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Mercedes-Benz USA has recalled 1,292,258 vehicles over a software problem that could send emergency services to the wrong location in case of an accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defect report announced certain Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG 2016-2021 vehicles were part of the recall made on Feb. 5.
The issue stems from software design of the communication module, which may fail to communicate the correct vehicle’s location for the emergency call system (“eCall”).
Mercedes-Benz does not currently face legal action over the recalled vehicles, but Top Class Actions tracks recalls because they sometimes end in class action lawsuits.
In the event of an incident like a severe accident or medical episode, the eCall feature is designed to either trigger automatically or be activated by a button to notify emergency services so they can attend to the scene more quickly. It shares information such as the number of people in the car, the direction in which it was travelling, and its GPS location.
However, the software fault was picked up after an instance in Europe where the automatic eCall system relayed an inaccurate vehicle position in October 2019, according to a Mercedes-Benz chronology of events.
The company started investigating, reviewing accident data in the German market. That research indicated additional similar events where the vehicle position transmitted by the eCall system was incorrect, Mercedes-Benz reported. By Jan. 29, 2021, MBAG determined that a safety risk could not be ruled out.
No United States incidents have been reported, and there have been no reports of personal injury associated with the fault, KIRO-TV reported.
Mercedes-Benz told Reuters the error could be caused by “a temporary collapse of the communication module’s power supply caused by a crash.”
The NHTSA said the almost 1.3 million vehicles can be fixed either at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, or via an over-the-air update that will update the software of the communication module for the automatic emergency call system on affected vehicles.
For vehicles with a “Mercedes Me” subscription service, the software update will be performed OTA and so a dealer visit is not required, the NHTSA said. All customers will be mailed recall notification letters as required under federal regulations.
Customers with patchy network coverage will also need to visit a dealership, and will be contacted in the event this is required.
Among the vehicles being recalled are the A-, B-, C-, E-, GT-, S-, SL-, and SLC-class; CLA- and CLS-class; and G-, GLA-, GLB-, GLC-, GLE-, and GLS-class. All were made between 2016 and 2021, but specific model years for various products differ, so owners should check the make and model in the defect report.
Owners who have any additional questions about the recall may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
In recent years Mercedes-Benz have been at the forefront of controversy, with many consumers and employees complaining about a range of issues from the manufacturer.
In January a class action lawsuit was filed by two Mercedes-Benz employees over missed 401(K) earnings because the company mismanaged the fees on the account.
In September 2020, Mercedes-Benz U.S. and German parent company Daimler AG agreed to pay $700 million to resolve a class action lawsuit that claimed the automaker cheated emissions tests.
Are you the owner of a Mercedes-Benz and have experienced issues? Let us know in the comment section below.
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7 thoughts onMercedes-Benz Recalls Almost 1.3 Million Vehicles over Emergency Call Issue
We had the same problem with our car calling 911 about 20 times in a row and our phone system isn’t even activated for use.. It has happened on 3 different occasions…However, we have a 2007 E 350!!
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Please add me. I recently purchased a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV.
Please add me I currently purchase a 2016 GLC Mercedes-Benz SUV. I don’t want any costly repairs due to defective issues with this my SUV.
I have a 2014 ML350 diesel with 57,000 miles – 1) the muffler has a yellowish discoloration look that I feel should not be there. When you look at my car from the back, this discolored stain is highly noticeable. This stain is not on regular ML350s; only on the Diesels. (Stain has been there since around the 20,000 mile mark.
2) During my B-service oil change, I was told that I had a slight leak from the “oil coolers seal” I read that this is a regular problem with the Diesels. I was quoted a price of $3,200. I did not get this fixed. I feel that this should be a recall along with the discoloration on my muffler. How can I get this point across to Mercedes? Thanks.
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