Mercedes-Benz Recalls Thousands of GLE, GLS, and G-Class Vehicles Due to Airbag and Wheel Bolt Defects

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is initiating two separate recalls affecting a significant number of its luxury vehicles due to potential safety defects. The first recall, encompassing various Model Year 2026 Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach GLE and GLS models, addresses an issue with the front passenger airbag. A second recall involves Model Year 2025 electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class vehicles and concerns potentially faulty wheel bolts. In total, more than 3,700 vehicles are subject to these recalls, which aim to rectify conditions that could increase the risk of injury or a crash.

The larger of the two recalls, NHTSA Recall No. 26V199, pertains to a total of 932 Model Year 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS vehicles, including the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 E 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC, and Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC. According to Mercedes-Benz, a defect in the front passenger airbag fabric could prevent it from deploying as intended in the event of a crash. This malfunction could compromise the airbag’s ability to properly restrain a front passenger, thereby elevating the risk of injury. The issue stems from a production deviation at a supplier, resulting in a batch of passenger airbags being manufactured with fabric that does not meet current specifications. Mercedes-Benz was notified by its supplier of the potential issue in late February 2026 and has since confirmed the risk, leading to the decision to conduct a recall. While no warranty claims, field reports, or injuries related to this defect have been reported in the U.S., the company is proactively addressing the situation.

For owners of the affected vehicles, the remedy involves an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer replacing the front passenger airbag module with a new component manufactured to current specifications. The production process has since been corrected, with changes implemented by the supplier to prevent recurrence from March 5, 2026, onward. Dealers are scheduled to be notified of this recall on April 3, 2026, and owners will be contacted before May 22, 2026. The specific VINs of affected vehicles will be searchable starting April 3, 2026.

The second recall, identified as NHTSA Recall No. 26V198, affects 3,734 Model Year 2025 electric Mercedes-Benz G580 vehicles. This recall addresses a defect in the wheel bolts that connect the wheels to the hub. Mercedes-Benz has determined that these wheel bolts may not meet current production specifications due to a deviation in the development process, failing to account for the increased vehicle mass and higher torque loads associated with the electric variant. The potential consequence of this defect is that the wheel bolts could loosen while driving, which could compromise driving stability and increase the risk of a crash. Mercedes-Benz initiated an investigation after a wheel bolt loosened during durability testing. While analyses suggest that a loose bolt would most likely occur only under a combination of extreme driving maneuvers and numerous repeated wheel changes late in the vehicle’s lifespan, and no incidents have been reported in the U.S., the company has decided to recall the vehicles as a precautionary measure. The production of the affected vehicles was corrected with a new two-part wheel bolt design implemented from August 26, 2025.

The remedy for this recall also requires owners to take their vehicles to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer to have the wheel bolts replaced with a new, compliant variant. Similar to the airbag recall, dealers will be notified on April 3, 2026, and owners will receive notification before May 22, 2026. The VINs of these vehicles will also be searchable beginning April 3, 2026.

Owners of potentially affected vehicles are advised by Mercedes-Benz to park their vehicles outside until the necessary repairs can be made to mitigate any potential safety risks.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

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