NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 has 14 recalls, the most serious involving a 48-volt ground cable in the engine compartment that can overheat and start a fire.
Several recalls involve occupant safety in a crash. Loose side impact sensor connectors can delay airbag and seatbelt activation during a side collision. The front passenger seat may lack a proper range limit stop, allowing it to move too close to the airbag and raise the risk of injury when the airbag deploys. A seatbelt pretensioner defect may prevent belts from performing correctly in a crash, and rear seatbelt retractors can deactivate early and fail to hold a child safety seat securely. On Cabriolet trims, rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted and can shift or detach in a crash. A separate battery-related defect can disable the emergency call system, hazard lights, electric seats, and automatic door locks.
Three recalls affect rear visibility: the rearview camera may fail to display an image due to a software error, the multimedia system display can go black or reboot on startup, and the parking control unit may fail to show the camera image while also causing parking sensors to miss nearby objects. Two recalls involve the emergency call system failing to connect or sending responders to the wrong location. There is also a heated steering wheel issue on equipped vehicles where the hands-off detection system deactivates, disabling driver monitoring alerts and the automatic emergency stop feature.
At a glance
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What can fail
The 48-volt ground cable connection in the engine compartment may not be properly tightened, causing the cable to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 12-volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured. During a crash, it could shift and disconnect, disabling safety features like emergency calling, power seats, hazard lights, and automatic door locks.
What the fix does
Dealers will secure the 12-volt battery in the trunk to prevent movement during a crash.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call (eCall) system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated at no cost through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error prevents the rearview camera from displaying the backup image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost to restore the backup image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hand detection system in the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC may fail to sense when your hands leave the steering wheel due to a software error.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the hand detection control unit software at no cost to restore proper hand-off detection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side crash sensor connectors may loosen, potentially delaying airbag and seatbelt activation during a side impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side impact crash sensors as needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may stop working too early, preventing child car seats from securing properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear seat belt assemblies as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks due to defective guide bushings.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to go black or restart after startup, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying properly.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the multimedia system software, or you can receive the update over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking control unit may fail to show the rearview camera image, causing parking sensors to misidentify or fail to detect objects behind the vehicle.
What the fix does
The parking control unit will be replaced at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty electrical contact in the seat position switch may prevent driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from activating during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat position switches at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger seat limiter may not prevent the seat from moving too close to the front air bag.
What the fix does
Dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter to ensure proper positioning away from the air bag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat may lack a mechanical stop that limits how far it can move, allowing it to shift outside the safe position relative to the airbag.
What the fix does
Dealers will check for the mechanical seat adjustment limit and install it if missing, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.