2020 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 has 5 recalls, the most serious being multiple issues with the automatic emergency call system that can prevent the vehicle from reaching emergency services or send responders to the wrong location after a crash.

The eCall system, which automatically contacts a call center when sensors detect a collision, is affected by separate software problems across these recalls. In one case the system may transmit incorrect location data, sending emergency responders to the wrong place. In other cases the system may fail to connect at all, delaying help when it is needed most. Because prior software updates did not fully resolve these issues, multiple repair campaigns have been issued targeting the same underlying function.

There is also a 12-volt battery concern: under certain conditions the battery can lose charge or fail to maintain power, which disables several features that depend on it. That includes the hazard lights, automatic door locks, power seat movement, and the eCall system itself, all of which can become unavailable at a moment when they matter most, such as during or just after a crash.

Rounding out the list, the rearview camera can go dark due to a software error, showing a blank or frozen image on the display screen instead of the live view behind the vehicle. A driver relying on that screen while backing up would have no camera assistance and a reduced view of what is behind the car.