Recall 21V102 affects 36 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 vehicles for a passenger air bag ground connection defect. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 36 2021 Gla 250 vehicles because the front passenger air bag ground connection was not mounted properly. The defect can trigger unintended air bag deployment, which increases injury risk for the front passenger and crash risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the connection free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger air bag in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 is part of the frontal air bag system. Its ground connection gives the air bag circuit a proper electrical path, so the control system can manage the passenger air bag as designed during normal driving and during a crash.
On affected vehicles, that ground connection was not bolted in the intended way during assembly. A loose or incorrect ground connection changes how the air bag circuit is electrically grounded. Mercedes-Benz traced the issue to an assembly process deviation and limited it to vehicles built in the affected production group. With the ground path out of specification, the passenger air bag can deploy when it should not.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner is not expected to see a warning message, hear a noise, or feel a change in the vehicle before an inadvertent passenger air bag deployment.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 36 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unintended passenger air bag deployment can injure the front passenger and raise the chance of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the inspection soon and avoid carrying a front passenger until the dealer checks the ground connection. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag ground-connection inspection and correction that fixes the risk of unintended deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V102 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about the repair or appointment timing.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the ground connection for the front passenger air bag and corrects the mounting if it is not secure. The inspection and any needed correction are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remained under warranty and were not previously subject to this condition. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| February 22, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| March 1, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 26, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 26, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 26, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V102?
Recall 21V102 covers 36 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 vehicles with a front passenger air bag ground connection that was not mounted properly. An improper connection can cause unintended deployment. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the connection and correct it for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V102. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the passenger air bag ground connection inspection. Reference recall number 21V102 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 21V102, Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the passenger air bag ground connection and correct it free of charge if the inspection shows it is needed.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is unintended front passenger air bag deployment. Mercedes-Benz says the improperly mounted ground connection can increase injury risk for the front passenger and increase crash risk. The official remedy is a dealer inspection and correction of the ground connection for free.
What if I bought this Gla 250 used?
The recall follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 is included. If it is, a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer must complete the recall repair for free, even if you never received the original notice.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V102000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V102 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V102000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 →