Mercedes is issuing a recall for 116,020 SUVs spanning nine different model lines, all due to a common issue: a potentially insecure 48-volt ground strap. In certain instances, this could pose a fire hazard. The automaker will have owners report to dealers for a fix that includes checking the connection and correcting it.
In June of 2022, Mercedes kicked off an investigation into its 167 platform after several customer complaints. It worked to get to the bottom of one common issue, namely why some of these vehicles exhibited battery-related warnings. It surmised that a loose ground connection under the front passenger seat was the problem.
But by March 2023 it still didn’t have a surefire cause for that issue so it expanded its investigation. That continued through the end of last year and into the start of 2024. Ultimately, it “hypothesized that other mechanical rework operations in the physical proximity of, but unrelated to, this component could inadvertently potentially cause reduced torque.”
More: Mercedes Recalls 105,000 SUVs Over Stalling Risk, Potential Pedal Break
Based on that conclusion it identified potentially affected vehicles and issued this recall. It includes the following vehicles:
Affected Models
- Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 | 2021-2024
- Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S | 2021-2024
- Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 | 2021-2023
- Mercedes GLE 350 | 2023-2024
- Mercedes GLE 450 | 2020-2024
- Mercedes GLE 580 | 2020-2023
- Mercedes GLS 450 | 2019-2023
- Mercedes GLS 580 | 2020-2023
- Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 | 2021-2023
In all cases, Mercedes will have a service tech check the ground connection and correct it wherever necessary. It says it alerted dealers to the recall on March 22 and that it’ll send owners of the affected vehicles a letter no later than May 14, 2024.
Some owners may have already faced the problem and will be compensated if they paid out of pocket for a fix. In addition, owners who experience battery warnings in the meantime might make it a point to get into a dealer sooner rather than later. Poor ground connections like the one mentioned here can, in some instances, lead to fires. In fact, Mercedes recalled various sedans for a similar risk recently.
It appears as though Mercedes managed to catch this issue before any significantly negative events. Despite 31 field reports regarding this issue, the automaker says it has no knowledge of property damage, fatalities, crashes, or injuries related to the problem.
