The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, 2021 AMG GLE53, AMG GLE63, Maybach GLS600, AMG GLS63, and 2020 GLE580 vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.
The risk
Water intrusion into the foot wells may cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components, increasing the risk of fire. In addition, the emergency call (eCall) feature may be disabled and the doors may not unlock, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the engine may not start or may enter a limp-home mode, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 21V-288 and 19V-587. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023030014 and 15.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
Components: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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 AMG GLE53 | 2021 | 16 | 16 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 | 2021 | 2 | 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 | 2021 | 2 | 10 |
| 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 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS450 | 2021 | 31 | 12 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS580 | 2021 | 5 | 11 |
| Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600 | 2021 | 0 | 5 |
Other visibility recalls in 2023
20 of the 894 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2023 concerned the visibility; Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed 180 campaigns in all.
| 23V856000 17 Dec 2023 | Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. |
| 23V812000 4 Dec 2023 | Gillig, LLC |
| 23V783000 21 Nov 2023 | Rivian Automotive, LLC |
| 23V733000 1 Nov 2023 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| 23V688000 13 Oct 2023 | Ford Motor Company |
| 23V681000 12 Oct 2023 | General Motors, LLC |
| 23V518000 27 Jul 2023 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 23V511000 24 Jul 2023 | Volvo Trucks North America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2023