2019 Mercedes-Benz S 560

On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhesive, site preparation, and installation of a replacement panel with new adhesive.The consumer complaints that prompted the opening of PE21-001 all described detachments of front roof panels that had been replaced after the vehicle was put into service.Mercedes' internal investigation identified a broader scope of affected vehicles (2014-2020 CLA, GLA, C, S, GLC, and GLE class) and found the following potential service procedure- related causes of front roof panel detachments:- Improper surface pretreatments such as the use of the wrong primer or cleaner or scoring of the surface; or - Use of the incorrect adhesive.These conditions lead to a front roof panel bond that, even if sound at the time of repair, cannot maintain its strength over time and environmental exposure.Mercedes updated its service and parts ordering systems to reinforce the proper use of specified kits and procedures via webinars, shop foreman meetings, and explicit reference to the risks incurred by diverging from the repair procedures. Mercedes is also furnishing parts ordering assistance, and will hold dealerships accountable for improper repairs.ODI's analysis of the ten complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and MBUSA's complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE21-001 identified a total of 57 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which the front roof panel detached from the vehicle while in motion. Included within the 57 reports are incidents where consumers state the panel detached ...and flew off into traffic.On March 19, 2021, Mercedes notified NHTSA that it would recall subject vehicles with front roof panels known to have been replaced after the original sale of the vehicle. In total, the recall (designated as Recall 21V197) covers 15,099 vehicles that were ever registered in the United States. Based on Recall 21V197 and the remedy implemented by Mercedes, further investigation does not appear to be warranted at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11376425, 11352686, 11351629, 11349158, 11341541, 11337594, 11324100, 11311591, 11222127, 11404183

Keyless entry problem. July 26, 2022 I placed my 2 small dogs and pursewith key in car. I was unable to enter car on drive's side because the key locked the car from inside. I have since learned from several people they experienced same problem (with infant in rearseat) and that if battery is low on key fob the car will lock with key inside. I attempted to reach MB roadside assistance but after 30 minute wait decision was made to break window to remove the dogs that were in distress. I did see message that same day on dashboard to replace the battery but had NO idea I should immediately do so or only use the "blade" key. I have been diligent about keeping car serviced but apparently battery wasn't replaced during routine service. I would have immediately replaced the battery if I knew key would malfunction thereby locking animals in car. Although I filed complaint with MB they denied my request to reimburse me the cost of replacing the window. I strongly encouraged them to advise service technicians to replace battery at scheduled service (my last service was 5 weeks earlier). I also recommended MB and local dealerships should have better response to calls when it's urgent. The possibility of locking pets or children in car is far more important than the $1900 cost to replace the window so I'm hoping you will take this seriously and advise all MB owners to frequently change batteries at certain intervals and advise service dept personnel to automatically do so. Again, I had no idea it was so important to immediitely do so.

NHTSA ID

11478188

Incident

Jul 26, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the battery auxiliary warning message would appear on instrument panel. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to a dealer where they stated that water in the fuel tank had caused the failure; the fuel was drained and replaced with the gasoline at the dealer. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that she had compromised the vehicle and that she had to pay for any future repairs to the vehicle, which the contact objected to. After the third failure, the contact was informed that the fuel in her vehicle would be sent to the manufacturer to be tested. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and was assured that they would test both the fuel and the vehicle however, the contact had yet to receive an update about the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT SHAKING, AND SHUT DOWN, DECREASE FROM 60 TO 0 MPH.

NHTSA ID

11428409

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ S560. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SEAT BELT WOULD TIGHTEN AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ENTERED ARBITRATION WITH THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ID

11413973

Incident

Apr 26, 2021

Mileage

9,000 mi

THE STEERING SHIFTER WOULD NOT CHANGE THE CAR INTO PARK NOR NEW RAM, FROM DRIVE. AFF'L, THE SHIFTER INSTEAD BEGAN OPERATING THE NAVIGATION MAP CURSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY EACH OF THE 3 TIMES IT HAPPENED IN ONE DAY.

NHTSA ID

11405136

Incident

Apr 2, 2019

Mileage

1,425 mi

FROM DAY ONE DELIVERY, CAR TECHNOLOGY DIDN'T WORK. A COUPLE OF MONTHS, MORE PROBLEMS BEGAN: ODD SECURITY WARNINGS - CAR WOULDN'T LET ME PUT INTO PARK, NOR NEUTRAL, NOR REVERSE. THIS OCCURRED 3 TIMES, SETTING STILL, IN 3 RURAL LOCATIONS. INSTEAD THE SHIFTER OPERATED THE CENTRAL NAVIGATION MAP DIRECTIONS! TWO DEALERS COULDN'T FIX. INVESTIGATION INTO HISTORY, THE CAR HAD UNDISCLOSED DAMAGE TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFTER. PARTS WERE REPLACED BEFORE BEING TITLED TO ME. MERCEDES REFUSED TO ASSIST. AT MY EXPENSE I HAD CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WORKED ON THE COLUMN SHIFTER REPLACEMENT. THEY DETERMINED THE CAR WAS NEVER SET UP PROPERLY BY THE DEALER, AND THEY ALSO REPLACED RELAYS FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. MERCEDES REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY OF THIS EVEN AFTER THE THIRD DEALER REMEDIED. THE FACT THEY DIDN'T SET UP SECURITY PROPERLY, CAUSING POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS UNABLE TO SHIFT CAR TRANSMISSION AND THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OF CAR NOT SET UP ON DEALER SIDE, IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THEY ALSO NEVER DISCLOSED THIS CAR FOR ADAQUATE OPERATION NEEDS TO INTERACT WITH OTHER MERCEDES CARS. I CAN SEE ADDITIONAL FEATURES RELYING I THIS, BUT A CAR SHOULD NEVER BE INACCESSIBLE TO THE OWNER WHO HAD KEYS IN HAND, AND OWNER DID SET UP HER PROFILE IN THE CAR AND WITH HER PHONE. I WAS TOLD THE FAILURES WERE FAULTY SOFTWARE, FAULTY RELAYS, AND THE ORIGINAL DEALER MUST SET UP CAR FOR PROPER SECURITY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED A DEALER WHO DIDN'T SET UP A CAR CORRECTLY. BUT THE FIRST TIME IT NEVER INTERFERED WITH THE CAR OPERATION. OVERALL THE CAR SPENT MORE TIME AT THE SHOP THAN IN MY POSSESSION THE 7 MONTHS I LEASED IT. MERCEDES ALSO WOULDN'T LET ME PUT OF THE LEASE AND I HAD TO PAY SUBSTANTIAL MONEY TO BUY OUT THE CAR. MERCEDES I'M CONVINCED THOUGHT I WAS SCAMMING THEM TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I'VE NEVER BEEN TREATED WITH SUCH DISRESPECT OVER A DANGEROUS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

