CarRecallWatchThe 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 has 22 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (18 reports).
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 recalls
Loose Ground Wire Can Overheat and Cause Fire
A 48-volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be secured properly, so the connection can overheat over time.
Transmission May Not Downshift, Causing Engine Stall
Certain 2020-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 and GLS 450 vehicles may have a transmission that does not fully downshift under some conditions.
Water Can Leak Into the Cabin, Risking Fire and Lost Safety Functions
Air conditioner drain hoses on these vehicles may have been installed incorrectly, allowing water to drain into the passenger compartment instead of outside the vehicle.
Third-Row Seatback Lock May Fail in a Crash
The locks on the third-row seatbacks may fail, so the seatback may not stay locked in place during a crash.
Rear Window Trim Bars May Detach, Creating Crash Risk
Due to a manufacturing error, the rear door window trim bars on certain vehicles may detach.
Front airbag wiring may be misrouted and fail to deploy
The front air bag wiring harness on these vehicles may be routed incorrectly.
Emergency call system may fail to connect in a crash
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can cause a mobile network connection failure.
Loose Ground Bolt Can Overheat Wiring, Causing Fire Risk
A ground cable bolt for the 48V ground connection under the front passenger seat may not be secured properly.
Rearview camera may show no image, raising crash risk
The rearview camera may fail to display the rear view because of a software error.
Fuel leak could cause engine fire
Particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and the fuel injectors during manufacturing, which can cause fuel to leak from the fuel system.
Seats May Not Properly Restrain Occupants in a Crash
Certain 2020 and 2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles may have had their seats assembled incorrectly.
Rearview camera may show a blank screen, raising crash risk
The multimedia system software in these vehicles can cause the infotainment display to stay black or reboot after startup.
Water Leak Can Cause Fire, Lost Power, or Locked Doors
A/C drain hoses may have been installed incorrectly, allowing water to drain into the passenger compartment and collect in the driver and passenger foot wells.
Stability Software May Pull Vehicle to One Side, Raising Crash Risk
The electronic stability control software can apply torque to one front wheel during certain evasive driving maneuvers, which may pull the vehicle unexpectedly to one side.
Loose dashboard could impair passenger airbag in a crash
The dashboard surface on certain vehicles may not be properly secured to its base material.
Crash Alert May Send Responders to Wrong Location
Certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz vehicles have a software problem in the communication module that runs the automatic crash notification (eCall) system.
Improper ground wire may disable steering, wipers or headlight
A poorly installed electrical ground connection for the illuminated front grille star may affect other components that share the same ground.
Worn Shocks Can Cause Loss of Control and Crash Risk
Some 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, GLS 450, and GLS 580 4MATIC vehicles may have front strut and rear shock absorber pistons with faulty seals.
Rear Crossmember May Crack and Detach, Raising Crash Risk
Some 2020 SUVs may have insufficiently welded seams on the rear crossmember, a structural part of the vehicle frame.
Dashboard switches may not light up in the dark
Certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles from model years 2020 and 2021 may have an instrument cluster software issue.
Rear Door Window Trim May Detach, Creating Road Hazard
The rear door window trim on certain vehicles may detach.
AC Drain Hose Can Leak Water Into Footwells, Risking Fire
Some 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS models may have had their air conditioner drain hoses installed incorrectly.
Most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 problems
Problem areas named in the 36 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
What owners report
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 [XXX] has migrated into safety-critical occupant restraint and visibility modules, violating 49 U.S.C. § 30118. I. AIRBAG & RESTRAINT HAZARDS Scans from [XXX], 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: Ac
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes Benz GLS. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the rear door window trim bars on the passenger side detached from the window. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed as a rear door window trim detachment however the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage 65,000.
Window trim on the passenger rear window fell off while driving- it put others at risk by flying off the vehicle on the interstate- Mercedes Benz of Omaha quoted replacement of the window trim parts- no warning messages on dash
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 har
On a sunny afternoon without zero clouds in the sky, 75 degrees I was driving at 35 mph on a two-lane road with no cars in front of me, behind me, or coming in the other direction, the brakes were urgently and automatically applied and the seat belts dramatically tightened. The system showed a large red X on the screen. It was obvious the automated safety system mistakenly thought we were about to crash into something but there wasn't anything but smooth asphalt.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 questions
Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450: Loose Ground Wire Can Overheat and Cause Fire; Transmission May Not Downshift, Causing Engine Stall; Water Can Leak Into the Cabin, Risking Fire and Lost Safety Functions; Third-Row Seatback Lock May Fail in a Crash; Rear Window Trim Bars May Detach, Creating Crash Risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450?
Based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (18), Engine (9), Forward Collision Avoidance (9).
How do I check if a recall on my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.