When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
He said passenger side closer to the door. My guess is that the high-voltage system, because that is exactly where I saw the high-voltage cables running under the plastic/trim underneath the seat when I was fishing dashcam camera cable in my GLS. There is also a large ground connection that I noticed over there.
The scary part is that the reporters found plenty of other GLS SUVs with the same fire issue.
Although it's not necessarily the case, but I said that before: thanks to the stupid overly-regulated auto industry, all of these 48V systems are there to support the “green” features... engine AS/S shut-off, startup torque boost, lower emissions, etc.... making these cars way too complex and expensive than they actually could have been.
Technically 48V is still considered low voltage by code. I think the threshold is 60V. Not saying that it wasn't the cause of the fire as a 12V can even cause a fire.
I wonder if the 48v recall work was completed on it? There was one recall about proper torque connections on the ground cable.
EDIT: video stated VIN search did not show any open recalls.
The video conflated 2021 and 2017 GLS's.
The 2017 didn't have a 48 volt system.
There was one recall for grounding of the fuse box in the passenger footwell of 2021 167's, but it only affected 18 cars. Still, I think there was an Inspection requirement, but I don't think it reached the Recall level. (I never understood that difference.)
The location of the 2021 fire is likely the 48 volt battery.
Mercedes was struggling with their 48 volt battery suppliers in 2021, since their battery manufacturer and developer, Grohmann, was purchased by Tesla, who then refused to provide the contracted batteries to Mercedes.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the "substitute" batteries was involved.
As part of the investigation, I'd ask if he regularly drove only short distances, which results in an undercharged battery. Or if he checked his Mercedes Me app.
At least there's not a recommendation to park the cars outside, like Chevy Bolt, Chrysler/Stellantis' Pacifica Hybrid, Jeep Wrangler/Grand Cherokee 4xe, BMW, Jaguar I-Pace, and Volkswagen ID.4.
It must be a low incidence event, or we'd see that requirement for ours.
Technically 48V is still considered low voltage by code. I think the threshold is 60V. Not saying that it wasn't the cause of the fire as a 12V can even cause a fire.
I wonder if the 48v recall work was completed on it? There was one recall about proper torque connections on the ground cable.
EDIT: video stated VIN search did not show any open recalls.
You're right, 60v is the threshold. Above that, additional safety precautions are required.
48v is the chosen battery voltage, and one reason is that 48v charging circuits can approach that 60v threshold.
The video conflated 2021 and 2017 GLS's.
The 2017 didn't have a 48 volt system.
There was one recall for grounding of the fuse box in the passenger footwell of 2021 167's, but it only affected 18 cars. Still, I think there was an Inspection requirement, but I don't think it reached the Recall level. (I never understood that difference.)
The location of the 2021 fire is likely the 48 volt battery.
Mercedes was struggling with their 48 volt battery suppliers in 2021, since their battery manufacturer and developer, Grohmann, was purchased by Tesla, who then refused to provide the contracted batteries to Mercedes.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the "substitute" batteries was involved.
As part of the investigation, I'd ask if he regularly drove only short distances, which results in an undercharged battery. Or if he checked his Mercedes Me app.
At least there's not a recommendation to park the cars outside, like Chevy Bolt, Chrysler/Stellantis' Pacifica Hybrid, Jeep Wrangler/Grand Cherokee 4xe, BMW, Jaguar I-Pace, and Volkswagen ID.4.
It must be a low incidence event, or we'd see that requirement for ours.
I actually just did a search and found that the 48V issue extends all the way to 100 of thousands of Mbenz cars, including up to 2024 model years. The last update was actually 2 years ago in 2024, so am not sure what the current status. Sounds like they were extending this issue to more models and years over-time.
The small number you see in some articles refers to the (dealer inventory) count but not the total recall population. One old example below. Am not sure what is the status as of 2026.
No way I'd be sitting on the sidelines waiting for Mercedes Benz to make this right. I'd have lawyers crawling up their tailpipes with demands for resolution immediately.
I too suspect it's involved with the 48v - either a defective battery or the ground wire. I think the issue with the ground wire had something to do with the contact point being painted in error, causing a weak grounding point. I think I recall hearing something about that.
I actually just did a search and found that the 48V issue extends all the way to 100 of thousands of Mbenz cars, including up to 2024 model years. The last update was actually 2 years ago in 2024, so am not sure what the current status. Sounds like they were extending this issue to more models and years over-time.
The small number you see in some articles refers to the (dealer inventory) count but not the total recall population. One old example below. Am not sure what is the status as of 2026.
I hadn't seen that. It's different from the fuse box ground.
The text in the document (which I downloaded, thanks) says
"VMI must be checked before performing campaigns to verify that the campaign is required on
a specific vehicle. Always check for any other open campaigns and perform accordingly."
The wording is similar to the 18 car non-recall for '21's.
It's certainly not clear fron that document, but I doubt there's hundreds of thousands.
My VIN shows three recalls- fusebox ground, passenger seat ground, and MBUX blank screen, all inspection only, completed.
The video looks like a possible seat grounding issue. A reason to check the recall sources, or have a Dealer do it.
Edit: also on the Benz recall information page, Is an area to update your owner information if you bought the car used.
That way they contact you as the owner if there is a recall.
I wonder if the guy in the video bought the car used, didn't go to a dealer, and didn't update his ownership.
Last edited by mikapen; Apr 12, 2026 at 04:44 PM.
Reason: owner update
It is.
It's already written there, that (as for April 2024) the "Total Recall Population = 116,020" cars. There are several other campaigns of the same, and the numbers kept growing. I do not know the numbers as of 2026 bu they were already in the 100,000+ range as of 2024, including 2024 model years.
As for the guy from the video, the reporters said that his VIN didn't have any open recalls.
I actually had that recall already done on my GLS.
The painted grounds recall was talked about in the 48V (check in here thread), it was an early resolution so if that was the cause of the fire that would be interesting, I mean given how many years was that recall been available, the previous owner of this 2021 or were they the original owner must be living under a rock because even service A and service B, dealerships should be carrying out recalls/campaigns automatically. Or do they DIY their own service? Has all the updates to the powertrain been done? So many variables.
As a forum member mentioned, a 2017 was also mentioned, it had no 48V mild hybrid system, or did the news channel just used that to add to the story even though the cause is not the same?
It is.
It's already written there, that (as for April 2024) the "Total Recall Population = 116,020" cars. There are several other campaigns of the same, and the numbers kept growing. I do not know the numbers as of 2026 bu they were already in the 100,000+ range as of 2024, including 2024 model years.
As for the guy from the video, the reporters said that his VIN didn't have any open recalls.
I actually had that recall already done on my GLS.
Because of liability, NHTSA now groups what used to be advisories, voluntary recalls and Campaigns as "Recalls."
In the case of the 2021 fuse box "recall," (wrong calibration on a new screw gun) there were only 18 cars affected, their VINs were known and the owners directly notified, but all 167s were "recalled."
I'd be more curious about how many were inspected and found to be faulty.
Yours and mine were recalled and found to be fine.
I think there should be a clear difference between Recalled and Defective. As it is, this type of public dissemination dissuades manufacturers from being open.
I had a similar issue with my 2022 GLS, but it ended up being a faulty high-pressure fuel pump. Mercedes had to replace it under warranty and everything's been smooth sailing since. Maybe that's worth looking into?
I had a similar issue with my 2022 GLS, but it ended up being a faulty high-pressure fuel pump. Mercedes had to replace it under warranty and everything's been smooth sailing since. Maybe that's worth looking into?
What - your car exploded and now it's OK?
Just kidding. Did it cause a fire?
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
