Mercedes Recalls Vehicles for Emergency-Call Location Error

Mercedes Recalls Vehicles for Emergency-Call Location Error
The Mercedes logo on a displayed car during the Retromobile classic car show at Porte de Versailles, in Paris, France, on Feb. 4, 2020. Martin Bureau/AFP via Getty Images
The Associated Press
Updated:

NEW YORK—Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 1.3 million vehicles because the software in their emergency-call systems could send responders to the wrong location after a crash.

The recall comes after Mercedes-Benz learned of a crash in Europe where the automatic emergency-call system sent the wrong position of the vehicle. It began an investigation in October 2019, and it eventually found other similar events. A company spokesman said that it found none in the United States.

The recall covers many vehicles from the 2016 through 2021 model years, including those classed CLA, GLA, GLE, GLS, SLC, A, GT, C, E, S, CLS, SL, B, GLB, GLC, and G. The company’s Daimler Vans also announced recalls of 2016–2020 Metris vehicles and 2019–2020 Sprinter vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz said that it will notify affected owners and update the software systems at no charge, according to filings with the U.S. Department of Transportation. It expects to begin the recall on April 6.