2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 30 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
43% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
1. Unknown, smoke started coming from under the passenger side seat, car is a complete loss. 2. Smoke damaged my lungs, there was a large amount of exploding glass, and it could have led to a structure fire. 3. Not applicable 4.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240825
10% of complaints: engine — 3 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: seats — 2 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
1. Unknown, smoke started coming from under the passenger side seat, car is a complete loss. 2. Smoke damaged my lungs, there was a large amount of exploding glass, and it could have led to a structure fire. 3. Not applicable 4.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240825
3% of complaints: wheels — 1 distinct report on file.
3% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 1 distinct report on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030019.
Campaign 20V089000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Campaign 21V058000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles.
Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373.
Campaign 21V354000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 GLE 350, GLE 580, GLS 450, GLS 580, AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 63 S, and AMG GLS 63 S vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear window, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 21V832000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles.
Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022.
Campaign 22V365000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 GLE450, GLS450, 2021-2022 AMG GLE53, 2020-2021 GLE580, GLS580, 2021 AMG GLE63, Maybach GLS600 and AMG GLS63 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the ground cable bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040017.
Campaign 22V231000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, 2021-2022 AMG GLE53, 2020-2021 GLE580, GLS580, and 2021 GLE400e, AMG GLS63, AMG GLE63 S, and Maybach GLS600 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the rear window trim bars, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 22V680000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 AMG GLS63, 2020-2022 GLS450 and GLS580 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the locks on the third-row seatbacks may fail in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the third-row seatback, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 22V732000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, 2021 AMG GLE53, AMG GLE63, Maybach GLS600, AMG GLS63, and 2020 GLE580 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 23V177000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
Campaign 23V445000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 GLE 450 and GLS 450 vehicles. The transmission may not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.
Remedy: Dealers will update the transmission control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 24V118000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GLE 350, 2020-2024 GLE 450, 2020-2023 GLS 580, GLE 580, 2019-2023 GLS 450, 2021-2023 Maybach GLS 600, AMG GLS 63, 2021-2024 AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 53 Coupe, and AMG GLE 63 S vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the 48-Volt ground connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 24V207000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seats issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V089000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V058000 (communication, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V354000 (back over prevention, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V832000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V365000 (communication, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V231000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V680000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V732000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V177000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V445000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V118000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V207000 (electrical system) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.