167/C167 GLE63 S uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (the M177 “hot-vee” engine shared with other AMG models).
The single fact that makes the GLE’s VIN unusually simple to decode: every GLE, GLE Coupe, and ML-Class VIN we decoded for this guide, spanning 1998 through 2024, starts with the same three-character WMI and carries the same plant code. That is not true of most Mercedes-Benz models, which are typically German-built with export volume assembled in China or South Africa.
Mercedes-Benz GLE WMI codes (positions 1-3)
The first three characters of a VIN form the World Manufacturer Identifier, assigned by SAE International on behalf of ISO. We decoded real GLE, GLE Coupe, and M-Class VINs across every model year from 1998 to 2024 through NHTSA’s vPIC database, and every single one returned the same WMI and the same plant code:
| WMI | Country | Plant | GLE / M-Class generations built here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4JG | USA | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama | W163, W164, W166 ML/GLE, C292 GLE Coupe, W167 GLE, C167 GLE Coupe, all GLE63 S AMG variants |
That is a genuinely unusual fact for a Mercedes-Benz product. Tuscaloosa was Mercedes-Benz’s first passenger-vehicle plant outside Germany, chosen in 1993 and opened in 1997 specifically to build the M-Class. Mercedes-Benz’s own production reporting describes the GLE, GLE Coupe, and GLS as built at Tuscaloosa “for all global markets,” and every VIN we could verify, including cars originally delivered in Europe and the Middle East, confirms it: the WMI never changes. Mercedes has announced plans to eventually build a China-market, long-wheelbase GLE variant locally at its Beijing joint venture, but as of the VINs we could decode, that car had not yet reached the market, so we’re not including an unverified Chinese WMI here.
If a VIN claiming to be a Mercedes-Benz GLE starts with anything other than 4JG, treat it as suspect (a different WMI could still be a legitimate Mercedes-Benz model, just not a GLE or M-Class) and decode the full VIN with the tool above to confirm.
How to read a Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN: position by position
Every GLE and M-Class VIN built since 1998 follows the 17-character ISO 3779 standard, split into three blocks: World Manufacturer Identifier (positions 1-3), Vehicle Descriptor Section (positions 4-8), and Vehicle Identifier Section (positions 9-17, which includes the check digit, model year, plant, and serial number).
Positions 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier
See the WMI table above. On a genuine GLE or M-Class, this will read 4JG, identifying the vehicle as Mercedes-Benz US International’s Tuscaloosa plant. The digit “4” identifies the country (USA), “J” identifies the manufacturer group, and “G” narrows it to this specific Mercedes-Benz assembly operation.
Positions 4-8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Mercedes-Benz does not publish an official character-by-character key to this block the way some manufacturers do, so rather than guess, we decoded a spread of real GLE and M-Class VINs and recorded what NHTSA’s database actually returned:
| VDS (positions 4-8) | Example VIN | Model year | Model | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB54E | 4JGAB54E6WA001458 | 1998 | ML320 | 3.2L V6 |
| AB57E | 4JGAB57E25A571032 | 2005 | ML350 | 3.7L V6 |
| BB8GB | 4JGBB8GB7AA598281 | 2010 | ML350 4MATIC | 3.5L V6 |
| DA5HB | 4JGDA5HB6EA434034 | 2014 | ML350 4MATIC | 3.5L V6 |
| DA5JB | 4JGDA5JB5HA897913 | 2017 | GLE350 | 3.5L V6 (M276) |
| ED6EB | 4JGED6EB9GA011750 | 2016 | GLE450 AMG Coupe | 3.0L V6 biturbo |
| ED7FB | 4JGED7FB4GA021378 | 2016 | GLE63 S AMG Coupe | 5.5L V8 biturbo |
| FB4JB | 4JGFB4JB5NA723299 | 2022 | GLE350 | 2.0L I4 turbo (M264) |
| FB5KB | 4JGFB5KB7LA036729 | 2020 | GLE450 4MATIC | 3.0L I6 turbo (M256) |
| FB8KB | 4JGFB8KB4MA558706 | 2021 | AMG GLE63 S | 4.0L V8 biturbo (M177) |
| FD8KB | 4JGFD8KB5RB077908 | 2024 | GLE63 S AMG Coupe (Brabus) | 4.0L V8 biturbo (M177) |
A pattern falls out of this even without an official key: cars on the same physical chassis share the first two VDS characters. DA5HB (2014 ML350) and DA5JB (2017 GLE350) are the same W166 platform, one badge before the rename and one after, differing only at position 7, likely reflecting a minor engine-control revision. ED marks the third-generation Coupe body (C292), FB marks the current SUV body (W167), and FD marks the current Coupe body (C167). Position 8 tracks the engine and, on AMG cars, the performance tier. This is decoded evidence, not a published Mercedes-Benz specification, so treat it as a practical guide rather than a factory-documented standard.
