2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class problems and recalls

46% of owner complaints on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class related to the Electrical System (17 of 37).

37
Complaints
0
Recalls
2
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
3
Injuries
76.6
Severity index

Severity index 76.6 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 76.6p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 17 complaints (45.9%)17 46%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 8 complaints (21.6%)8 22%EngineEngine: 5 complaints (13.5%)5 14%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 3 complaints (8.1%)3 8%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 3 complaints (8.1%)3 8%Fuel SystemFuel System: 2 complaints (5.4%)2 5%GasolineGasoline: 2 complaints (5.4%)2 5%SeatsSeats: 2 complaints (5.4%)2 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1745.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER821.6%
ENGINE513.5%
LANE DEPARTURE38.1%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE38.1%
FUEL SYSTEM25.4%
GASOLINE25.4%
SEATS25.4%

Complaints filed per year

06112021: 42022: 112023: 82024: 82025: 42026: 2 (partial year)21221123242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20214
202211
20238
20248
20254
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2021 to 2022 (20 against 15).

Other Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 6 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.