Mercedes-Benz GLE Recall: 12V Ground Connection Issue Sparks Safety Concerns

Dec 17, 2023 10:51 PM EST

WHITE MERCEDES-BENZ SUV PARKED BESIDE BROWN WOODEN FENCE — (Photo : PEXELS/MIKE BIRD)

In a recent development that has raised safety concerns, Mercedes-Benz has initiated a recall for select GLE vehicles produced for the US market during the 2021 and 2022 model years. The recall, prompted by a potentially hazardous issue with the 12-volt ground connection, encompasses 164 mid-size utility vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Recall

This concern first came to Mercedes-Benz AG's attention in March 2021 when a GLE owner reported a battery warning message followed by a no-start condition. Remarkably, the Stuttgart-based automaker did not initiate an immediate investigation into the underlying cause of the incident, maintaining its somewhat customary approach.

As reported in Autoevolution, a few months later, Mercedes-Benz got a post-production quality feedback report that talked about a similar event. Intriguingly, this report revealed that the affected GLE vehicle had been designated for quality assurance rework during its production phase, but concurrent documentation suggested that the rework had already been completed.

All of these things led to the recall, which might make others wonder how safe and dependable these GLE vehicles really are. This prompted Mercedes-Benz to initiate an investigation into the incident involving the Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Mercedes-Benz AG swiftly uncovered evidence pointing to instances of flawed reworks related to the 12-volt ground connection. Further scrutiny of the available data confirmed that both the March 2021 occurrence and the one in late 2021 involved vehicles that had undergone improperly executed rework procedures.

In a notable parallel development, Mercedes-Benz, ascertained that a single employee was responsible for these erroneous reworks within a specific timeframe. Interestingly, this employee had documented the reworks as being completed correctly.

Of greater concern, it was revealed that the individual in question had neglected to properly tighten the bolted 12-volt ground connection to the required specification. Subsequent thermal testing brought to light the potential for heat generation under the driver's seat due to this oversight.

Consequently, Mercedes-Benz could not rule out a safety hazard, particularly the risk of a vehicle fire arising from the high electrical currents flowing through the connection. Fortunately, as of now, there have been no reports of fire or injuries related to this issue.

Commencing on December 15, dealers nationwide will be provided with instructions to thoroughly inspect the bolt torque of the ground connection and, if deemed necessary, to retorque it to the appropriate specifications as part of the recall process.

Another Recall Within One Year

Last year, Consumer Reports provided details about a recall concerning Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS SUVs. As shared on the report, the recall is necessary due to fire risk. Some models manufactured between 2020 and 2022 exhibit an electrical flaw that may impact the functionality of the front passenger seat.
The presence of electrical resistance can result in an increase in temperature within a connection. Mercedes cautioned that because of the way the failure mechanism operates, the driver will not receive a warning before the issue arises.

Upon the occurrence of the problem, warning messages concerning the 48V onboard power supply are presented on the instrument cluster. Notification letters for owners were scheduled to be sent out by June 7, 2022.