There are 1 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 Purch: Nov 26, 2022 UAG Fairfield Auto Group CM, LLC,DBA MERCEDES BENZ OF FAIRFIELD Odometer Date of Purchase 10,084 Odometer Currently *13,700 (onboard notification) TIMELINE: Total vehicle system fails while driving on highway lost engine, steering, power suddenly - stranded. November 27, 2021 Loud interference noise coming from MBUX screen, faulty graphics flashing, app not functioning. Extreme Loud “blower” noise coming from heater. Vehicle start would not work as the vehicle did not recognize key was in vehicle even though it was in the vehicle. Informed MB Fairfield. Vinnie said that the noises were “normal” . We knew this was incorrect. December 15, 2021 Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems December 18, 2021 Car would not start/did not recognize key in a parking lot. Went into a local business for help, the owner of the shop coincidentally recently bought the same model and reported similar issues. Shop owner informed us that the “blower” noise coming from our HVC was definitely NOT normal. Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems above. December 20, 2021 Car would not start/did not recognize key - blower issue. Informed MB Fairfield of recurring problems and received no help other than the dealership said not an issue and was “normal” "the app has glitches that they can’t “fix”. December 23, 2022 Car would not start - notified MB Fairfield of recurring problems above. He reluctant to admit problem with vehicle, rather blamed it on the app or software. Regardless of root cause=vehicle was faulty and was not functioning safely and at times completely inoperable. January 4, 2022 Catastrophic failure, 5PM in dark while in fast lane on I95, vehicle MBUX interface made loud noise, flashing illegible graphic. Car in shop March 11, 22 through April 29, 22. May 1 failed at 60MPH on highway- stranded. 2 two trucks confirmed UNSAFE TO DRIVE REFUSED TOW. HAS BEEN AT DEALER 90 DAYS PLUS!
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026