What 41 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-benz GLS

I was driving around and my [XXX] daughter was complaining that the seat was getting super hot . I told her to stop playing with the seat warmer she then replied she was not . I kept driving and then she again told me it was burning her so i pulled over and saw that her leg was super red and i saw the seat was pretty melted . I called mercedes care center and they adviced me to take it to my local mercedes dealer . They are quoting me almost 4000 dollars and also replied with this message, “Good afternoon [XXX] we heard back from Mercedes Benz CAC and they have advised us they are not offering any assistance towards the seat repair. Please contact me when you have a moment. Thank you.” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11748048

Car did not brake when going about 5-7mph and crashed into another car.

NHTSA ODI 11713114

On July 23, 2025, I drove my Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 to a medical appointment. After arriving, I parked near the valet station, turned off the car, and went inside to check in at LabCorp. Within two minutes, witnesses reported black smoke from the hood — followed by a violent explosion that shook the office building and triggered a multi-unit response from local fire and police departments. When I came downstairs, my vehicle was engulfed in flames. The front end was completely destroyed. Mercedes-Benz USA sent an investigator on September 8, 2025 to examine the wreck. Despite numerous follow-ups, I have received no written report, no findings, and no communication from Mercedes-Benz since that inspection detailing any relevant information. Safety Context: In March 2024, Mercedes-Benz issued Recall #24V-207, affecting 2019–2023 GLE and GLS models, citing a defective 48-volt ground connection that could cause a fire. My incident occurred in a GLS 450 model and appears consistent with this recall defect. If confirmed, this could indicate that the recall did not capture all affected VINs or that repairs were not properly executed. This incident was minutes from being fatal — and could easily have occurred on the highway or in my garage or with my 4 children inside. The lack of corporate response for over two months raises serious concerns about consumer safety, recall effectiveness, and corporate transparency.

NHTSA ODI 11693202

Fire started in the Engine and consumed the entire vehicle in less than 5 minutes

NHTSA ODI 11619840

Car destroyed by fire on March 19, 2023 while at a quick stop near Chickasaw, OK. Car was last serviced by Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City in December 2022. No personal injuries just a total loss of the vehicle. Cause of the fire at present is unknown. Pictures are available.

NHTSA ODI 11513006

Our car, Mercedes GLS 450, caught on fire after pulled into the garage from a short drive on local streets, which resulted a total loss on our house. After pulling into the garage, the home link didn't work when tried to use it to close the garage door. Upon coming out of the car, smoke came out from under the hood and soon after it became flame. We attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher as it appeared with hood still closed and fire immediately came back. By the time the firefighters came, there was a full fledged fire. The fire has burned the car beyond recognition and the garage was burned too. The fire and smoke has caused a total loss on our house. There were NO warning lights or warning messages at all before smoke or fire started. Investigators hired by Mercedes Benz inspected the burnt car and concluded the fire was due to a missing oil cap. While questionable the oil cap was the source of the fire, it seems the GLS 450 didn't have a sensor for missing oil cap to trigger a warning light or warning message, which is what some less sophisticated cars have because modern engines have positive crankcase ventilation. If indeed missing oil cap could cause full fledged fire, shouldn't Mercedes put a sensor to warn the customers? There is a recall, see link below, on almost all Mercedes model cars in Jan. 2022 for the reason that the car could catch on fire. Our GLS was built just two months before the starting timeline on the recall and it caught on fire and burned our house. Could it be coincidence or did our car catch on fire due to the exact same reason on this recall? (https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharysmith/2022/01/04/800000-mercedes-benz-owners-warned-their-cars-could-catch-fire/)

NHTSA ODI 11452172

I DROVE UP AND DOWN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS. I DROVE 16 HOURS A DAY FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. I RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A WARNING THAT THERE WAS A SMALL EVAP LEAK. AFTER BEING SERVICED THIS WARNING DID NOT APPEAR AGAIN. I BELIEVE THE THRESHOLDS WERE UPDATED TO IGNORE SMALL EVAP LEAKS. AROUND OCTOBER 28, 2019, I NOTICED THE FLOOR BOARD OF MY VEHICLE OVERHEATING. I ALSO DETECTED MORE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN. I BELIEVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE LESS EFFECTIVE AND A BLOCKAGE IS CAUSING MORE EXHAUST TO LEAK FROM THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. HOWEVER NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING SO THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS INITIALLY GETTING HEADACHES AND EXPERIENCING PAIN IN MY SPINAL CORD. NOW I AM EXPERIENCING CHEST PAINS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11324007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS, IT CAUGHT FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CUP HOLDER AND ARMREST CONSOLE WERE HOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER IN THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, TOWED, AND QUARANTINED AT THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S IMPOUND LOT. VALLEY IMPORTS (LOCATED AT 402 40TH ST S, FARGO, ND 58103, (888) 929-9843) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE DEPT DETERMINED IT TO BE A LEAKY HOT LIQUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11191265