Most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz GLS450 complaints by model year
Best GLS450 years: 2023, 2022. Years to avoid: 2020, 2024, 2021. Compare all years →
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 recalls (12)
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
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.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
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. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.
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.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
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.
Structure › Body
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. Due to a manufacturing error, the rear door window trim bars may detach.
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.
Show 6 more recalls
Communication › Auto crash notification
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. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
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.
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
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. A ground cable bolt for the 48V ground connection under the front passenger seat may not be secured properly, which can cause the electrical cable to…
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.
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
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. The rear window may be insufficiently bonded to the tailgate, which could allow the rear glass to detach.
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.
Electrical system › Software
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. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
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.
Communication › Auto crash notification
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. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.
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.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA250, CLA250 4MATIC and CLA35 AMG 4MATIC, 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLE450 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC and GLS580 4MATIC and 2021 GLE53 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG 4MATIC, GLS63 AMG 4MATIC and Maybach GLS600 4MATIC vehicles.
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.
What 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 owners say
Electrical system
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. In process, but it was recalled for this issue 5. No
2021 GLS 450 VIN # [VIN] Purch: Nov 26, 2022 UAG Fairfield Auto Group CM, LLC,DBA MERCEDES BENZ OF FAIRFIELD Odometer Date of Purchase 10,084 Odometer Currently *13,700 (onboard notification) TIMELINE: Total vehicle system fails while driving on highway lost engine, steering, power suddenly - stranded. November 27, 2021 Loud interference noise coming from MBUX screen, faulty graphics flashing, app not functioning. Extreme Loud "blower" noise coming from heater. Vehicle start would not work as the vehicle did not recognize key was in vehicle even though it was in the vehicle. Informed MB Fairfield. Vinnie said that the noises were "normal" . We knew this was incorrect. December 15, 2021 Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems December 18, 2021 Car would not start/did not recognize key in a parking lot. …
Driver assistance
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz GLS450. The contact stated while driving 75 mph with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle decelerated to 45 mph than to 15 mph. On another occasion, while driving 80 mph, the vehicle independently decelerated to 45 mph. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the cruise control and speed assistance feature provided erroneous information. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Lane Departure safety feature independently activated as he attempted to avoid either a person or an object in the lane of traffic. As the contact attempted to steer around the pedestrian or object in the lane of traffic, the safety feature independently jerked the vehicle back into the lane and into the pedestrian or object he attempted to avoid. The contact stated that a RED icon alert would appear on the instrument panel that the vehicle was encroaching the opposite lane of traffic, which caused the safety feature to be activated. The contact stated that the safety feature could cause more harm than good because he nearly hit other pedestrians because of this feature. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. …
Engine & cooling
2021 GLS 450 VIN # [VIN] Purch: Nov 26, 2022 UAG Fairfield Auto Group CM, LLC,DBA MERCEDES BENZ OF FAIRFIELD Odometer Date of Purchase 10,084 Odometer Currently *13,700 (onboard notification) TIMELINE: Total vehicle system fails while driving on highway lost engine, steering, power suddenly - stranded. November 27, 2021 Loud interference noise coming from MBUX screen, faulty graphics flashing, app not functioning. Extreme Loud "blower" noise coming from heater. Vehicle start would not work as the vehicle did not recognize key was in vehicle even though it was in the vehicle. Informed MB Fairfield. Vinnie said that the noises were "normal" . We knew this was incorrect. December 15, 2021 Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems December 18, 2021 Car would not start/did not recognize key in a parking lot. …
On four occasions my car has stalled while in traffic very early in my ownership and then it happened again today with my family in the car and nearly caused an accident. The entire dash lights up with every warning when it happens. Sometimes the check engine light comes on after I shut the car off and restart it. My Mercedes dealer has had it in multiple times for this reason. The last time it was in for this (May of 2022) they "reprogrammed" the entire car. It happening again today has really made me lose a lot of faith in the vehicle, especially since we purchased it for the safety factors. I read online that there are many others who have experienced this. Some say it is related to the 48V battery. I don't care what Make or Model or how expensive it is, a new car should NOT stall in traffic and should be looked into. Thank You.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | 9-speed automatic | 4WD | 20 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 GLS450 rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the GLS450 at the same age. It is one of the GLS450 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450?
The electrical system — 14 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about 12v/24v/48v battery. Next are the driver assistance (4) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 have?
There are 12 recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450, the most recent from March 15, 2024 (wiring). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz GLS450?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2024 and 2021. See the full Mercedes-Benz GLS450 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 11,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.