2026 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300 4MATIC Coupe

THROTTLE LAG With the 2026 Mercedes CLE 300, throttle lag is driven by a combination of software programming, transmission behavior, and turbocharger dynamics working simultaneously.The following situation is when it usually occurs:Transitioning from a slow roll up a ramp (like the parking ramp at my condo) or pulling away from an intersection or traffic light or stop sign, you can catch the powertrain in its most vulnerable window for lag.:At low speeds, the combination of specific mechanical and software factors makes that hesitation much more pronounced:or a dead stop, the 9-speed transmission is usually sitting in 1st or 2nd gear. When you need a sudden burst of power to climb a ramp or clear an intersection, (or the pedestrian I alluded to in our conversation), the transmission has to evaluate the demand, disengage the current gear, shift down or match revs, and re-engage. That mechanical shuffle takes a second, but it feels like an eternity. (It’s much more than a second because I will have to put the accelerator all the way down to the floor in order to get a response from the car.•:Torque Converter Slip and Creep Logic: Modern automatic transmissions use torque converter slip to keep low-speed crawling smooth and prevent the car from lurching. When you "goose" the throttle from a crawl, the system has to transition from slip-and-creep mode to locked-up acceleration, which dampens the immediate bite of power to the wheels.:Here are the primary causes behind the hesitation: •Drive-by-Wire Throttle Calibration: Modern Mercedes models use an electronic throttle pedal tuned heavily for fuel efficiency, low emissions, and smooth passenger comfort. The computer deliberately dampens initial pedal inputs to prevent aggressive power surges, creating a physical "dead zone" at the top of the pedal travel.This the precise problem I have. Not enough space to write more. This has been refused by MBUSA,Alerted to me by theNCDS.

NHTSA ID

11754765

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

SEVERE THROTTLE DELAY & UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION When applying pressure to the accelerator pedal at intersections or traffic lights, there is a substantial "dead zone" delay where the vehicle fails to respond or move forward. To prompt movement in normal traffic flow, I am forced to depress the accelerator pedal to the floor. Once the engine computer responds, the vehicle suddenly lunges forward in an abrupt, uncontrolled surge of power. I have to keep my foot ready over the brake “just in case”. This is not something that happens every time so it isn’t entirely predictable but it is safe to say at the very least 1in10 times when the conditions are as mentioned above. 2.Recent Near-Miss Incident: This "delay-then-lunge" defect recently almost resulted in a pedestrian collision at an intersection when the vehicle hesitated during a turn and suddenly lurched forward into the crosswalk. The unpredictable nature of this acceleration profile makes controlled low-speed maneuvering extremely difficult and unsafe. 3.I brought this safety concern to my authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership service department. The service advisor and technicians verified the issue and confirmed that this lag is a widespread, inherent design issue across the CLE 300 line—reproducible in other identical customer models and dealership loaner vehicles. According to the service team, the delay stems from factory programming coordinating the 48V mild-hybrid system, drive-by-wire throttle mapping, and Eco Start/Stop function in default Comfort mode. Because the vehicle automatically reverts to default Comfort mode every time the engine is started, drivers are continuously exposed to this safety risk unless manually overridden on every single drive. The dealership indicated there is currently no official factory software recall or bulletin available to fix the programming. 4. Requested Action:This report has been submitted to my attorney to reduce any liability I might incur in the future.

NHTSA ID

11752436

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by double‑clicking on the button instead. This reduces the likelihood of the button being activated accidentally or unintentionally. The recoding can be carried out as follows: 1. Add SA Code O19 into VeDoc (O for Oscar, not "zero") • an XSS ticket may be necessary to add the SA code 2. Perform SCN coding of EIS N73 control unit 3. Deactivate the vehicle key (a successful deactivation is indicated by the LED lighting up 2x briefly and then 1x for a long period). 4. Place the vehicle key in the storage compartment on the key symbol and turn on the ignition. IMPORTANT: all other vehicle keys must be outside the recognition range of the vehicle when doing this! Perform steps 3 and 4 successively for all vehicle keys. Notes: 6th, 7th and 8th generation keys can be deactivated as follows: Up to modification year 22/1 by double clicking the "Lock button" As of modification year 22/1, by press and holding the “Lock button", then double‑click the “Unlock button" at the same time. On model series 167, the storage compartment with the key symbol is located in the armrest. The SCN coding from the EZS is only transferred correctly to the vehicle key under the following conditions: Only one vehicle key is located in the vehicle, this key has been deactivated and it is positioned on the marking in the storage compartment for the data transfer. The costs for this adaptation are to be borne by the customer. For the newer BR 174, 178, 244, 248, 520, and 540, a software update must be initiated, as there is no way to perform SCN coding.

Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("‑ ‑"). • Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. • Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: • Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. • This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reasons for this concern: 1. Country code information stored incorrectly at a particular geographic latitude range. 2. Incorrect reference data when the vehicle is started and a GPS signal is not immediately available. Remedy Update head unit software to latest version and the re‑check function in the same location. If vehicle is still exhibiting one of the symptoms as described exactly as in the complaint section or as shown in the video attachments, open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox with the following: • Video of the concern. • Exact location (latitude and longitude is best)

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, September 3rd, 2026. After September 3rd, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.

Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause Various root causes Remedy See attached diagnostic guide.

Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Information: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, after completing diagnosis, select the damage code corresponding to the component part that caused the problem. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10-P-067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!

Complaint DAB, FM, or SDARS radio reception is limited, only a few stations are found. Cause The firmware installation was incomplete. Remedy In the A26/17 control unit "MBUX multimedia system" (head unit), use XENTRY to carry out the special process "All Modules"; this will reinstall the firmware completely.