Recall 20V329 affects 38 2020 Mercedes-Benz SUVs, including Gle 450, Gls 450, and Gls 580, for leaking struts and shocks. Free dealer repair.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 38 2020 Gle 450, Gls 450, and Gls 580 vehicles because the front struts and rear shock absorbers can leak and fail early. That wear can affect handling and control and increase crash risk, so Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front struts and rear shock absorbers on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450, Gls 450, and Gls 580 are part of the suspension. They control up-and-down body movement after bumps and help keep the tires settled on the road during braking, turning, and loaded driving. Inside each damper, a piston moves through fluid, and seals keep that fluid in the working chamber.
In NHTSA campaign 20V329, the concern is the piston seal used in a batch of dampers for the optional suspension system. Mercedes-Benz found that those seals did not meet the durability specification. As the seal wears, the damper loses its ability to control motion, so the shock absorber can wear out early. If that wear goes unnoticed while the SUV is carrying maximum payload and quickly entering a turn, the vehicle can tip.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner does not get an advance alert from the vehicle before the seal problem develops.
Who's affected?
Covers the Gle 450, Gls 450, and Gls 580, with front and rear suspension components listed for each model.
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | front suspension |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 | rear suspension |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 | front suspension |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 580 | rear suspension |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 580 | front suspension |
| Units affected | 38 |
| 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?
Premature wear in the front struts and rear shock absorbers affects handling and vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no advance warning before the failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450, Gls 450, or Gls 580 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front-strut and rear-shock replacement that addresses the handling and control risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V329 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2020090001 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete; avoid hard cornering, slow down over rough roads, and leave extra following distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the front strut assemblies and rear shock absorbers covered by recall 20V329. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The work addresses leaks at the piston assembly seals that can cause the struts or shock absorbers to fail early. Mercedes-Benz used its general reimbursement plan for this recall, so documented suspension repairs paid before the recall notice are handled through that plan. Bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 5, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| June 12, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 4, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 4, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 20, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V329?
Recall 20V329 covers 38 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450, Gls 450, and Gls 580 vehicles with front strut and rear shock absorber sealing that can leak and fail early. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the front strut assemblies and rear shock absorbers for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450, Gls 450, or Gls 580 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V329. If it is, call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule replacement of the front strut assemblies and rear shock absorbers. Reference recall number 20V329000 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2020090001 when you call.
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 front strut assemblies and rear shock absorbers free of charge under this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced handling and vehicle control. If the front struts or rear shock absorbers wear early because the piston assembly sealing leaks, the vehicle can become harder to control and crash risk increases. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair if included.
When did the Mercedes-Benz recall repair begin?
The recall repair began October 20, 2020. That means the dealer remedy is available for included vehicles. A franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer can replace the front strut assemblies and rear shock absorbers free of charge, and Mercedes-Benz customer service is available at 1-800-367-6372.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V329000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V329 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V329000 |
Source documents
-
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 →