2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 16 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-832 the manufacturer reports only 70% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 13, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 has problems

16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system90
Engine40
Vehicle speed control20
Fuel/propulsion system20
Power train20
Tires10
Service brakes10
Forward collision avoidance10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

16 recalls

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

84%repaired · 2026 Q1

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 24V-207 · Mar 15, 2024 · 116,020 vehicles · 97,671 repaired

Risk. An overheated ground connection can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

86%repaired · 2025 Q1

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system

Recall 23V-177 · Mar 17, 2023 · 61,450 vehicles · 53,025 repaired

Risk. Water intrusion into the foot wells may cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components, increasing the risk of fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

91%repaired · 2024 Q3

Structure: body

Recall 22V-680 · Sep 12, 2022 · 161,000 vehicles · 145,709 repaired

Risk. Detached trim bars may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 12 more recalls
91%repaired · 2026 Q2

Communication: auto crash notification

Recall 22V-365 · May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles · 219,931 repaired

Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

86%repaired · 2024 Q2

Wiring: interior/under dash

Recall 22V-231 · Apr 8, 2022 · 21,306 vehicles · 18,350 repaired

Risk. An overheated electrical cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

100%repaired · 2023 Q4

Wiring: interior/under dash

Recall 21V-909 · Nov 19, 2021 · 17 vehicles · 17 repaired

Risk. Loose ground connection bolts on the electric heater may cause the wiring to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

70%repaired · 2024 Q1

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Recall 21V-832 · Oct 22, 2021 · 23 vehicles · 16 repaired

Risk. Detached rear glass can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

93%repaired · 2023 Q3

Seats

Recall 21V-818 · Oct 18, 2021 · 27 vehicles · 25 repaired

Risk. Incorrectly assembled seats may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

93%repaired · 2023 Q4

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 21V-509 · Jul 2, 2021 · 1,467 vehicles · 1,365 repaired

Risk. Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

81%repaired · 2023 Q4

Sensing system: camera

Recall 21V-354 · May 14, 2021 · 343,191 vehicles · 279,011 repaired

Risk. A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2023 Q1

Appliance: air conditioner

Recall 21V-288 · Apr 23, 2021 · 6,331 vehicles · 5,822 repaired

Risk. Water intrusion into the driver and passenger side foot wells may cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components, increasing the risk of fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

100%repaired · 2023 Q1

Interior panels: dashboard

Recall 21V-057 · Feb 5, 2021 · 8 vehicles · 8 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash where the passenger air bag deploys, an unsecured dashboard could impair the inflation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2023 Q4

Communication: auto crash notification

Recall 21V-058 · Feb 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles · 1,231,020 repaired

Risk. Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2022 Q3

Rear/other: buckle assembly

Recall 20V-671 · Oct 30, 2020 · 55,326 vehicles · 52,521 repaired

Risk. An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2021 Q2

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Recall 20V-089 · Feb 14, 2020 · 2,101 vehicles · 1,989 repaired

Risk. If the interior switches are not illuminated, they may be more difficult to find and operate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2021 vs. every other AMG GLE53 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the AMG GLE53 median. How we score

'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What AMG GLE53 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Engine harness wires insulation is falling apart very early after 3 years. It’s causing arching inside the insulation. Issues is from overheating and can cause a fire. Isolation needs to be upgraded and wire harness needs replaced.
Complaint 11645796 · Mar 2, 2025
Vehicle unexpectedly lost power on a major highway. Limped into a service station, called for a tow truck. Several days later vehicle was repaired with a bill of $2800. Four weeks later, while driving, check engine light comes on. Contact dealership that completed repairs, brought car in. Now it’s…
Complaint 11622517 · Oct 29, 2024
Purchased as a CPO directly from a local dealership. Vehicle has experienced multiple (10+), seemingly random failures of the Electronic Stability Control, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Active Break Assist under varied driving and weather conditions. On two separate occasions (one at…
Complaint 11539114 · Aug 17, 2023

Own a 2021 AMG GLE53?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.