2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
33/100
#5 most-complained of 7 Gle450 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 has a Complaint Index of 33 and ranks 5th worst out of 7 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other years. NHTSA lists 15 complaints and 17 recalls, with the Electrical System as the top problem area at 60% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 17
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 26 hwy
Top 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System9 (60%)
- Engine7 (47%)
- Other3 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (20%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)
What owners report
- Owners report the 48V battery going dead shortly after purchase, sometimes within a few hundred miles, leaving the vehicle unable to start or be jump-started.
- Some drivers experienced sudden loss of motive power while driving, accompanied by a 48V battery malfunction message and a coolant overheating warning on the instrument panel.
- One owner described the vehicle dying completely at highway speed with no warning, requiring an emergency maneuver to the shoulder.
- Owners report repeated no-start events requiring towing, with dealers alternating between software updates and battery replacements without a lasting fix.
- Wiper installation on 2021 GLE models was described as incorrect, causing excessive noise and poor window clearing that dealers acknowledged but could not resolve.
- One owner noted the camera view display becoming intermittently unavailable, showing a restricted message that later cleared.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 recalls
17 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V724000Sep 27, 2024Electrical System10,655 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 GLE 350 and 2021-2022 GLE 450 vehicles. The front acceleration sensor's wiring harness may be routed incorrectly, which can prevent the front air bags from deploying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reroute the wiring harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024100006.
- NHTSA 24V207000Mar 15, 2024Electrical System116,020 vehicles
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. A 48-Volt ground connection under the passenger seat may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connection overheating.
Risk: An overheated ground connection can increase the risk of a fire.
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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024040002.
- NHTSA 24V118000Feb 16, 2024Transmission & Powertrain105,071 vehicles
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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Gle450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle450 reliable?
- Relative to other Gle450 model years, 2021 carries a "Good" verdict, ranking 5th worst out of 7 years with a Complaint Index of 33. NHTSA records 15 complaints for this year.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Gle450?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 60% of complaints, largely tied to 48V battery failures reported at a median mileage of 3,000 miles for that category.
- Does the 2021 Gle450 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 17 recalls for the 2021 Gle450, covering areas including the Electrical System, Transmission & Powertrain, Fuel System, HVAC, Steering, and Structure & Body. None are classified as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Gle450 compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's Complaint Index of 33 is lower than 2016 (83), 2020 (67), 2022 (50), and 2024 (100), but higher than 2023 (17), making 2021 a comparatively better year within this model.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2021 Gle450?
- The overall median mileage at failure is 8,262.5 miles, though Electrical System and Engine complaints show a median mileage of 3,000, while Transmission & Powertrain issues show a median mileage of 73,000.