2018120025 – Update ESP Software – 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V909
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Components PARKING BRAKE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected 675

 

Parking Brake may Remain Engaged

Driving the vehicle with the ESP system deactivated could increase the risk of a crash.

 

Summary

Mercedes-Benz USA,LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2019 C43 AMG, C43 AMG Cabrio, C43 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, C300 4MATIC, C300 4MATIC Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 4MATIC Cabrio, and C300 vehicles. After parking and exiting the vehicle, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) software may prevent the electronic parking brake from being disengaged when returning to the vehicle, unless the ESP system is deactivated.

 

Remedy

Mercedes has notified owners, and dealers will update the ESP system software, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes’ number for this recall is 2018120025.

 

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

 

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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 Launch Notification Update ESP SW MY19 205 (C-Class)	DATE: January 18, 2019

 

IMPORTANT RECALL CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Please see the attached documents related to the campaign listed above.

 

Please note that all customer inquiries should be directed to the Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES.

 

Sincerely,

Gregory Gunther

Department Manager, Vehicle Compliance & Analysis

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Recall Campaign Launch Notification				January 18, 2019
Campaign No. :	NHTSA ID	Campaign Desc. :	Update ESP Software
2018120025	18V909	18P5498904
This is to notify you of a Recall Campaign launch regarding the ESP Software on 675 Model Year (“MY”) 2019 C-Class (205 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 “OPEN” on January 18, 2019.
Background
Issue		Daimler AG, (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2019 C-Class facelift vehicles (205 platform), the sleep mode functionality within the ESP-Software might not meet current production specification.  Incorrect software could lead to the unavailability of certain ESP functions, increasing the risk of a crash.
What We’re Doing		MBUSA will conduct a voluntary recall.  An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will update the ESP-Software.
Parts		Parts are not required as the repair is software-based.
Vehicles Affected
Vehicle Model Year(s)		2019
Vehicle Model		C-Class
Vehicle Populations
Total Recall Population		675
Total Vehicles in Dealer Inventory		280
Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to sell or lease any new MY19 C-Class 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 MY19 C-Class 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.

 

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Campaign No. 2018120025, January 2019

TO:	ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS
SUBJECT:	Model C-Class facelift vehicles (205 platform) Model Year 2019 Update Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit software

 

Daimler AG, (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2019 C-Class facelift vehicles (205 platform), the sleep mode functionality within the ESP-Software might not meet current production specification. Incorrect software could lead to the unavailability of certain ESP functions, increasing the risk of a crash. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will update the ESP-Software.

Prior to performing this Recall Campaign:

• Please check VMI to determine if the vehicle is involved in the Campaign and if it has been previously repaired.
• Please review the entire Recall Campaign bulletin and follow the repair procedure exactly as described.

Please note that Recall Campaigns do not expire and may also be performed on a vehicle with a vehicle status indicator.

Approximately 675 vehicles are involved.

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 Note:

• Use Xentry 12/18 with all associated patches or higher.
• Follow the steps exactly as described in Xentry.
• Connect battery charger (battery voltage >12.5V).
• Ensure all electrical consumers are switched-off.
• In the event of software/SCN update issues, contact Star Diagnosis User Help Desk. Please refer to the “precall” check list before contacting UHD
• Refer to Star Diagnosis System (SDS) Best Practices Guide.
• If XENTRY is already connected to the vehicle, start with operation step 2.

 

If two or more software updates or SCN codings are performed during a workshop visit, the operation items 024762 and 02-5058 can only be invoiced once for each workshop order!  

 

1. Connect XENTRY/DAS.

 

2. Update Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit software.

To do so, select menu item “Short Test View N30/4 – Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Adjustments ECU Update ECU Software Update”.

 

Then follow the user guidance in XENTRY Diagnosis.

 

 

Warranty Information

Operation:

Connect/disconnect battery charger (02-5058)

Star Diagnosis System (SDS), Connect/disconnect (02-4762)

Update Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit software. (02-9334)

Damage Code	Operation Number	Labor Time (hrs.)
54 989 04 8	02-5058	0.1
	02-4762	0.1
	02-9334	0.1

 

Note

Operation Number labor times are subject to change.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 2018120025
This notice applies to your vehicle,
VIN:
Update ESP Software
NHTSA Recall # 18V909

January, 2019

A remedy is available for your vehicle. Schedule an appointment with your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible. This repair will be provided free of charge.

 

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”) 2019 C-Class 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 2019 C-Class facelift vehicles (205 platform), the sleep mode functionality within the ESP-Software might not meet current production specification.  Incorrect software could lead to the unavailability of certain ESP functions, increasing the risk of a crash.
What will your DEALER DO?	An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will update the ESP software.  This service will be provided free of charge.  We are dedicated to always delivering the best customer experience, and respect for your time is a top priority. While the minimum repair time can be up to 20 minutes, your dealer can provide you with a better estimate of the overall time for this service visit.  As a matter of normal service process, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will also check for other repair measures which might be applicable to your vehicle and this may increase the required working time.
What should YOU DO?	For additional information and to schedule an appointment, please contact your preferred authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer at your earliest convenience.  To locate authorized dealers see www.mbusa.com/recall. Please mention you are scheduling an appointment to update the ESP Software under Recall Campaign   #2018120025.You may be asked for your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which for your convenience is located above your name at the top of this letter. 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 business days to comply with Federal Regulations.

 

A VIN-based recall lookup tool on our MBUSA.com website now offers a search feature that will indicate whether a vehicle has been subject to a safety recall, and whether that vehicle has had the free remedy performed. See www.mbusa.com/recall. Should you have any questions or encounter any difficulty regarding this Recall Campaign, please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. If for any reason a dealer is unable to remedy your situation, we are always happy to hear from you. Please contact us at 1-(800) FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372).

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 apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause you.

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Recall Campaign Launch Notification

January 18, 2019

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCMN-18V909-8173.pdf

 

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RECALL CAMPAIGN INITIAL NOTIFICATION

January 4, 2019

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCMN-18V909-1481.pdf

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 2018120025
This notice applies to your vehicle,
VIN:
Update ESP Software
NHTSA Recall # 18V909

January, 2019

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCONL-18V909-3905.pdf

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

February 20, 2019

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCAK-18V909-8210.pdf

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=18V909&docType=RCL

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Mercedes-Benz Reprogramming

J2534 Pass-Thru

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:

• Windows based PC or laptop^*

• 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.

• All control unit software (reprogramming calibrations) is contained within J2534 DVD media.

 

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.

• Additional updates of software after the 1st year can be purchased at additional cost, however are not required for the system to continue functioning.

For pricing and additional information via the internet, please refer to the information at the beginning of this section.

 

www.startekinfo.com

 

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Last update on 2026-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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