Recall 21V909 affects 17 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 and Gle 450 SUVs for loose electric-heater ground bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 17 2021 AMG GLE53 and Gle 450 vehicles because the passenger-side footwell electric heater ground connection bolts were not properly tightened. Loose ground connection bolts can overheat the wiring and increase the risk of a fire; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the connection free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The additional heater in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 and Gle 450 is an electric heater located under the passenger-side footwell. It helps provide cabin heat, and its ground connection gives the heater circuit a controlled path back to the vehicle electrical system. That ground connection is held by bolts that need the specified torque to stay secure.
On affected vehicles, a production-process deviation left the heater ground bolts tightened below Mercedes-Benz specifications. An under-tightened ground bolt leaves the electrical connection less secure than designed. That weak connection can keep the heater circuit from being grounded correctly, which is the defect the dealer checks and corrects.
The driver will not receive a warning because of the way this failure occurs. There is no warning sign before failure, so the VIN decides whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Covers the AMG GLE53 and Gle 450 variants, both tied to the additional-heater wiring.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | wiring |
| Units affected | 17 |
| 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?
Loose ground connection bolts on the electric heater can overheat the wiring and increase the risk of a fire. The driver does not receive a warning before this failure, so treat this as a VIN-specific safety issue and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 or Gle 450 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free electric-heater ground-connection check and repair for the loose passenger-footwell bolts.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it, or reference recall number 21V909 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about scheduling or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician checks the electric heater ground connection in the passenger-side footwell and repairs the connection as needed. The recall covers parts and labor, and the repair is available at Mercedes-Benz dealers. 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. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 19, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 29, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| January 7, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 18, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 18, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V909?
Recall 21V909 covers 17 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 and Gle 450 vehicles with improperly tightened electric-heater ground connection bolts in the passenger-side footwell. Loose bolts can overheat wiring and increase fire risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the ground connection and repair it for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 or 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V909. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the electric-heater ground connection inspection and repair. Reference recall number 21V909 when you call. Owner letters were mailed January 7, 2022.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will check the electric-heater ground connection and repair it as necessary free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The electric-heater ground connection bolts in the passenger-side footwell can be loose, which can overheat the wiring and increase fire risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and repair.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received the January 7, 2022 owner letter, check your VIN and give recall number 21V909 to a Mercedes-Benz dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V909000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V909 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V909000 |
Source documents
-
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 →