2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 Electrical Problems

On [XXX], I was heading home from work traveling [XXX] on [XXX] through Atlanta's usual heavy traffic. I smelled smoke inside my car and saw fire flames coming from under my passenger seat. My initial reaction was to try to put the fire out with my hat without burning myself. Also, I had to try to navigate across multiple lanes of traffic without hitting anyone and avoiding anyone hitting me. Safely, i reached the side of the interstate and exited the vehicle. As I stood from afar watching my vehicle burn; the reality sat it that a few minutes earlier that could have been me trapped burning inside, injured or even death because something had failed in my vehicle. Later, when I finally arrived home, I started researching on the internet to see if anyone else had experienced problems with their MB 450 GLS catching fire. Surprisingly, I found that recalls had been issued in April 2022 and March 2024 for a possible fire risk from a 48volt loose ground wire issue under the passenger seat. At that time supposedly there were no reported injuries or crashes related to this issue until now. If I am the first to witness this issue, then so be it because I saw the fire burning from inside under my passenger seat before it FULLY torched my vehicle I reported this issue first to Progressive Insurance and Mercedes-Benz Corporate. Progressive has provided my transportation according to policy for my first 30 days. As I approached the end of my rental period, I spoke with MB Corporate to see if there was anything that they could do as far as providing me transportation. I was told that there was nothing that they could do because they were not a dealership with cars to loan. The joint vehicle fire investigation was schelduled for 29 April 2025. On 25 April 2025, Progressive informed me that MB Corporate had moved the fire investigation date to 29 May 2025. NOW, what am I suppose to do? It has been almost two months that I have been without a vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMAT

NHTSA ID

11661377

Incident

Mar 27, 2025

System malfunctioned detail: 48v battery malfunction, 12v battery malfunction. Safety concern: I was driving on [XXX] , the battery malfunction warning suddenly pop up, and I couldn't accelerate my car beyond 30 MPH, my whole family were on the car during that time. it's life threatening issue needs to be addressed. Luckily we managed to pull over to a safe border way. It's first time I encountered this issue, but on [XXX] , seems like many people encountered it. Dealer is inspecting the issue currently. orange warning msg pop up first says "48v battery malfunction", few minutes later become red warning msg, while I pulled my car to the sideway, it became red "12v battery malfunction". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11634240

Incident

Jan 4, 2025

Vehicle has just over 31k miles. ON multiple occasions, the vehicle randomly shuts off and displays a 48 volt battery error on the screen followed by a check engine light. This has happened in the middle of a busy intersection and at 75mph on the interstate. Each time it does this, I have taken it to a Mercedes dealer for repair/troubleshooting. THey perform the Mercedes required steps to repair the known issue and each time the issue persists. The car has been at a dealership for almost a combined 30 days now with no end in sight. I do not feel safe knowing that Mercedes cant seem to solve the problem and instead puts me back on the road knowing the car is not right and risks injury to my family as the issue has happened at low speed and high speed resulting in extremely dangerous situations for my family. I have 2 open PTSS cases with Mercedes USA (246121906 and 246113294). Researching this issue has revealed this is a known issue with their "mild hybrid" SUVS and many consumers have the same or similar experience to mine.

NHTSA ID

11624928

Incident

Oct 15, 2024

1. Unknown, smoke started coming from under the passenger side seat, car is a complete loss. 2. Smoke damaged my lungs, there was a large amount of exploding glass, and it could have led to a structure fire. 3. Not applicable 4. In process, but it was recalled for this issue 5. No

NHTSA ID

11610699

Incident

Aug 19, 2024

Cluster Information Display Black out on and off. Cannot see speedometer and headup display also turns off. Problem occured 5/13/22, 6/17/22, and 6/13/23. Problem is still not fixed after going to mechanic 3 times. 7/16/24 went in to mechanic again for the same problem but mechanic concluded that there are no further solution possible to fix this problem. When the problem occurs, the cluster information display is blacked out for about 3 to 4 hours, and only fixed when 1 or 2 days are fixed. It is dangerous to drive without the cluster display which includes speedometer, remaining gas, engine warning light, and many more important information that is needed and required to drive safely without crash.

NHTSA ID

11602715

Incident

Jul 16, 2024

We accepted delivery of our brand new vehicle in May 2021 from the dealer. In July 2021, the vehicle became completely disabled due to failure of the 48 volt battery. In October 2021, the dealer replaced 48 volt battery failed again causing the vehicle to become completely disabled. In December 2023, our 3rd replacement 48 volt battery failed. Each time the vehicle is out of service for a week or longer. The dealer is not providing any information about what may be causing the failures. Vehicle has become completely unreliable and dangerous. Mercedes Benz USA has offered us a 200 service credit and 3,000 off a new vehicle and advised they are not aware of any defects.

NHTSA ID

11561635

Incident

Dec 8, 2023

Repeated failures of 48 volt battery system has shut vehicle totally off while under highspeed and in traffic

NHTSA ID

11500122

Incident

Jan 22, 2022

Incident 1: May 2022 Vehicle was sitting in driveway overnight and would not start in the morning. Had a 48V battery warning on. Towed to dealership. Said it was a delay software update. Incident 2: August 2022 Was driving 35mpg down the road where a warning sign comes up. Then shortly after the car slows down to around 15mph and would not speed up anymore. Towed to dealership. Dealership did not find anything "wrong" with vehicle Incident 3: November 2022 Car was parked in parking lot for 2 hours. When trying to start car, there was an error message saying stop vehicle. Towed to dealership. Dealership stating they might exchange a new 48V battery.

NHTSA ID

11492640

Incident

Nov 5, 2022

Car turned on by itself, then 2 days later would not start. 48v battery system needed software update

NHTSA ID

11490035

Incident

May 13, 2022

Car shut off while driving. Would not restart. 48 volt battery failure, needed software update

NHTSA ID

11490034

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Car would not start, 48 volt system failure

NHTSA ID

11490033

Incident

Oct 14, 2022

Vehicle would not start on 3 separate occasions. The instrument panel indicated it was the 48v battery. Had it towed to Mercedes dealership to have 48v battery replaced.

NHTSA ID

11485772

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

2021 MERCEDES BENZ GLS450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO48-VOLT BATTERY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HAS FAILED TWICE, A YEAR APART. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED "48-VOLT BATTERY FAILURE" AND "CHECK ENGINE". THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER HAD DETERMINED A FIX FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11469328

Incident

Jun 15, 2022

2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 Purch: Nov 26, 2022 UAG Fairfield Auto Group CM, LLC,DBA MERCEDES BENZ OF FAIRFIELD Odometer Date of Purchase 10,084 Odometer Currently *13,700 (onboard notification) TIMELINE: Total vehicle system fails while driving on highway lost engine, steering, power suddenly - stranded. November 27, 2021 Loud interference noise coming from MBUX screen, faulty graphics flashing, app not functioning. Extreme Loud “blower” noise coming from heater. Vehicle start would not work as the vehicle did not recognize key was in vehicle even though it was in the vehicle. Informed MB Fairfield. Vinnie said that the noises were “normal” . We knew this was incorrect. December 15, 2021 Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems December 18, 2021 Car would not start/did not recognize key in a parking lot. Went into a local business for help, the owner of the shop coincidentally recently bought the same model and reported similar issues. Shop owner informed us that the “blower” noise coming from our HVC was definitely NOT normal. Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems above. December 20, 2021 Car would not start/did not recognize key - blower issue. Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems and received no help other than the dealership said not an issue and was “normal” "the app has glitches that they can’t “fix”. December 23, 2022 Car would not start - notified MB Fairfield of recurring problems above. He reluctant to admit problem with vehicle, rather blamed it on the app or software. Regardless of root cause=vehicle was faulty and was not functioning safely and at times completely inoperable. January 4, 2022 Catastrophic failure, 5PM in dark while in fast lane on I95, vehicle MBUX interface made loud noise, flashing illegible graphic. Car in shop March 11, 22 through April 29, 22. May 1 failed at 60MPH on highway- stranded. 2 two trucks confirmed UNSAFE TO DRIVE REFUSED TOW. HAS BEEN AT DEALER 90 DAYS PLUS!

NHTSA ID

11465737

Incident

Jan 4, 2022

Mileage

11,000 mi