Daimler recalls vans and cars that cannot dial 911

Daimler recalls vans and cars that cannot dial 911

May 29, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Jacksonville, FL – May 29, 2022 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 254,799 vans and cars over inability of the vehicles to dial emergency services. This compromises the occupants’ ability to get timely help in the event of a crash.

The recall affects Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, as well as CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class and G-Class vehicles.

Some of the affected vehicles include:

  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz S550 
  • 2019–2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA45
  • 2019 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS5 
  • 2019 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 
  • 2019 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63
  • 2019 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz  AMG GT C
  • 2017 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA250
  • 2020 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350

Recall summary  

All of the recalled vehicles have an emergency call system, which Daimler refers to as eCall. This is an in-built communication device that allows occupants to contact emergency services with a touch of a button. 

Due to a SIM card software issue, the eCall may not be able to access the mobile phone network, preventing the car occupants from dialing 911 in the case of an emergency.

The component causing this recall is the communication module software, with different part numbers,  depending on the model. 

 A detailed list of vehicles affected by this recall is available here and here.

Recall risks

The car occupants may not be able to get help in time, increasing the chance of a serious injury or even death.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Just last week, Daimler told drivers not to drive close to 300,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles because of potential brake failure, as reported. Earlier this month, around 12,000 Sprinter vans were recalled due to faulty rearview cameras, also as reported.

The repair

Daimler will update the SIM software using the over-the-air, or OTA, feature. Should this procedure fail, the owners will be individually contacted and advised to visit an authorized dealer. 

Metris and Sprinter van owners will receive letters with additional information on June 20, 2022 while Mercedes-Benz owners will be notified on July 19, 2022. All updates are free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Mercedes-Benz emergency call recall is affecting more than 200,000 vehicles. To do a Mercedes-Benz recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicDaimler recalls vans and cars that cannot dial 911
Daimler recalls new Mercedes-Benz cars with faulty cruise control

Daimler recalls new Mercedes-Benz cars with faulty cruise control

April 7, 2022 Bojan Popic

Jacksonville, FL – April 7, 2022 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, has recalled 8,396 of new cars whose faulty cruise control that may increase the risk of a crash.

A lengthy list of affected models includes:  

  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT53
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 S
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL63
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS450
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS450
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS580
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz S500
  • 2021 – 2022 Mercedes-Benz S580
  • 2021 – 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53
  • 2021 – 2022 Mercedes-Benz E350
  • 2021 – 2022 Mercedes-Benz E450

Recall summary  

The recalled vehicles are equipped with a cruise control system – called DISTRONIC – that assists the driver with braking, speed and keeping adequate distance between the car in question and other vehicles.

The feature still requires the driver to keep his or her hands on the wheel, which is monitored by a series of sensors.

In affected vehicles, the sensors may be programmed incorrectly. This means that the car will continue driving using DISTRONIC even if the driver’s hands are not on the steering wheel.

It also means that in the event that the driver loses consciousness, the vehicle would not stop driving or call 911.

Recall risks

The defect increases the risk of a crash and injury for the occupants of the car, as well as other motorists and pedestrians.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Some cars from this list may have been affected by a recent recall due to inoperable rear lights. Some of the same model-years may also be subject to a November recall due to the risk of stall, as reported.

The repair

Dealers are going to rectify this problem by installing updated DISTRONIC software, which will ensure proper hand detection control operation. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on May 20, 2022. All repairs and updates will be done free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Mercedes-Benz recall affects more than 8,000 vehicles. To do a Mercedes-Benz recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicDaimler recalls new Mercedes-Benz cars with faulty cruise control
Daimler recalls Mercedes-Benz cars with inoperable rear lights

Daimler recalls Mercedes-Benz cars with inoperable rear lights

March 31, 2022 Bojan Popic

Jacksonville, FL – March 31, 2022 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, has recalled 9,156 cars whose rear turn signals and lights may stop working. This defect augments the risk of a crash and injury. Vehicles that are a part of this recall include:  

  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz S500
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580

Recall summary  

All Mercedes-Benz cars use Signal Acquisition and Actuation Modules, which are usually referred to as SAM modules, whose role is to  control and operate various equipment. On affected vehicles, these electronic control modules have not been programmed correctly. As a result, rear turn signals, reverse and hazard lights may stop working.

