NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V910
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz
USA, LLC.
Components LANE DEPARTURE, STEERING
Potential Number of Units Affected 6,200
Active Driving System may not Detect Hands Off
If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver’s inattention may increase the risk of crash.
Summary
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2018 S450 4MATIC, S560 4MATIC Coupe, S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, Maybach S560 4MATIC, S560 4MATIC, S63 AMG and S63 AMG 4MATIC Cabrio vehicles. The Hands-off-Detection system may malfunction, causing the Active Steering Assist system to remain engaged despite the driver’s hands not being on the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Remedy
Mercedes has notified owners, and dealers will update the software of the steering control unit, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on February 14, 2019 to notify them of the issue. A second notification will be sent when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Notes
Owners may also 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.
Check if your Mercedes-Benz has a Recall
| TO: Mercedes-Benz Dealer Principals, General Managers, Sales Managers, Service Managers, Parts Managers | FROM: Gregory Gunther, Department Manager, Vehicle Compliance and Analysis, Engineering Services |
| RE: Recall Campaign Initial Notification Active Steering Assist Hands-off Detection MY 18 S-Class, S-Class Coupe (222, 217) | DATE: January 4, 2019 |
IMPORTANT NEW RECALL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
RECALL CAMPAIGN INITIAL NOTIFICATION
January 4, 2019
| Campaign No. : | NHTSA ID | Campaign Desc. : | Active Steering Assist HoD | |
| TBA | 18V908,18V910 | PEND 217 222 HOD | ||
| This is to notify you of a new Recall Campaign regarding Active Steering Assist in 6,200 Model Year (“MY”) 2018-2019 S-Class (222 platform), and S-Class Coupe (217 platform) vehicles. The recall campaign will be visible on the www.safercar.gov website and may generate questions from customers. Affected VINs will be flagged in VMI as “PENDING” on January 4th, 2019. | ||||
| Background | ||||
| Issue | Daimler AG, (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that in certain S-Class and S-Class Coupe vehicles (222 and 217 platforms) equipped with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist, the software of the steering control unit may not meet production specifications. Additionally, in some of these vehicles, the boot for the steering column may not have been installed according to production specifications. In both cases, the Hands-off Detection (“HoD”) function of Active Steering Assist may incorrectly assume the drivers hands are on the wheel. As a result, the system would not provide any warnings for the driver to return hands to the wheel and would not ultimately bring the vehicle to a stop, which could increase the risk of a crash. | |||
| What We’re Doing | MBUSA will conduct a voluntary recall. An additional notification will be sent when the remedy is available. | |||
| Parts | Parts are not required for the repair. The software is currently unavailable. An additional notification will be sent once the software is available for repairs. | |||
| Vehicles Affected | ||||
| Vehicle Model Year(s) | 2018 – 2019 | |||
| Vehicle Model | S-Class, S-Class Coupe | |||
| Vehicle Populations | ||||
| Total Recall Population | 6,200 | |||
| Total Vehicles in Dealer Inventory | 138 | |||
|
Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to sell or lease any new MY18-19 S-Class or S-Class Coupe vehicles in dealer inventory covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired. Once the remedy is available, the vehicles will be flagged as “OPEN” and Work Instructions will be available in Star TekInfo Once the repair is complete, the vehicle may be sold or leased. Loaner and demonstrator vehicles may continue to be driven, but must not be retailed until repaired. Additionally, given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for car rental companies to rent new MY18-19 S-Class or S-Class Coupe vehicles covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired. | ||||
| Next Steps/Notes | ||||
| Customer Notification Timeline | Customer letters will be mailed approximately one week after the remedy becomes available. | |||
| AOMS/SOMS | AOMs – This recall may generate questions from your dealers. Please forward this notice to your dealers ASAP. | |||
| Rental Fleet Partners | This recall may affect vehicles in your fleet. Please contact your respective MBUSA fleet representative for further information and next steps. For repairs, please contact your preferred MBUSA dealer. | |||
| While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, MBUSA is determined to maintain a high level of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. Please refer all customer inquiries to the Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES. | ||||
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This INTERIM notice applies to your vehicle,
Update DISTRONIC Software
NHTSA Recall #18V910
February, 2019
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Model Year (“MY”) 2018 S-Class (222 platform) and S-Class Coupe (217 platform vehicles. Our records indicate that your vehicle is included in the affected population of vehicles.
