Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 27,000 model year 2021-2023 S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. In the event of a mechanical failure in the engine Camtronic system, the engine control unit (ECU) software may cause the engine to overheat or stall, according to the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today.
“In the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the amount of injected fuel might be erroneously increased by the lambda control system during cylinder deactivation. As a result, exhaust temperatures may increase and might damage surrounding components (e.g. engine wiring harness, catalytic converter). A loss of propulsion without warning and an increased risk of fire cannot be ruled out. Due to a deviation in the development process, in the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the lambda control might not be deactivated as intended if cylinder deactivation is engaged. Before the issue occurs, the driver will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism,” MBUSA said.
Chronology
- Through the summer of 2023, MBAG observed an increase in the number of field reports describing instances in which customers allegedly reported a loss of propulsion, non-start condition, or an activated Check Engine Light, although the overall number of reports remained very low. Prior to this increase, only isolated reports were reported from the field.
- Immediately after detecting this increase, analyses were initiated to investigate the issue and attempt to identify the root cause. These analyses showed a deviation in the lambda control in the Engine Control Unit software.
- Starting in January 2024, further analyses of the possible consequences of the deviation for the vehicles in the field were started. In the course of these analyses, detailed analyses of the worldwide field situation including warranty data and diagnostic fault codes were performed. Parts from the field were retrieved and thoroughly analyzed.
- Starting in April 2024, all possibly affected software versions were evaluated to determine which technical variants might be affected by this issue. These analyses and the evaluation of the data were completed in August 2024. The potentially affected vehicles were determined based on the software versions installed on the vehicles.
- On September 13, 2024, MBAG determined that a potential safety risk cannot be ruled out and decided to conduct a recall. MBAG is currently aware of 48 warranty field reports received from August 11, 2021 to August 29, 2024, and1 potential related fire claim, in the US. MBAG is not aware of any cases of injury, death or crashes.
Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 26 November 2024. Owners can contact Mercedes-Benz Customer Service at 1-877-496-3691. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 24V704.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Mercedes-Benz USA Software Recall for Sudden Stalling
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 27,000 model year 2021-2023 S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. In the event of a mechanical failure in the engine Camtronic system, the engine control unit (ECU) software may cause the engine to overheat or stall, according to the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today.
“In the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the amount of injected fuel might be erroneously increased by the lambda control system during cylinder deactivation. As a result, exhaust temperatures may increase and might damage surrounding components (e.g. engine wiring harness, catalytic converter). A loss of propulsion without warning and an increased risk of fire cannot be ruled out. Due to a deviation in the development process, in the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the lambda control might not be deactivated as intended if cylinder deactivation is engaged. Before the issue occurs, the driver will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism,” MBUSA said.
Chronology
Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 26 November 2024. Owners can contact Mercedes-Benz Customer Service at 1-877-496-3691. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 24V704.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.