2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Drivetrain Software Recall (24V118)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · 105,071 vehicles · Reported February 16, 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is recalling 105,071 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450; 2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 vehicles. The transmission may not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 24V118 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V118000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 16, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450; 2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 |
| Units affected | 105,071 |
| Component | Power Train > Automatic Transmission > Control Module > Software |
| Safety risk | An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 in recall 24V118?
The transmission may not fully downshift in certain conditions, causing the engine to stall.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 GLE 450 with recall 24V118?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An engine stall increases 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 software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 24V118?
Recall 24V118 covers 105,071 vehicles: 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450; 2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450.
NHTSA lists 105,071 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Mercedes-Benz | GLE 450 |
| 2022-2023 | Mercedes-Benz | GLS 450 4MATIC |
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | GLS450 |
What is the fix for the GLE 450 drivetrain software recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the transmission control unit software, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 24V118 announced?
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 24V118 to NHTSA on February 16, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 29, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2024 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V118000. |
| March 29, 2024 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 31 months ago. If your GLE 450 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my GLE 450 is part of recall 24V118?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V118 is open on your GLE 450, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 24V118000 is open on your GLE 450, it will be listed there. 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 GLE 450 owners do about recall 24V118?
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 24V118000 applies to your GLE 450.
- Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- 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.
- Write down when symptoms involving the software happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- 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 GLE 450 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 10 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 24V118 was reported on February 16, 2024, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after February 16, 2024, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 88 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 10 of them involve the transmission. 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 GLS450: 30 complaints in total, 1 about the transmission
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: 15 complaints in total, 2 about the transmission
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC: 15 complaints in total, 3 about the transmission
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: 14 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: 7 complaints in total, 4 about the transmission
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC: 7 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
On two separate occasions recently, the vehicle suddenly lost all power without warning and stopped. Luckily, these incidents did not occur while driving in high speed traffic, and the car restarted once shut off. When it lost power, all warning lights came on at once.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11442064, filed November 30, 2021
Was driving down a 2 lane road at about 55 MPH, and a warning light message appeared on the dash and said "battery no longer charging" then another message that said "coolant overheating vehicle shutting down" appeared. And the car would no longer accelerate.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11459441, filed April 3, 2022
While backing out of steep driveway, the car computer screen blinked saying "updating" then screen went blank, lost power, I could not brake. We have a row of trees at the back of our driveway that stopped the car ( with damage) or else we would have rolled into our neighbors basement all.
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11609145, filed August 17, 2024
Can recall 24V118 make my GLE 450 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)).
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 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 450 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.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
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 450 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 24V118
Did the recall 24V118 fix work?
Since recall 24V118 was reported on February 16, 2024, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed March 29, 2024.
Is the 24V118000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my GLE 450 is part of recall 24V118000?
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.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
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 24V118000 (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.