Position 9: Check digit
The ninth character validates the other 16 using a fixed weighting formula and modulo-11 math defined by federal regulation. If a single character anywhere in a GLE’s VIN is mistyped, this digit will no longer match, and any compliant decoder, state DMV, or insurer will flag the VIN as invalid. During research for this page, one VIN sourced from a marketplace listing failed this exact check, a reminder that even VINs printed on for-sale listings are sometimes transcribed incorrectly and shouldn’t be trusted without validation.
Position 10: Model year
The tenth character maps to a model year on a 30-year cycle, and the letters I, O, and Q are never used because they resemble the digits 1 and 0. Because the M-Class and GLE span two full cycles (1998-2009, then 2010-2033), the same letter means a different year depending on which cycle you’re in; the chassis code from positions 4-8, or simple context (no W167 existed in 1998), tells you which cycle applies.
| Char | Year (1998-2009 cycle) | Char | Year (2010-2033 cycle) | Char | Year (2010-2033 cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | 1997 (unused for M-Class/GLE) | A | 2010 | P | 2023 |
| W | 1998 | B | 2011 | R | 2024 |
| X | 1999 | C | 2012 | S | 2025 |
| Y | 2000 | D | 2013 | T | 2026 |
| 1 | 2001 | E | 2014 | V | 2027 |
| 2 | 2002 | F | 2015 | W | 2028 |
| 3 | 2003 | G | 2016 | X | 2029 |
| 4 | 2004 | H | 2017 | Y | 2030 |
| 5 | 2005 | J | 2018 | 1 | 2031 |
| 6 | 2006 | K | 2019 | 2 | 2032 |
| 7 | 2007 | L | 2020 | 3 | 2033 |
| 8 | 2008 | M | 2021 | ||
| 9 | 2009 | N | 2022 |
Every model-year character in the table above showed up on a real, checksum-valid VIN we decoded for this guide, with one exception: V (1997) is included for completeness because it’s the correct ISO character for that year in the cycle, but no 1997 model-year M-Class was ever sold; the earliest VINs are all W (1998), matching the vehicle’s actual launch as a 1998 model.
Position 11: Assembly plant
A single character identifies the specific factory. On every real GLE and M-Class VIN we decoded, regardless of model year, this character was the same:
| Char | Plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama | Every W163, W164, W166, C292, W167, and C167 VIN we decoded, 1998-2024 |
We were not able to find a real, checksum-valid GLE or M-Class VIN using any other plant character. That fits the production history: Tuscaloosa has been the sole build site for this model since the M-Class launched in 1997, and Mercedes-Benz’s own production reporting still describes the GLE, GLE Coupe, and GLS as built there for global markets.
Positions 12-17: Serial number
The final six characters are the sequential production number assigned to your specific vehicle as it came down the Tuscaloosa line. Combined with the previous 11 characters, this makes every GLE and M-Class VIN globally unique, even between two identical GLE450s built the same week.
