Recall 21V818 covers 27 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with incorrectly assembled seats that reduce crash restraint. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 27 2020-2021 Gle 450, Gle 350, AMG GLE53, AMG C63, Gls 580, and Gls 450 vehicles because the seats were assembled incorrectly. In a crash, the seat assembly can fail to properly restrain an occupant and raise injury risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the seats free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The seats in these 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles are more than cushions and trim. The seat frame, cushion, headrest, headrest guides, and child-seat cover fastening all work together to hold an occupant in the designed position and support the head and body during normal driving and a crash.
On affected Gle 450, Gle 350, AMG GLE53, AMG C63, Gls 580, and Gls 450 vehicles, Mercedes-Benz found a production deviation in seat assembly. The company was unable to confirm that every required seat part was installed correctly on every recalled vehicle. That means a headrest, guide, cushion part, or related seat component can be different from the approved build specification.
The issue is not something an owner can feel during ordinary driving. The owner will not get an advance warning from the seat itself. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 Mercedes-Benz models across the 2020 and 2021 model years, with seat assembly parts listed for each included model.
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 580 | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 27 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrectly assembled seats can fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the restraint problem matters in a crash. Schedule the seat inspection and any needed 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 450, Gle 350, AMG GLE53, AMG C63, Gls 580, or Gls 450 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free seat inspection and repair that fixes incorrectly assembled seats.
- Bring the owner notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V818 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2021110010 when you call.
- Ask the dealer for guidance before the appointment if you are concerned about seat restraint performance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the seat assemblies covered by the recall and repairs the seats as necessary. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Mercedes-Benz used its general reimbursement plan for this campaign, so documented out-of-pocket repairs tied to the same seat condition can be submitted for review. Bring receipts and prior repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact Mercedes-Benz customer service if the dealer needs claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 18, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 22, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| October 22, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 8, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 17, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 17, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V818?
Recall 21V818 covers 27 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450, Gle 350, AMG GLE53, AMG C63, Gls 580, and Gls 450 vehicles with seats listed for incorrect assembly. Incorrectly assembled seats can fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the seats for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450, Gle 350, AMG GLE53, AMG C63, Gls 580, or Gls 450 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V818. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the seat inspection and repair. Reference recall 21V818 or MBUSA recall 2021110010 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will inspect and repair the affected seats free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced occupant restraint during a crash. Mercedes-Benz reported that incorrectly assembled seats can fail to properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and seat repair.
When did Mercedes-Benz notify owners?
Mercedes-Benz mailed owner notification letters on December 8, 2021. If you bought the vehicle used or never received the letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V818000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V818 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V818000 |
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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →