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Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 and CLS53 hands-off detection may fail

NHTSA campaign 22V189000 · Reported 2022-03-25 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

medium How serious is it? About this label

Moderately serious — the car itself drives normally and there is no order to stop driving, but a driver-assist safety net may not work, so keep your hands on the wheel and stay fully in control until it is fixed.

What's wrong, in plain English

These Mercedes-Benz models have a heated leather steering wheel with sensors that tell the car whether your hands are on the wheel. A software mistake in that sensor's control unit can stop it from noticing when you let go. If that happens while you are using the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC cruise system, the car may not warn you to take the wheel, and its automatic emergency stop feature may not call for help. Dealers reprogram the software free.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is covered.
2. Contact your Mercedes-Benz dealer, or MBUSA at 1-800-367-6372 (recall 2022040010), to schedule the software update.
3. Have the update done — it costs you nothing.

Affected vehicles (2)

Who to contact

Mercedes-Benz — official Mercedes-Benz recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-367-6372

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Official notice

Component
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary
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.
Safety 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.
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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.