Jacksonville, FL – March 3, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) – known as Mercedes-Benz – has recalled 41,838 luxury SUVs due to a possibility that these vehicles may unexpectedly jerk to one side during quick movements, increasing the risk of a crash. The problem is caused by an issue with the cars’ electronic stability control software, which helps drivers maintain control of the vehicle.
The recall includes 2020 and 2021 Mercedes GLE- and GLS-class cars, including the following models:
- 2020-2021 Mercedes GLE350
- 2020-2021 Mercedes GLE450
- 2020 Mercedes GLE580
- 2020 Mercedes GLE450
- 2020 Mercedes GLS580
Recall summary
These vehicles operate with an Electronic Stability Control system (ESP), which “ensures that the car moves in the direction it wants to go”, as reported. Due to a software error, if the driver needs to quickly change direction – when trying, for example, to avoid a crash – the ESP may jolt the vehicle to the side. This makes the crash more likely to occur.
Other Mercedes recalls
This is the second Mercedes-Benz recall since last year concerning the ESP software. In July, over 5,000 high-performance AMG vehicles were recalled for a similar issue.
In February, 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 SUVs were among cars recalled for a backup light issue. The light would stay on continuously, even after the drivers shifted out of reverse. In December 2019, a single 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE450 4matic vehicle needed to be taken in for repair for insufficient padding on some of the headrests.
Risks
Getting pulled to a side can result in a crash which may hurt the occupants of the car, other drivers and pedestrians. Due to the nature of the defect, the driver will not be alerted to the problem in advance.
Repair
Dealers will perform a free software update on the ESP to fix the issue. The recall will start on April 13.
Is your car part of this recall?
Over 40,000 vehicles are part of this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
