2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 Defroster Recall (23V177)

Recall 23V177 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 in recall 23V177?

The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.

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.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 GLS450 with recall 23V177?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the defroster and defogger and hvac system.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V177?

Recall 23V177 covers 61,450 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS580; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600.

NHTSA lists 61,450 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the GLS450 defroster recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge.

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.

Manufacturer recall number: 2023030014 & 15.

When was recall 23V177 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 23V177 to NHTSA on March 17, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 28, 2023.

This recall was filed 43 months ago. If your GLS450 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my GLS450 is part of recall 23V177?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V177 is open on your GLS450, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 GLS450 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should GLS450 owners do about recall 23V177?

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 23V177000 applies to your GLS450.
2. Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
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 defroster and defogger and hvac system 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 problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are GLS450 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the lighting and visibility.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 23V177 was reported (1) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 118 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the lighting and visibility. 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 lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 30 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53: 16 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: 15 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS580: 5 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63: 2 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63: 2 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

2021 MB GLE 450 bought in April 2021, now approximately 8000 miles with two separate events of not starting. Cannot jump. Once 48V battery system updated (3 months ago), required tow to dealer. Now again at dealer with the same issue and recommended for battery change (last time was software update).

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 owner, OR, NHTSA complaint 11461858, filed April 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was condensation leaking from a hole near the trunk release button onto the pedal and the floor of the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11670708, filed July 2, 2025

Can recall 23V177 make my GLS450 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.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.

This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 19V587000, 21V288000.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the GLS450 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V177