The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel. Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC system.
The risk
Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 | 2021 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | 2021, 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | 2021 |
| 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 C 300 | 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 | 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz E 350 | 2021, 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz E 450 | 2021, 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 | 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 | 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC | 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz S 580 | 2021 |
| Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC | 2022 |
Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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 AMG CLS53 | 2021 | 1 | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | 2021 | 5 | 15 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | 2022 | 3 | 7 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | 2021 | 0 | 4 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS | 2022 | 4 | 2 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43 | 2022 | 2 | 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG GT53 | 2022 | 0 | 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 S | 2022 | 0 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55 | 2022 | 4 | 4 |
| Mercedes-Benz AMG SL63 | 2022 | 5 | 4 |
| Mercedes-Benz C 300 | 2022 | 25 | 9 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 | 2022 | 3 | 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz E 350 | 2021 | 13 | 12 |
| Mercedes-Benz E 350 | 2022 | 9 | 3 |
| Mercedes-Benz E 450 | 2021 | 7 | 14 |
| Mercedes-Benz E 450 | 2022 | 11 | 5 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 | 2022 | 34 | 13 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 | 2022 | 6 | 12 |
| Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC | 2022 | 21 | 9 |
| Mercedes-Benz S 580 | 2021 | 34 | 16 |
| Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC | 2022 | 25 | 8 |
Other steering recalls in 2022
70 of the 933 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2022 concerned the steering; Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed 180 campaigns in all.
| 22V943000 20 Dec 2022 | New Flyer of America, Inc. |
| 22V936000 16 Dec 2022 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| 22V916000 12 Dec 2022 | East Manufacturing Corp. |
| 22V906000 8 Dec 2022 | Kia America, Inc. |
| 22V892000 2 Dec 2022 | Pierce Manufacturing |
| 22V890000 2 Dec 2022 | Newmar Corporation |
| 22V879000 29 Nov 2022 | Alexis Fire Equipment Company |
| 22V871000 23 Nov 2022 | Marion Body Works Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2022