Manufactured at MBUSI in Alabama, the mid-size GLE and full-size GLS have been recalled over an improperly secured 48-volt ground connection under the front passenger seat. No fewer than 116,020 vehicles produced for the US market have to be checked by dealers nationwide, with said vehicles ranging between the Benz-branded GLE 350 and the ultra-luxurious Maybach GLS 600.
Mercedes-Benz AG started looking into the described issue back in June 2022 due to multiple field reports alleging battery-related warnings. At that time, the German automaker hypothesized that an insufficiently tightened ground cable connection for the 48-volt ground connection contributed to the warning messages. Based on this hypothesis, Merc initiated two rework campaigns at the assembly plant: first in July 2022, then in September 2022.
The Stuttgart-based company received increasingly more field reports from October 2022 through April 2023, prompting Mercedes-Benz AG to conduct a number of internal reviews of the ground connection's assembly process. Unfortunately, the manufacturer failed to identify the root cause.
Further investigations were carried out through January 2024, with Merc hypothesizing that mechanical rework operations in the proximity of the ground connection may have led to the reduced torque condition. Somewhat curious, the company introduced an additional gauge for the bolting of the ground connection to ensure that said issue can no longer occur from January 2023 onwards.
Affected sport utility vehicles were produced in the period between June 20, 2017 and January 5, 2023 for model years 2020 through 2024. The high-performance GLE 53, 63, and GLS 63 are included in the safety recall, which is dubbed 24V-207 by the NHTSA. A loose ground cable lug results in an increase in electric resistance, which – in combination with high electrical currents - may lead to an overheated ground connection. Merc's safety boffins couldn’t rule out the risk of a fire.
Photo: Mercedes-Maybach
Authorized retailers have already been instructed by Mercedes-Benz USA to check the bolting of the ground connection. Affected components listed in documents published by the federal watchdog include part number A0029906850 for the hexagon nut/flange and A0009915303 for the flange. GLE and GLS owners can expect notification letters to arrive by mail no later than May 14, 2024.
Based on a rear-biased platform, the GLE is Merc's best-selling vehicle in the United States of America. No fewer than 57,696 units were sold last year as opposed to 24,056 examples of the GLS. Both of them are 4MATIC by default. Rather than a sport utility vehicle, the German automaker's first 4MATIC-equipped model was the 124 series.
The GLE and GLS use 4MATIC Permanent AWD. The GLE 53, GLE 63, and GLS 63 use AMG Performance 4MATIC Permanent AWD, which splits torque 40 percent up front and 60 percent out back. At press time, the GLE kicks off at $62,650 sans destination charge for the four-pot 350.
The 450 is a sixer, whereas the 450e is a four-cylinder turbo with a plug-in hybrid twist. Customers in the market for eight cylinders need to shell out $86,700 at the very least for the 580. As for the GLS, the most affordable of the bunch will set you back $87,000 for six cylinders arranged in a line. At the other end of the spectrum, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 starts at $174,350 for MY24.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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