Recall 17V816 affects 8,700 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE, GLS, S, and Mercedes-Maybach vehicles for a rear-door-lock defect. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 8,700 2017-2018 vehicles, including S63, GLE350, and GLS450 models, under recall 17V816 because the driver-side rear passenger door can show locked when it is not. A door that appears locked can open unintentionally and increase injury risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the door lock free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The door latch on the rear passenger door on the driver side is the lock-and-catch assembly that holds the door closed and reports whether the door is locked. On the affected Mercedes-Benz SUVs and sedans, that latch is supposed to secure the door and give the driver a correct locked-door indication.
The problem starts inside the latch assembly. Some door locks were built outside the intended riveting specification at the supplier plant. A rivet is a permanent fastener that holds parts of the lock together. If the lock was not riveted correctly, the latch can show a locked status even when the door has not fully locked as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. The clearest clue is after the fact: the rear driver-side passenger door indicates that it is locked, but the latch has not actually completed the lock.
Who's affected?
Spans S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, GLE, and GLS nameplates across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to the door latch.
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S63 | Latch |
|---|---|
| 2017 Mercedes-Maybach S600 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Maybach S550 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S63 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE63S | Latch |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gls 550 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE550E | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS550 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S600 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550E | Latch |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 | Latch |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 | Latch |
| Units affected | 8,700 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A left rear door that appears locked can still open unintentionally, increasing injury risk for anyone using or riding near that door. Treat any door that does not stay latched or locked as a reason to stop using that seating position and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free rear driver-side passenger door lock inspection.
- Ask the dealer to replace the door lock as needed so the door no longer appears locked when it is not locked.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, and reference recall number 17V816 when you call.
- Keep rear passengers from relying on the driver-side rear door lock indicator until the dealer completes the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the left rear door lock and replaces the lock if the inspection shows it is needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by Mercedes-Benz. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how that warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 18, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 23, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 23, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 2, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 9, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V816?
Recall 17V816 covers 8,700 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with a left rear door lock issue. The driver-side rear passenger door can show as locked when it is not locked, which can allow the door to open unintentionally and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V816. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the left rear door lock inspection. The dealer will replace the lock as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the left rear door lock and replace it as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unlocked rear passenger door that appears locked. If the door opens unintentionally, an occupant faces increased injury risk. Until the repair is complete, confirm the rear door is fully closed and locked before driving.
When did this recall repair begin?
Mercedes-Benz expected the recall to begin in January 2018, and the remedy is now available. A franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer can inspect the left rear door lock and replace it as needed at no charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V816000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-496-3691 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V816 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V816000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →