Recall 20V172 covers 224 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, and Gls 450 SUVs with defective rear crossmember welds. Free dealer repair.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 224 2020 Gle 350, Gle 450, and Gls 450 SUVs because insufficient welds in the rear crossmember can crack while towing. If the crossmember detaches, it can become a road hazard and increase crash risk; the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear crossmember on these 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, and Gls 450 SUVs is a structural frame piece at the back of the vehicle. It helps carry rear loads and takes stress when towing equipment pulls against the rear of the body. The crossmember depends on its welds, the joined metal points, to hold that force.
On affected SUVs, a supplier production deviation left the welds on a certain batch of rear crossmembers below Mercedes-Benz tensile strength specifications. Tensile strength is the amount of pulling force the part is built to withstand. During towing, cracks can form in the under-strength weld area. If the cracks grow far enough, the rear crossmember can separate from the vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the part fails through cracking under load, the owner will not receive an advance warning before the crossmember lets go.
Who's affected?
Spans the Gle 350, Gle 450, and Gls 450 in the same model year, all tied to the body or structural component.
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | body or structural component |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 224 |
| 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.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 20V172 ties this defect to crash risk: if the rear crossmember detaches, it can become a road hazard. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair as soon as the dealer can complete it. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
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.
- Wait for Mercedes-Benz repair instructions if your dealer says the final remedy is not open for your VIN.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask about the free rear-crossmember replacement that addresses the cracked crossmember risk during towing.
- Reference recall number 20V172 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2020060013 when you call.
- Avoid towing until the repair is complete because a detached rear crossmember can become a road hazard.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician will replace the rear crossmember once the final repair is available. The recall repair will be free, with parts and labor covered by Mercedes-Benz. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 20, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 27, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 19, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 19, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 17, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V172?
Recall 20V172 covers 224 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, and Gls 450 vehicles with rear crossmember welds that were not sufficient. Cracks can form during towing, and the crossmember can detach from the vehicle.
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 20V172. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall number 20V172 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2020060013. The dealer replaces the rear crossmember for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the rear crossmember free of charge, including parts and labor, for vehicles included in recall 20V172.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the rear crossmember can detach and become a road hazard, increasing crash risk. The concern is tied to towing loads that can crack the insufficient welds. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, or Gls 450 is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V172000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V172 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V172000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →