Recall 20V671 affects 55,326 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vehicles because the middle seat belt buckle can drop out of reach. Free repair at franchised Mercedes-Benz dealers.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 55,326 2020-2021 Gle 350, Gle 450, AMG GLE53, Gle 580, and AMG GLE63 vehicles because the middle seat belt buckle can be pushed below the rear seat cushion during buckling. If the buckle cannot be retrieved, it cannot restrain an occupant in a crash, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The second row middle seat belt in affected 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, Gle 580, AMG GLE53, and AMG GLE63 vehicles uses a double buckle. That buckle is the latch point the middle passenger clicks the belt into, so it has to stay reachable above the seat cushion every time the belt is used.
In recall 20V671, the problem is the shape of the buckle and the seat cushion gap. While the middle passenger is buckling the belt, the double buckle can be pushed down below the cushion. If it drops into that gap and cannot be pulled back up, the latch is unusable. A middle rear passenger then does not have a working belt latch to restrain them.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue shows up when someone tries to buckle the middle rear belt and the latch is already below the cushion, or when the latch is pushed down during buckling.
Who's affected?
Covers five GLE variants across the 2020 and 2021 model years, all tied to the second row seat double buckle.
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 | seat belt |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 580 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 55,326 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 9 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?
If the middle seat belt buckle is not secured, an occupant using that belt can be unrestrained in a crash, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign before the failure. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the buckle repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, AMG GLE53, Gle 580, or AMG GLE63 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free middle seat belt buckle repair that keeps the rear center buckle accessible and usable.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V671 when you call.
- Avoid using the rear center seating position until the dealer secures the buckle and confirms the latch works.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about recall number 20V671 or Mercedes-Benz recall 2020110005.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician secures the middle seat belt buckle so it does not drop into the gap below the seat cushion when an occupant buckles the belt. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since the involved vehicles remain under warranty. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 30, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 6, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 6, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 18, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 29, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V671?
Recall 20V671 covers 55,326 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, Gle 580, AMG GLE53, and AMG GLE63 vehicles with 5 passenger seating. The middle rear seat belt buckle can be pushed below the seat cushion, leaving that latch inoperable. Mercedes-Benz dealers secure the buckle for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350, Gle 450, AMG GLE53, Gle 580, or AMG GLE63 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V671. If it is included, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the middle rear seat belt buckle repair. Reference recall number 20V671 and Mercedes-Benz recall number 2020110005 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will secure the middle rear seat belt buckle free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V671?
The safety risk is an unrestrained middle rear occupant during a crash. If the buckle is pushed below the seat cushion and cannot be retrieved, that seat belt latch is inoperable and cannot restrain the passenger. Mercedes-Benz dealers fix the buckle position for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V671000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V671 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V671000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →