2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 Seat Recall (21V818)

Recall 21V818 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 in recall 21V818?

The seats may have been assembled incorrectly.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLS450, GLS580, GLE350, GLE450, AMG C63, and 2021 AMG GLE53 vehicles. The seats may have been assembled incorrectly.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 AMG GLE53 with recall 21V818?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Incorrectly assembled seats may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Incorrectly assembled seats may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your AMG GLE53 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the seats, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V818?

Recall 21V818 covers 27 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53.

NHTSA lists 27 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the AMG GLE53 seat recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and repair the seats, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and repair the seats, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021110010.

When was recall 21V818 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V818 to NHTSA on October 18, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 8, 2021.

This recall was filed 60 months ago. If your AMG GLE53 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my AMG GLE53 is part of recall 21V818?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V818 is open on your AMG GLE53, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V818000 is open on your AMG GLE53, it will be listed there, along with Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021110010. You can also ask any Mercedes-Benz dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.

What should AMG GLE53 owners do about recall 21V818?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V818000 applies to your AMG GLE53.
2. 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.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the seats happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are AMG GLE53 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the body, doors and seats.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 21V818 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 16 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the body, doors and seats. 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 AMG GLE53: 16 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats

Can recall 21V818 make my AMG GLE53 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.

Recall 21V818000 does not automatically make your AMG GLE53 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

Door latch, seat and body structure defects can affect safety in a crash and everyday use. If the recall repair does not solve the problem, the repeat visit is part of your record.

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 AMG GLE53 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V818