2020–2021 Mercedes-Benz (6 models) Equipment Recall 21V288000 (Mercedes-Benz 2021040024)

NHTSA recall 21V288000 (Mercedes-Benz recall 2021040024) covers about 6,331 2020–2021 Mercedes-Benz (6 models) vehicles (equipment), filed with NHTSA Apr 23, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory.

Source: NHTSA campaign 21V288000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research

6,331
vehicles affected (potential)
2020–2021
model years
Apr 23, 2021
filed with NHTSA
None
NHTSA advisory

What's recalled

Component: Equipment (appliance, air conditioner)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 AMG GLE 53, 2020 GLE350, GLE450, GLE580, GLS450, and GLS580 vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain into the passenger compartment.

The risk

Water intrusion into the driver and passenger side foot wells may cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components, increasing the risk of fire. In addition, the emergency call (eCall) feature may be disabled and the doors may not unlock, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the engine may not start or may enter a limp-home mode, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy and its status

Dealers will inspect and correct the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040024.

Status: NHTSA lists Jun 4, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.

Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021040024

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 21V288000 as 2021040024. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "2021040024 recall" refers to the same campaign.

Affected models and years

Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.

VehicleModel yearsMore
Mercedes-Benz Amg GLE532021—
Mercedes-Benz GLE 3502020All GLE 350 recallsYears to avoid
Mercedes-Benz GLE 4502020—
Mercedes-Benz GLE 5802020—
Mercedes-Benz Gls 4502020—
Mercedes-Benz Gls 580 4MATIC2020—

Key dates

Report filed with NHTSA
Apr 23, 2021
Owner notification
Jun 4, 2021
Recall initiated by
the manufacturer
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Check your VIN for 21V288000

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
  2. Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
  3. If 21V288000 is open, call any Mercedes-Benz dealer's service department and give them the recall number (21V288000 or 2021040024). The repair is free.

Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V288000?

NHTSA recall 21V288000 (Mercedes-Benz recall 2021040024) covers about 6,331 2020–2021 Mercedes-Benz (6 models) vehicles (equipment), filed with NHTSA Apr 23, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. It covers certain 2021 AMG GLE 53, 2020 GLE350, GLE450, GLE580, GLS450, and GLS580 vehicles.

Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 21V288000?

NHTSA's record for 21V288000 carries no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The risk NHTSA lists is: "Water intrusion into the driver and passenger side foot wells may cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components, increasing the risk of fire. In addition, the emergency call (eCall) feature may be disabled and the doors may not unlock, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the engine may not start or may enter a limp-home mode, increasing the risk of a crash." Get the free repair as soon as it is available for your vehicle.

How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 21V288000?

Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Mercedes-Benz dealer to check it.

What is the fix for recall 21V288000, and is it free?

NHTSA's record says: "Dealers will inspect and correct the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary, free of charge." NHTSA lists Jun 4, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.

What is the Mercedes-Benz recall number for 21V288000?

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as 2021040024. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (2021040024) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 21V288000.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recall record for 21V288000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
  • "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
  • Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.

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