2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Stability Control Software Recall (21V071)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · 41,838 vehicles · Reported February 12, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is recalling 41,838 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 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." If the vehicle unexpectedly pulls to one side during an evasive maneuver, it can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V071 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V071000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 2021030004 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 12, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 |
| Units affected | 41,838 |
| Component | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) > Control Module > Software |
| Safety risk | If the vehicle unexpectedly pulls to one side during an evasive maneuver, it can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 in recall 21V071?
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.
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."
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 GLE 350 with recall 21V071?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: If the vehicle unexpectedly pulls to one side during an evasive maneuver, it can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: If the vehicle unexpectedly pulls to one side during an evasive maneuver, it can increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your GLE 350 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the software, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V071?
Recall 21V071 covers 41,838 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450.
NHTSA lists 41,838 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | GLE 350 |
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | GLE 450 |
What is the fix for the GLE 350 stability control software recall?
Yes. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESP software, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 21V071 announced?
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V071 to NHTSA on February 12, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 12, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V071000. |
This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your GLE 350 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my GLE 350 is part of recall 21V071?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V071 is open on your GLE 350, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V071000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should GLE 350 owners do about recall 21V071?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V071000 applies to your GLE 350.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are GLE 350 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the driver assistance.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the driver assistance have been filed since recall 21V071 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 63 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the driver assistance. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350: 48 complaints in total, 1 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: 15 complaints in total, 1 about the driver assistance
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The vehicle has repeatedly experienced a sudden loss of acceleration, entering a reduced-power state while driving. Most recently, this occurred less than one week after I was advised that the issue had been fully resolved through a relay replacement.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11718456, filed February 17, 2026
Driving down a multi-lane highway at 70 mph, a 48V battery malfunction warning goes off as well as the yellow check engine light. A few seconds later a ‘coolant’ error alert pops up. SUV loses acceleration with power dropping from 70 mph to 55 mph to 35 mph.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11536714, filed August 5, 2023
Can recall 21V071 make my GLE 350 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this software recall means their GLE 350 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
When a driver assistance feature on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 brakes for no reason or stops working, it affects both safety and value. Software fixes do not always hold, which is why repeat repair records matter.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the GLE 350 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your GLE 350 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V071
Is the 21V071000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my GLE 350 is part of recall 21V071000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V071000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Mercedes-Benz. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.