The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350, and 2020 GLS450, GLE580, GLS580 vehicles. During certain evasive driving maneuvers, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) software may apply torque to one of the front wheels, pulling the vehicle to one side. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
The risk
If the vehicle unexpectedly pulls to one side during an evasive maneuver, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESP software, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030004.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 | 2020, 2021 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 | 2020, 2021 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 | 2020 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 | 2020 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4MATIC | 2020 |
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 | 2020 | 91 | 27 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 | 2021 | 48 | 14 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 | 2020 | 26 | 32 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 | 2021 | 15 | 17 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 | 2020 | 5 | 12 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 | 2020 | 35 | 20 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4MATIC | 2020 | 2 | 19 |
Other electronic stability control (esc) recalls in 2021
10 of the 988 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2021 concerned the electronic stability control (esc); Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed 180 campaigns in all.
| 21V719000 16 Sept 2021 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 21V647000 18 Aug 2021 | Bentley Motors, Inc. |
| 21V552000 21 Jul 2021 | Kalmar Solutions, LLC |
| 21V360000 17 May 2021 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| 21V233000 1 Apr 2021 | Mack Trucks, Inc. |
| 21V167000 11 Mar 2021 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 21V084000 17 Feb 2021 | Blue Bird Body Company |
| 21V083000 17 Feb 2021 | Blue Bird Body Company |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2021