11398700

Incident

Apr 4, 2020

Mileage

2,300 mi

Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. E.g. 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.

Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2028-2021 S-Class, S-Class Coupe/Cabriolet (217 and 222 platforms) vehicles, the low pressure fuel line does not correspond to the current series production configuration. Therefore, it is possible that accelerated aging in the area of connection could occur, resulting in a leak. A risk of fire can be ruled out. What We’re Doing MBUSA will conduct an Emission Service Campaign. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the braided hose of low-pressure fuel line and install a heat shield over the new braided hose

Complaint Creaking noise from side bolster when load applied to seat cushion of front seats. Cause Soiling to the replacement fabric of the seat cushion cover means that friction on the seat side finisher mountings generates a creaking noise. Remedy 1. Clean fabric cover and seat side finisher in marked area (Pic. 1) 2. Apply lubricant A 000 989 35 60 in area of inner plastic cover (reinforcement for cover at inner side of front seat - do not apply directly onto outer cover).

Complaint The result from the XENTRY battery test does not match the current state of the battery. Cause The XENTRY battery tester uses the stored on-board electrical system data in the SAM module to access the health of the 12 volt battery. The XENTRY battery test may not take into account a single discharge event because the SAM cannot record the data if the battery is discharged. Note: A discharged battery does not necessarily need to be replaced. A discharged battery may be recovered with no permanent damage. Remedy Follow guided tests as described.

Complaint The garage door hand transmitter cannot be initialized with the integrated garage door opener in the inside rearview mirror. Cause 1. The integrated garage door opener (GDO) is not compatible with the opening system installed in the garage. 2. The garage door drive uses a rolling code system. In contrast to the fixed code system, the LED in the mirror in this case flashes green after programming. 3. When the handheld remote control is initialized with the integrated GDO, the distance between the handheld remote control and the GDO is too long or too short. 4. The maximum programming time of the hand transmitter was exceeded. The hand transmitter switches itself off after 10s to 20s. However, the garage door opener needs up to 30s to learn the code. 5. The maximum programming time of the integrated GDO was exceeded. The integrated GDO has aborted programming unsuccessfully. 6. The GDO cannot be programmed after replacement (See #9). 7. The batteries of the hand transmitter are too weak. 8. A part of the signal was not registered correctly. 9. The GDO is not programmed to US standards. 10. Errors with Chamberlin MyQ, Liftmaster MyQ, or Craftsman AssureLink systems causing loss of synchronization. Remedy Note: The numbering of the remedies refers to the numbering of the causes. 1. Installation of a universal receiver. Order via the Homelink Hotline. 2. In the case of garage door drives with rolling code system, synchronization of the garage door drive must also be performed. 3. Keep the correct distance when initializing! This can vary between 5 and 20 cm depending on the system. If the initialization attempt is unsuccessful, repeat the initialization process, changing the distance between the hand transmitter and the mirror.

Complaint The range of the integrated garage door opener (GTO) is too short. Cause 1. Vehicles equipped with infrared windows and/or a heated windshield may suffer from complaints involving low transmission power. 2. When comparing the range between the integrated GTO and the garage door hand transmitter, the garage door hand transmitter is tested outside the vehicle. 3. The garage door hand transmitter is being aimed towards the garage door, but the vehicle is in a different position. 4. The garage door drive is old. Remedy 1. The lower level of transmission power is mainly perceived by customers who did not have any infrared windows (code 595) or all-round infrared windows (code 596) or heated windshield (code 597) in their previous model or who have another model without this special equipment in their fleet. The loss in transmission has technical reasons, i.e. a thin metal film is fitted in the windows. Please consider these codes and advise the customer accordingly! Replacing parts does not remedy the problem. 2. Perform the comparison test between the integrated GDO and the garage door hand transmitter under identical conditions. The garage door hand transmitter must be inside the vehicle and must be held at the height of the inside rearview mirror. 3. The customer instinctively aims the garage door hand transmitter towards the door. However, the transmission direction of the integrated GDO depends on the position of the inside rearview mirror, and thus depends directly on the position of the vehicle relative to the receiving antenna of the garage door drive.