2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 has 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: 2021 gls 450 vin # 4jgff5ke9ma404568 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 su. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.
41
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
14 complaints- • 2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 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 su
- • 2021 MERCEDES BENZ GLS450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO48-VOLT BATTERY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HAS FAILED TWICE, A YEAR APART. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED "48-VOLT BATTERY FAILURE" AND "CHECK ENGINE". THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS
- • Vehicle would not start on 3 separate occasions. The instrument panel indicated it was the 48v battery. Had it towed to Mercedes dealership to have 48v battery replaced.
“2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 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 su”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
8 complaints- • The car would not start and could not be jumped. I'm told it's the 48V battery has to be replaced. I have seen on the internet numerous people have the same problem and that a large batch of these 48V batteries are the problem. Error message displays stop the vehicle and more details advises battery
- • I was driving down the interstate and heard a loud ‘pop’. Very confused, my daughter and I saw a couple pieces of glass fall from the sunroof. Looked up to see the sky and hear the wind. Luckily, I had the shade closed. I pulled over right away to see a big hole in our sunroof. It seems as thoug
- • Incident 1: May 2022 Vehicle was sitting in driveway overnight and would not start in the morning. Had a 48V battery warning on. Towed to dealership. Said it was a delay software update. Incident 2: August 2022 Was driving 35mpg down the road where a warning sign comes up. Then shortly after the
“The car would not start and could not be jumped. I'm told it's the 48V battery has to be replaced. I have seen on the internet numerous people have the same problem and that a large batch of these 48V batteries are the problem. Error message displays stop the vehicle and more details advises battery”
— NHTSA complaint filing
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
4 complaints- • 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 ob
- • 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 of
- • Mercedes has launch a Campaign Nr 2022010001 Campaign Desc: 21P0699002 in which will retrofit augmented reality camera in 1147 vehicle model year 2021-2022 . My car came without this camera due to the chip shortage during the COVID . I contacted Mercedes Benc USA and the rep
“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 ob”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
3 complaints- • 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 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.
- • 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 of
“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.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
3 complaints- • 2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 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 su
- • Repeated failures of 48 volt battery system has shut vehicle totally off while under highspeed and in traffic
- • 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 of
“2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 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 su”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 41 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: 2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 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 su
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: The car would not start and could not be jumped. I'm told it's the 48V battery has to be replaced. I have seen on the internet numerous people have the same problem and that a large batch of these 48V batteries are the problem. Error message displays stop the vehicle and more details advises battery
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: 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 ob
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz GLS450 — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 41
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 4
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450