What is the Concern?
DAG determined that on certain MY 2018 S-Class vehicles (217 and 222 platforms) equipped with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist, the Hands-off-Detection function (“HoD”) might not function as intended due to the installed software not meeting current production specifications. Incorrect software could prevent the system from measuring certain driving data values of the steering system, resulting in HoD function of the Active Steering Assist incorrectly assuming the driver’s hands are on the steering wheel. As a result, the system would not provide any warnings to return the driver’s hands to the wheel nor bring the vehicle to a stop, which could increase the risk of a crash.
To remedy this issue, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will update the software of the steering control unit. Unfortunately, the software to remedy this is currently not yet available.
We are working to obtain the necessary software to correct this condition as quickly as possible. When the software becomes available, we will send you another letter asking you to take your vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer to have the recall completed free of charge.
Should you have any concerns or questions regarding your vehicle before you receive the next recall letter when software is available, please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. If for any reason a dealer is unable to address your questions or concerns, we are always happy to hear from you. Please contact us at 1-(800) FORMERCEDES (1-800-367-6372). A new vehicle identification number (VIN)-based recall lookup tool, on our MBUSA.com website, now offers a search function that will indicate whether a vehicle has been subject to a safety recall, and whether that vehicle has had the free remedy performed. Please visit www.MBUSA.com/recall.
If you are no longer the vehicle owner, or have a change of address, please complete the reverse side of this letter and return the complete letter in the enclosed envelope. If this is a leased vehicle and the lessor and registered owner receive this notice, please forward this information by first class mail to the lessee within 10 days to comply with federal regulations.
If an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for any reason is unable to remedy the situation without charge, or within a reasonable amount of time, pursuant to law 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
We regret any inconvenience this situation may cause you.
RECALL CAMPAIGN INITIAL NOTIFICATION
January 4, 2019
This INTERIM notice applies to your vehicle,
Update DISTRONIC Software
NHTSA Recall #18V910
February, 2019
Recall Acknowledgement
February 20, 2019
Latest Recalls Documents
Mercedes-Benz Reprogramming
All information in regard to Mercedes-Benz J2534 compliant software is available free of charge and found under the MB Workshop Resources tab on the home page of www.startekinfo.com
J2534 complaint software for Mercedes-Benz vehicles is available for purchase from Mercedes-Benz USA.
In order to use the J2534 complaint software for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the purchaser must furnish their own:
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- J2534 compliant interface box*1*
*Must be purchased from a third party company and are not available from Mercedes-Benz USA LLC.
*1* suggested listing of J2534 interface boxes is located within the J2534 Pass-Thru User’s Manual which is posted for view without cost under the MB Workshop Resources tab on the home page of www.startekinfo.com
Vehicle Coverage
J2534 complaint software for Mercedes-Benz vehicles has coverage for all required functions associated to reprogramming, initialization, and fault clearing of emission control modules (engine and transmission) fitted to vehicles 2004 Model Year and newer. Additionally all access and functionality required in regard the configuration via SCN Coding and/or CVN Coding is covered.
J2534 complaint software for Mercedes-Benz vehicles is delivered via DVD media which is delivered monthly for the license term of one year upon purchase.
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Terms and conditions
J2534 complaint software for Mercedes-Benz vehicles is purchased in 1-year license increments. During that license term the user will receive an initial software package, license key, SCN/CVN Coding information/access as well as monthly updates via DVD media.
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For pricing and additional information via the internet, please refer to the information at the beginning of this section.
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