The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS is associated with 37 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 12 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Electrical System, accounting for 10 reports (27% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 4 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3L 6-Cyl hybrid and 4L 8-Cyl hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 21 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS belongs to the 3rd generation (X167) GLS platform spanning model years 2020–2026.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 37 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 12 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Electrical System (10 / 27%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 2 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–21 MPG (4 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| GLS450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| GLS580 4matic Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| AMG GLS63 4matic Plus Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| GLS600 4matic Maybach Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
NHTSA 5-Star NCAP laboratory crash evaluations are not currently on file for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Not Specified and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Not Specified in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS models.
View complete 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS problems & component breakdown (18 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
View all 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS recalls & campaign history (12 campaigns) →