2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

I purchased my 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 with approximately 12,000 miles on 08/16/2022. Throughout the course of my ownership the vehicle has had multiple sets of tires replaced due to them either being prematurely bald, developing multiple bubbles, or shredding due to cracked rims. Along with the tires being constantly replaced, I have had to replace 8 rims that have cracked under normal driving conditions. Upon doing research into why my rims crack so frequently, I discovered that this is a common occurrence with my model of Mercedes, as well as several other models. The online forums state, “This is not as a result of your driving, potholes, etc. but due to a design defect with some Mercedes vehicle. This is due to the fact that the factory installed cast aluminum rims coupled with low profile stiff run-flat tires and a relatively stiff suspension result in the rims momentarily exceeding their yield strength during typical driving conditions and failing by cracking, bending and so on which usually also causes the run-flat tires to be damaged as well. This will continue to happen over and over several times per year because this is a design defect.” According to several sources, Mercedes-Benz is aware of this situation and has done little to counteract this situation, only offering a comprehensive tire and wheel package to drivers, at an extra cost of course and paying a few settlements under the table to those who threaten to expose this situation to the public. Mercedes- Benz has ultimately developed, and put into circulation, several models of vehicles with wheels that cannot support the vehicles weight while the vehicle is stationary, let alone while in operation. This flaw in their design is not only costly to replace or an inconvenience to try to resolve, but deadly if the right combination of failures were to occur.

NHTSA ID

11579206

Incident

Mar 24, 2024

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11496545*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

NHTSA ID

11496546

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V733000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms remedy not available.

NHTSA ID

11496545

Incident

Sep 30, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V533000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11481015

Incident

Apr 21, 2022

Mileage

22,000 mi

THE 2020 MERCEDES CLS HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THEIR 48V SYSTEM THAT TURNS THE ENGINE OFF IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH HET ZONES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND SAUDI ARABIA. IT'S A KNOW ISSUE THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX CURRENTLY. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND THE CAR JUST STALLED ON ME, LEAVING ME IN A PANIC TO TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN BEFORE GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. MERCEDES PROVIDED ME A LOANER WHILE THEY TRIED TO FIX MY CAR. I WAITED 9 WEEKS TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT, BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM I NO LONGER WANT TO LEASE TIS VEHICLE AS IT IS A DANGER TO MY FAMILY. THEY WOULD NOT TAKE THE CAR BACK NOR OFFER A BUYBACK OPTION. THE ONLY OPTION GIVEN WAS A TRADE IN LEASE, BUT THE OPTIONS FOR A CAR COMPARABLE WAS NON EXISTENT IN THE UNITED STATES AS THEIR INVENTORY IS EXTREMELY LIMITED. I ASKED AGAIN SINCE THEY HAD NO CARS TO OFFER ME TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND LOOK FOR ANOTHER COMPANY. I WAS TOLD NO SO I HAD VERY LITTLE OPTIONS AND TOOK THAT CAR BACK LAST WEEK. MICHAEL FAUL THE GENERAL MANAGER THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TOLD ME IN OUR FIRST MEETING THAT OF COURSE THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR THE 2 MONTHS OF LEASES I PAID WHEN I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAR. TODAY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THIS MERCEDES THAT HAS A LETTER ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL THAT SAID THEY WILL PAY BACK THE TWO MONTH'S OF LEASES IF I SIGN THIS RELEASE THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR IF ME OR MY FAMILY GET HURT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. (I HAVE ATTACHED LETTER FOR YOUR REVIEW) I HAVE TRIED VERY MUCH TO WORK WITH MERCEDES CORPORATE IN ATLANTA AS WELL AS THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ. I FEEL THIS IS BLACKMAIL AND A TERRIBLE WAY OF HIDING A DANGEROUS CAR.

NHTSA ID

11373086

Incident

Aug 24, 2020

Mileage

2,000 mi

This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage detection (DMTL) in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV II) and 15 years/150,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV III), whichever occurs first, for the following condition: •Under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (‘MIL’).

Complaint Hand detection system – malfunction / vehicles with code 266 Fault message in instrument cluster: "Active Emergency Stop Assist not available" "Active Lane Keeping Assist not available" "Active steering assist not available" Cause Possible causes: Hand detection mat, hand detection control unit, contacts, and electrical feed line. Remedy In the event of a customer complaint and fault code in IDC control unit: U186B29 in IDC223 or fault code U0429E0, U042941, U042929, U042902, U0429E1 in IDC213 or fault code in HOSWD control unit: B1E7614 Check: Please do not replace the HOSWD control unit. Please flash the new SW and perform the SCN coding for the HOSWD control unit (N179/1) (available from July 2026). The software can be flashed onto all HOSWD213 with HW number A0009011522 and all HOSWD223 with HW number A0009011422. Please also flash the SW for the IDC control unit (N62/4), if possible (only applies to HOSWD223). Erase fault memory Remedy: Turn on the ignition or start the engine without touching the steering wheel. If, after 10 seconds without touching the steering wheel, one of the three fault messages appears on the instrument cluster: Check the contacts and feed lines in the steering wheel by means of a visual inspection for damage, crimp connections, loose connections, etc. (example in picture 2 and 3). If there is visible damage -> replace the steering wheel electronics or the feed lines. If there is not any visible damage -> replace the steering wheel rim. If a yellow message does not appear on the instrument cluster within 10 seconds: Grasp the steering wheel fully with both hands, including the chrome molding at the 6 o'clock position (see picture 1). If the fault is triggered by grasping the steering wheel rim or pressing the clip at the 6 o'clock position, check the contacts and feed lines in the steering wheel by means of a visual inspection for damage, kinked connections, loose connections, etc. (example in picture 2 and 3). Check the ground connections (screw connections and cables to the steering wheel rim); if necessary, retighten the screws/bolts and check for corrosion (picture 4). If there is visible damage -> replace the steering wheel electronics or the feed lines. If there is not any visible damage: Replace the steering wheel rim. Please do not replace the HOSWD control unit. A TIPS case should be created if fault profile is unclear. In the event of a customer complaint and a further fault code in HOSWD: B1E7713: Check the ground connections (screw connections and cables to the steering wheel rim); if necessary, retighten the screws/bolts and check for corrosion (picture 4). B1F1F04: Check the control unit of the hand detection system; if necessary, replace this with the control unit from a donor vehicle (make sure that the hardware part numbers are identical).

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

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, July 9, 2026. After July 9th, 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 Service code B1 displayed in the customer menu does not match the workshop code displayed in the workshop menu, e.g., 505 or 550A, which includes a service A. Cause The root cause is currently being investigated. Remedy To determine the cause, the instrument cluster control unit (N133/1) and powertrain control unit (N127) logs are required before confirming the service or correction using XENTRY Diagnosis. Please open a TIPS case to BCE inbox with the requested information in the attachments.

Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two conditions are also met: • HERMES (N112/9) control unit: event code B15CE00 is ACTIVE and STORED (A+S) • Vehicle Documentation System: For the HERMES control unit, the EID1, EID2, ICCID, IMEI, IMSI, TELNR fields in the "Identification/Serial number" column have the value "-" Cause Still under analysis Remedy Recommission the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis 03/2026 and add-on 33399 installed or carry out the procedure with a newer version of XENTRY Diagnosis: XENTRY→ "N112/9 - Control unit for telematics services (HERMES)" -> "Adaptations" -> "Control unit commissioning" -> "Commissioning of previously installed control unit"