Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle shut off with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that a message to exit the vehicle was displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer on four separate occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the battery. The battery was either recharged or replaced while at the dealer; however, the failure returned soon after repair. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
While traveling at highway speeds, the digital instrument cluster suffered a sudden, complete power loss and went entirely black for approximately 5 seconds before rebooting. Component failed: Digital instrument cluster / dashboard display. It is available for inspection. Safety risk: Complete loss of critical data (speedometer, vehicle status) at high speed. It caused immediate driver confusion over whether the vehicle had stalled or lost propulsion, creating an acute risk of a high-speed collision in traffic. Reproduced by dealer: [UNKNOWN] Inspected by others: [NO] Prior symptoms: UNKNOWN. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the sudden blackout.
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, the power steering was inoperable. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated; in addition to the check engine warning light being illuminated. The driver was able to pull over safely stop after coasting the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure with the accelerator pedal, pin connector, and an unknown electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200. The VIN was not available.
While backing out of steep driveway, the car computer screen blinked saying "updating" then screen went blank, lost power, I could not brake. We have a row of trees at the back of our driveway that stopped the car ( with damage) or else we would have rolled into our neighbors basement all. Tree limbs poked a hole in bumper, cracked left tail light, and damaged the back hatch. Mercedes is saying User fault. I have been driving for 45 years without a ticket, wreck or causing an accident, and I am not a liar. If this blanking of the computer screen happened on a highway , a whole family could be killed, or caused a MULTI-car accident. I am concerned about OTHERS welfare. sent 8/17/2024
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. …
The engine wiring harness insulation near the ignition coil connectors prematurely deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to engine heat in the turbocharger/exhaust area. Multiple wiring connectors exhibited brittle, cracked insulation with exposed conductors. The degraded wiring began shorting within the ignition system, causing engine misfires, ignition circuit faults, and eventual loss of engine operation. While being operated by a rental customer the vehicle developed severe misfires followed by electrical shorting, smoke, localized flames in the engine harness area, and eventual engine shutdown. The flames self-extinguished after the electrical shorting stopped, but portions of the harness insulation showed thermal damage and overheating. The customer became stranded due to the vehicle becoming inoperable. …
AMENDMENT TO ACTIVE CASE 11723015. CRITICAL AIRBAG & SAFETY DEFECTS. This files a safety defect amendment to open case 11723015. Diagnostic scans confirm central data bus network collapse on VIN [redacted] has migrated into safety-critical occupant restraint and visibility modules, violating 49 U.S.C. 30118. I. AIRBAG & RESTRAINT HAZARDS Scans from [redacted], document active faults: DTC U042782: "Implausible data received from Electronic Ignition Lock." The SRS module receives corrupted data from the failed ignition gateway, creating risk of airbag non-deployment. DTC B007A13: Passenger seatbelt pre-tensioner open circuit; occupants are unprotected against crash displacement. DTC B11FA4B: Active "Overtemperature" faults in heating elements indicate localized thermal short-circuit risk. II. …
Related recalls (4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz GLS450 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (18), 2021 (14) and 2017 (8) model years. Electrical complaints make up 50% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz GLS450 electrical problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 24V-207 (wiring, Mar 15, 2024); 22V-231 (interior/under dash, Apr 8, 2022); 21V-354 (software, May 14, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz GLS450 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles; 92% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the 12v/24v/48v battery (2 mentions), followed by the wiring › front underhood (1).
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.