Recall 23V177 covers 61,450 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS vehicles for misinstalled air conditioner drain hoses. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 61,450 2020-2021 GLE and GLS vehicles, including the Gle 350 and GLS450, because incorrectly installed air conditioner drain hoses can send water into the passenger compartment. Water in the foot wells can corrode electrical parts or cause short circuits, disable eCall, keep doors from unlocking, or affect engine operation, which increases fire, injury, and crash risks; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The A/C drain hose is a small tube in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system. Its job is to carry condensation from the air conditioner case out of the vehicle, so water drips safely underneath instead of staying inside the cabin.
On affected 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz SUVs, that hose was incorrectly installed. When the air conditioner creates condensation, the hose does not route the water out the way it should. Water drains into the passenger compartment instead, where it ends up around the floor area, trim, or carpet.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once the problem shows up, an owner can notice wet carpeting, water on the floor, a damp smell, or extra interior moisture after using the air conditioner.
Who's affected?
GLE and GLS family SUVs from the 2020 and 2021 model years share the same A/C drain hose defect.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 | visibility component |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 580 | visibility component |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600 | visibility component |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 | visibility component |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 | visibility component |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS580 | visibility component |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 | visibility component |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | visibility component |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 | visibility component |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 580 | visibility component |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 | visibility component |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 450 | visibility component |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Gle 350 | visibility component |
| Units affected | 61,450 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Water intrusion into the foot wells can corrode electrical components or short circuit them, increasing fire risk. The eCall feature can be disabled, doors can fail to unlock, and the engine can fail to start or enter limp-home mode, increasing injury or crash risk. Schedule the repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63, Gle 580, Maybach GLS600, AMG GLE53, AMG GLS63, GLS580, GLS450, Gle 450, Gle 350, Gls 580, or Gls 450 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask whether the free air conditioner drain-hose inspection and reinstallation is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 23V177 when you call the dealer.
- Bring the owner letter if Mercedes-Benz mailed one to you.
- Avoid ignoring water in the foot wells, electrical problems, eCall issues, doors that do not unlock, no-start behavior, or limp-home mode until the drain hoses are inspected.
What happens at the repair
Once Mercedes-Benz opens the dealer repair, a Mercedes-Benz technician will inspect the air conditioner drain hoses and reinstall any hose that was fitted incorrectly. The work is meant to route condensation out of the vehicle instead of into the passenger compartment. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm whether recall 23V177 is open for your VIN before you plan the visit.
Timeline
| March 17, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 28, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V177?
Recall 23V177 covers 61,450 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS SUVs with air conditioner drain hoses that were installed incorrectly. Water can drain into the passenger compartment, damage electrical components, disable eCall or door unlocking, prevent starting, trigger limp-home mode, and increase fire, injury, or crash risk.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE or GLS is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific SUV is included in recall 23V177. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the air conditioner drain hose inspection and reinstallation. Reference recall number 23V177 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and reinstall the air conditioner drain hoses as needed free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
Is it safe to drive a Mercedes-Benz affected by recall 23V177?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is still serious because water intrusion can damage electrical components, increase fire risk, disable eCall or door unlocking, stop the engine from starting, or put the vehicle into limp-home mode. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
When were owners notified about recall 23V177?
Mercedes-Benz mailed owner notification letters on April 28, 2023. If you bought the SUV used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then call a Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 23V177.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V177000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V177 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V177000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →