2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
11,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 30 complaints (43.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 40.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control:Software | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Electrical System: 13; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 3; Seats: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control:Software: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2021: 2; 2022: 10; 2023: 8; 2024: 7; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11442482 · 2021-12-02 (December 2, 2021)
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 is malfunctioning and do not continue driving.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469328 · 2022-06-15 (June 15, 2022)
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 DESIGNED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER HAD DETERMINED A FIX FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11469328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11465737 · 2022-05-23 (May 23, 2022)
2021 GLS 450 VIN # [VIN removed] 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 suddenly - stranded. November 27, 2021 Loud interference noise coming from MBUX screen, faulty graphics flashing, app not functioning. Extreme Loud “blower” noise coming from heater. Vehicle start would not work as the vehicle did not recognize key was in…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11465737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11584224 · 2024-04-20 (April 20, 2024)
I was driving and all of a sudden. The car felt like it was swirling left and right and I was trying my best to straighten the steering wheel, but it felt like I had no control of the car. I eventually hit the median on the road and while all this was happen my dashboard was flashing with all the lights, but my eyes were on the road trying to fix the steering wheel so I don’t know exactly what light was on. When I hit the median, I was finally able to regain full control of the car. It kind of felt like my car was accelerating and swerving at…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11584224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500946 · 2023-01-09 (January 9, 2023)
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 off and restart it. My Mercedes dealer has had it in multiple times for this reason. The last time it was in for this (May of 2022) they "reprogrammed" the entire car. It happening again today has really made me lose a lot of faith in the vehicle, e…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500946 at NHTSA ↗