NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 16 recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg Gle53.
Electrical system complaints lead the owner reports for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53. Owners describe seemingly random failures of multiple driver assistance features simultaneously, electronic stability control, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking dropping out without an obvious trigger, across varied conditions. A separate pattern involves wiring concerns, with at least one owner describing engine harness insulation deteriorating prematurely and causing arcing. Powertrain complaints center on the transmission control unit, with owners reporting fault codes, sudden warning lights, and the vehicle entering limp mode with a sharp reduction in power, one account describes this happening at highway speed, requiring the driver to coast across lanes to reach the shoulder.
16
Total Complaints
By System
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 has 16 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks tied to electrical wiring: a 48-volt ground connection under the front passenger seat can overheat, as can loose ground bolts for the electric heater in the passenger footwell.
A separate fire risk comes from incorrectly installed air conditioning drain hoses that let water pool in the footwells, where it can corrode wiring or cause short circuits. The fuel pump can also shut down without warning, cutting drive power while the vehicle is moving.
On the occupant safety side, the rear center seat belt buckle can fall into the gap beneath the seat cushion and become unreachable, leaving a passenger unbelted. Seats on certain vehicles may have been assembled incorrectly and could fail to restrain an occupant in a crash. The dashboard surface may also not be properly bonded to its base, which can interfere with passenger airbag deployment if the bag fires.
Several recalls involve things leaving the vehicle: the rear window may detach from the tailgate, rear door window trim bars can come loose, and LED headlights may be misaimed, reducing nighttime visibility. The backup camera can display a black screen or reboot on startup, limiting rear visibility when reversing. Two recalls cover the emergency call system, which may fail to connect or may send responders to the wrong location after a crash. Switch illumination on the instrument panel can also fail, making interior controls harder to find while driving.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The 48-Volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be properly secured, which can cause it to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the 48-Volt ground connection as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump may shut down unexpectedly, causing a loss of engine power while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Air conditioner drain hoses may be incorrectly installed, allowing water to drain into the passenger compartment instead of outside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air conditioner drain hoses and reinstall them correctly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trim bars around the rear door windows may come loose and detach due to a manufacturing error.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear window trim bars and secure them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call (eCall) system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated at no cost through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ground cable bolt for the 48V electrical connection under the front passenger seat may not be properly tightened, which can cause the cable to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the ground cable bolt as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ground connection bolts for the electric heater in the passenger-side footwell may be improperly tightened, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the electric heater ground connection and tighten or repair it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear window may not be properly bonded to the tailgate, which could cause the rear glass to detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear window at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seats may have been assembled incorrectly during manufacturing, potentially affecting their function or safety.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your seats and repair them if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
LED headlights may have been incorrectly adjusted during a repair, causing them to not meet federal lighting standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the LED headlights at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to go black or restart after startup, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying properly.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the multimedia system software, or you can receive the update over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air conditioner drain hoses may have been installed incorrectly, allowing water to drain into the passenger compartment instead of outside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air conditioner drain hoses and correct the installation as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The dashboard surface may not be properly secured to its base material, which could cause it to shift or separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire dashboard at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The middle seat belt buckle can be pushed down into the gap below the seat cushion during buckling. If trapped there, the buckle becomes inoperable and cannot restrain a passenger.
What the fix does
Dealers will secure the middle seat belt buckle to prevent it from dropping into the gap.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster software may turn off the lights on certain interior switches (switch bar, overhead controls, steering wheel) when hazard lights are on and the ignition is off.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore proper switch illumination.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.