Recall risks

With rear turn signal lights being inoperable, other motorists may not be aware of the driver’s intentions. This can lead to a crash, which increases the risk of an injury. The same could happen with malfunctioning hazard lights, as these are used when the vehicle stops at the side of the road. 

Warning signs

The driver might notice several corresponding warning messages on the dashboard.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Some of the Mercedes-Benz S580 cars may have also been affected by a recall in November 2021. This was also caused by faulty software issues, which could result in an engine stall. In January, over 38,000 sedans and SUVs were recalled due to a loss of steering, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will rectify this problem by reprogramming the SAM module and installing an updated software version to it. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on May 13, 2022. All repairs will be free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Mercedes-Benz software recall affects almost 10,000 vehicles. To do a Mercedes-Benz recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicDaimler recalls Mercedes-Benz cars with inoperable rear lights
Mercedes-Benz recalls high-performance cars with faulty stability control software

Mercedes-Benz recalls high-performance cars with faulty stability control software

August 24, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – July 7, 2020 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 5,039 high-performance AMG vehicles for a problem with the software that reduces the risk of skidding. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 53 
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S

Recall summary

The recall concerns vehicles’ Electronic Stability Control (ESP) software. The ESP ensures that the car goes in the direction the driver wants it to go. If it determines that the driver may have lost the control of the car, it applies brakes or reduces the engine power to help the driver regain control. The software has been installed on all new cars sold in the U.S. since 2012.

Due to an error on the part of the supplier – Bosch Engineering – the ESP on the affected cars was not primed to interact with certain brakes and sensors being installed on the Mercedes Benz vehicles in question The issue first came to light in mid-2018.

Safety risks

Because the ESP aids in steering and braking, it can seriously impact the speed and direction of the car. If the ESP responds incorrectly, it could veer the car in the wrong direction and increase the risk of a crash. 

Repair

The repair is a software update. Mercedes has not indicated when it will become available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 5,000 cars are included in this Mercedes recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to check your car for open recalls.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz recalls high-performance cars with faulty stability control software
Mercedes Benz Airbags in Need of Update

Mercedes Benz Airbags in Need of Update

January 6, 2020 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – Dec. 19, 2019 – Mercedes Benz USA, LLC is recalling certain 2019 E53 AMG 4MATIC, E63 AMG 4MATIC Wagon and E63S AMG 4MATIC Wagon vehicles. The incorrect driver air bag and related software may have been installed.

The potential number of vehicles affected is estimated at 99.

The Defect

According to Mercedes Benz, the affected vehicles were built early in the production period and equipped with a prototype airbag hardware and software. Each of the affected vehicles was not updated by the Vehicle Processing Center before being released to the public, as is protocol. Due to the defect, drivers will not receive advanced warning when their airbags are deployed. A faulty driver air bag and software version can cause the vehicle’s restraint systems to not work during a crash, creating a greater risk of injury.

Mercedes Benz notes that vehicles outside of the recall population are fully equipped with the correct equipment and software.

Timeline of Events

Mercedes Benz developed the initial airbag modules for the new model year in September, 2018 and production of all of the affected vehicles occurred between June 20, 2018 and February 5, 2019. These early production vehicles were supposed to be updated after that time. A routine plant audit determined that the affected vehicles were released without an update. In the case of each affected model, Mercedes Benz was able to determine the recall population through production records.

Mercedes Benz decided to conduct a safety recall on November 29, 2019. The company submitted paperwork to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on December 6, 2019.

The Solution

Mercedes Benz will notify both owners and dealers of the defect. Dealers will be notified December 13, 2019, while owners will be notified February 4, 2020. The recall is voluntary for owners. Authorized Mercedes Benz dealers will replace customers’ air bags and upgrade the software so that it is certified for the 2019 model year. Because the affected vehicles are a newer model, all upgrades will be covered by warranty.

For more information on this or other recalls past or present, visit MotorSafety.org.

Sean ReyesMercedes Benz Airbags in Need of Update
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