Recall 19V587 affects 18,392 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, GLE 450, and GLS 450 SUVs for misinstalled AC drain hoses. Free repair at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 18,392 2020 GLE 350, GLE 450, and GLS 450 SUVs under recall 19V587 because the air conditioner drain hoses can be installed incorrectly and let water pool in the driver and passenger foot wells. The water can corrode wiring and raise the risk of a fire, and a Mercedes-Benz dealer will repair the drain hoses free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air conditioning system in these Mercedes-Benz SUVs uses drain hoses to carry condensation away from the evaporator and out under the vehicle. When the A/C runs, water collects on the cold evaporator coil, drips into a pan, and exits through these hoses. The connection has to stay tight so the water leaves the vehicle instead of pooling inside it.
On the affected GLE 350, GLE 450, and GLS 450, an assembly-line deviation left the drain hoses incorrectly installed. The connection is not fully sealed, so condensation that should run out under the SUV drains into the passenger compartment instead. Over time, water collects in the front footwells and soaks into the carpet and underlying insulation.
The warning signs are wet carpets in the front footwells and windows that fog up from the trapped moisture. Both point to water entering the cabin through the loose drain hose connection.
Who's affected?
Covers three 2020 Mercedes-Benz SUV variants (GLE 350, GLE 450, GLS 450), all built in the same eleven-month window and all using the same air-conditioning component.
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 | Air conditioner |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | Air conditioner |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 | Air conditioner |
| Units affected | 18,392 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Water pooling in the front footwells can corrode electrical components and cause short circuits, which raises the risk of a fire. The same water intrusion can disable the eCall emergency feature, prevent the vehicle from unlocking or starting, and trigger limp-home mode while driving, all of which raise the risk of a crash or injury. Wet carpets or fogged windows are early signs to call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, GLE 450, or GLS 450 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the air-conditioner drain-hose inspection and correction that prevents water from draining into the passenger compartment.
- Reference recall number 19V587 (Mercedes-Benz recall 2019080005) when you call the dealer or customer service.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with any questions about the repair or your owner notification.
- Bring the owner notification letter to your dealer appointment if Mercedes-Benz has mailed one to you.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the air conditioner drain hoses and corrects any that were installed incorrectly, so water drains away from the vehicle instead of into the passenger compartment. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing new-vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since all involved vehicles remain under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork for water intrusion or drain-hose work. To start the process, call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 or contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 12, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| September 6, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 8, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V587?
Recall 19V587 covers 18,392 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, GLE 450, and GLS 450 SUVs with air conditioner drain hoses that were incorrectly installed. Water can drain into the passenger compartment, leading to corrosion and electrical short circuits that increase the risk of fire. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and correct the drain hoses for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, GLE 450, or GLS 450 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V587. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the drain hose inspection and repair. Reference recall number 19V587 when you call. You can also reach Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and correct the air conditioner drain hoses free of charge, including parts and labor, regardless of where the vehicle was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk?
Water draining into the foot wells can corrode and short-circuit nearby electrical components, which increases the risk of fire. The emergency call (eCall) feature can also stop working, the vehicle can fail to unlock or start, and the engine can enter limp-home mode while driving, raising the risk of a crash or injury.
What if I already paid to dry out my Mercedes-Benz or repair related water damage?
Mercedes-Benz's standard reimbursement plan covers documented prior expenses tied to this defect. Bring your repair receipts to a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer service desk, or call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 to start the reimbursement process. Reference recall number 19V587 when you call.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V587000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V587 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V587000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →