NHTSA (USA)High Risk
This page covers 17 recalls and 14 owner complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450.
Electrical system complaints lead the 2021 GLE 450 owner reports. The most recurring pattern involves 12V and 48V battery-related warnings, with multiple owners describing sudden warning messages, including battery malfunction and coolant alerts, accompanied by a loss of acceleration at highway speeds. A few owners also report the vehicle failing to start on the first attempt, a problem that in at least one case recurred after a firmware update at the dealership. Engine stalling under normal driving conditions appears in a couple of reports as well, including one instance during a highway crossing. On the visibility side, a handful of owners describe wiper blades that make excessive noise and don't clear the windshield effectively, with dealers apparently acknowledging the issue as common to this platform but offering no fix.
14
Total Complaints
By System
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 has 17 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks from loose or improperly secured electrical ground connections located under the front seats and in the passenger-side footwell.
A separate steering recall involves a locking screw on the steering coupling that can loosen and detach from the steering gear, causing a complete loss of steering control. The fuel pump can also shut down without warning, cutting drive power while moving, and a transmission software issue can cause the engine to stall in certain conditions. The electronic stability control software can misapply torque to a front wheel during evasive maneuvers, pulling the vehicle sideways unexpectedly.
On the occupant safety side, a wiring harness for the front crash sensor may be routed incorrectly, preventing the front airbags from deploying in a crash. The middle rear seatbelt buckle on five-passenger models can fall into the gap below the seat cushion and become unreachable, leaving that seating position without a working restraint.
Several other issues affect visibility and the cabin environment: misadjusted LED headlights can reduce forward visibility, air conditioner drain hoses may route water into the footwells and cause electrical shorts or corrosion, and the multimedia system software can cause the backup camera display to go black. The automatic emergency call system has two separate recalls covering situations where it may fail to connect at all or may send emergency responders to the wrong location. Rear door window trim bars may detach and become a road hazard, and interior switch illumination may fail, making
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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 →
At a glance
What can fail
The front acceleration sensor's wiring harness may be routed incorrectly, preventing the front air bags from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and reroute the wiring harness 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 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 transmission may fail to downshift completely in certain conditions, which can cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the transmission control unit software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A 12-volt ground connection under the driver seat may not be secured properly, causing it to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and secure the 12-volt ground connection as needed at no cost.
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 screw that locks the steering coupling to the steering gear can loosen or come off, which could cause you to lose control of the steering.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering coupling locking screw at no cost to you.
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
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
During sharp evasive maneuvers, the Electronic Stability Program software may apply torque unevenly to a front wheel, causing the vehicle to pull to one side.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Electronic Stability Program software at no charge.
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.
