General

Recall Alert: Mercedes Active Driver Assist

By 04/05/2022 6:50am

Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall order for about 8,300 vehicles, including much of its current lineup, equipped with both a heated leather steering wheel and the adaptive cruise control system Mercedes calls Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC.

Affected models include:

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mercedes explains, “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.”

That could prevent a whole host of functions. Mercedes explains, it could “prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering
wheel, Active Emergency Stop Assist, or calling first responders in the event of an emergency.”

Dealers will fix the problem by updating the hand detection unit control software. Recall repairs are always free.

Many cars are subject to safety recall at some point in their lifespan, and the fix is always free. Automakers attempt to contact every owner to notify them, but inevitably, some slip through the cracks. Find out if your car has ever been recalled at our recall center.