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz GLE
- Lower-left corner of the windshield, visible from outside the vehicle
- Driver’s side door jamb sticker (also carries the Mercedes data card: paint, trim, and equipment codes)
- Stamped on the engine bay strut tower, driver’s side
- Etched into the glass and headlamp housings as an anti-theft measure
- Vehicle title, registration, insurance card, and the Mercedes me / Mercedes-Benz service portal
The windshield and door jamb are the fastest to check on a used-car lot. The strut-tower stamp and etched glass are the ones to compare against the windshield sticker if you suspect a car has been re-tagged; they’re physically part of the vehicle and much harder to swap than an adhesive label.
Check Mercedes-Benz GLE recalls and safety information
To check whether a specific GLE, GLE Coupe, or M-Class has an open recall:
- Decode the VIN with the tool above to confirm the exact model, generation, and model year
- Cross-reference the 17-character VIN with the Mercedes-Benz US recall lookup or NHTSA’s recall database
- Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz authorized service center to schedule any open campaign repair
Recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer regardless of the vehicle’s age, mileage, or ownership history.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN from the windshield, door jamb, or title into the decoder at the top of this page. Results return in seconds and include model year, chassis generation (W163, W164, W166, C292, W167, or C167), engine, trim, plant of origin, and any open NHTSA recalls. No sign-up required.
What’s the difference between an M-Class and a GLE?
For model years 1998 through most of 2015, this vehicle was sold as the M-Class (ML320, ML350, and so on). In 2015, Mercedes-Benz gave the third-generation W166 a mid-cycle facelift and renamed it GLE-Class for the 2016 model year, as part of folding every SUV into its GL-prefixed naming scheme. It’s the same chassis before and after the rename; nothing mechanical changed because of the new name. Decoded VINs bear this out: the platform identifier in positions 4-6 barely changes between a 2014 ML350 and a 2017 GLE350.
Where is the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The two fastest spots to check are the lower-left corner of the windshield, visible from outside the car, and the driver-side door jamb sticker. Both are required by federal labeling regulation on every GLE sold in North America.
Why do all Mercedes-Benz GLE VINs start with 4JG?
Because every GLE, GLE Coupe, and M-Class ever built has come from the same factory: Mercedes-Benz US International in Tuscaloosa (Vance), Alabama. That plant opened in 1997 specifically to build the M-Class and remains the primary global production site for the GLE, GLE Coupe, and GLS today. That’s unusual among Mercedes-Benz nameplates, most of which are built in Germany with additional volume from other regional plants.
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN decoder free?
Yes. VinDecoderPlus decodes every Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN free of charge with no sign-up or credit card. A full vehicle history report, covering accident records, odometer history, and prior ownership, is available as an optional paid upgrade if you need one.
Can a Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN be faked?
The 17 characters can be retyped on a counterfeit plate, but the check digit at position 9 catches the vast majority of single-character tampering through math alone, and the strut-tower stamp and glass etching are physically part of the car, not an adhesive label that can be peeled and swapped. If the windshield VIN and the door-jamb VIN don’t match, or either doesn’t match the strut-tower stamp, treat the car as suspect. Our guide on how to check if a car is stolen by VIN walks through the next steps.
Does a VIN decode tell me everything about my GLE’s history?
No. A VIN decode reconstructs the factory build: model, model year, engine, trim, plant, and any recall actions filed against that VIN. It won’t tell you current mileage, accident history, or how many owners the car has had. For that, you need a paid vehicle history report; see our explainer on the difference between a VIN decoder and a vehicle history report.
Decode any Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN free
Type your 17-character GLE, GLE Coupe, or M-Class VIN into the decoder at the top of this page for an instant, free breakdown. To go deeper into VIN structure or explore other Mercedes-Benz models:
- Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder hub for the brand-wide guide
- How to read a VIN number for the general ISO standard
- What every character in a VIN means for a position-by-position reference
- Classic car VIN decoder for pre-1981 Mercedes-Benz vehicles
- VIN decoder vs. vehicle history report for what a decode covers versus what it doesn’t
- How to check if a car is stolen by VIN for verifying a used GLE before you buy
