Mercedes-Benz recalls 1.4 million vehicles that may call emergency services to wrong place

Jacksonville, FL – February 18, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) – which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand – has recalled 1,376,603 vehicles that may call emergency services to the wrong location if the vehicle crashes. The recall spans 83 models of 2016-2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class and G-Class vehicles. It includes some of the following:

  • 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA class 250
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz A220
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG A35
  • 2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43
  • 2017-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63
  • 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35
  • 2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45

You can see the complete list of vehicles here.

A separate recall has been issued for the same problem in Mercedes-Benz vans in the following models:

  • 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris
  • 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris
  • 2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris
  • 2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the vehicles’ emergency call system, or “eCall,” which activates after a crash. The system, which can trigger automatically in a crash or at the push of a button, shares the car’s GPS location information with emergency services so that they know where to send help. If the car’s power supply is disrupted during a crash, the recalled vehicles may send the wrong location to emergency services.

Risks

Sending the wrong information to emergency services will delay help to crash victims, who, according to the Part 573 safety recall report Mercedes submitted to the government, would have no idea that first responders were dispatched somewhere else. This can increase the risk of injury or death.

The repair

Owners will receive a free software update from Mercedes-Benz. “Mercedes Me” subscribers will receive the update remotely. Customers without this subscription will be notified by mail that an update will be streamed to their car remotely unless they wish to opt out. In that case, a Mercedes-Benz dealer can install the update in-person. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over a million vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz recalls 1.4 million vehicles that may call emergency services to wrong place

Daimler recalls Sprinter vans due to parking brake issue

Sandy Springs, GA – January 21, 2021– Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) –known as Mercedes-Benz – has recalled 9,094 vans, due to an issue with leaking brake fluid in these vehicles that are all equipped with electrical parking brake (EPB) systems. The malfunction may change how the brake pedal operates, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter 1500
  • 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter 2500
  • 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter 3500
  • 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter 4500
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500

Recall summary  

The problem in this Mercedes-Benz recall involves the rear brake calipers in vehicles that have an EPB, which allows for the activation of parking brakes with a push of a button.

Brake calipers clamp the wheels to slow the vehicle down when brakes are applied. When the EPB is used often, the rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the EPB. Then, to replace the lost brake fluid, air may enter the hydraulic brake system, which is used to stop the car. 

Because of the leak and introduction of air, the driver may have to press the brake pedal much farther towards the floor to get the car to slow down or stop. The driver may be alerted to the presence of the leak if the brake pedal is gradually becoming “softer.”

Risks 

If the leaking-fluid problem is not fixed, the vehicle may not respond quickly enough when the driver presses the brake pedal. This may increase the risk of a crash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 22 recalls for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500. The 2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter passenger vans and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles were  recalled  in August of 2020 because they did not meet standards for  Electronic Stability Control Systems.

The repair

Daimler Vans is in the process of devising a remedy for the brake problem. When the manufacturer is ready to perform repairs, customers will receive a final owner notification letter. Daimler Vans expects the recall to begin January 25, 2021, but no date has been set to begin repairs.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 9,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydDaimler recalls Sprinter vans due to parking brake issue