The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 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. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
The risk
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
Components: COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz A 220 | 2019 | 48 | 14 |
| Mercedes-Benz A 220 | 2020 | 20 | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG A35 | 2020 | 1 | 7 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | 2017 | 23 | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | 2018 | 13 | 11 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | 2019 | 7 | 12 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | 2020 | 12 | 9 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | 2021 | 1 | 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | 2017 | 4 | 11 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | 2018 | 2 | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | 2019 | 1 | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | 2020 | 0 | 9 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35 | 2020 | 4 | 8 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35 | 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 | 2017 | 0 | 7 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 | 2018 | 6 | 7 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 | 2019 | 0 | 2 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 | 2020 | 0 | 7 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 | 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 | 2019 | 6 | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 | 2020 | 1 | 7 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS63 | 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS63 | 2018 | 0 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 | 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 | 2018 | 6 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | 2019 | 6 | 12 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | 2020 | 3 | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | 2021 | 5 | 15 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 | 2019 | 0 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2021
92 of the 988 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2021 concerned the electrical system; Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed 180 campaigns in all.
| 21V00N000 29 Dec 2021 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 21V00K000 28 Dec 2021 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 21V997000 20 Dec 2021 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 21V972000 15 Dec 2021 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| 21V966000 13 Dec 2021 | Autocar, LLC |
| 21V949000 9 Dec 2021 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| 21V944000 7 Dec 2021 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 21V941000 6 Dec 2021 | Dennis Eagle Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2021