2014 Mercedes Benz B-Class Electric

The defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

The risk

An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

The remedy

MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 24,226 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

The defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 B-Class Electric Drive vehicles manufactured November 21, 2013, to May 26, 2015. Due to a communication error within the electric drive system, the electric powertrain unit may shut down, temporarily immobilizing the vehicle and resulting in a loss of propulsion power.

The risk

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

The remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the electric drive system software, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 2,618 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

towed · 12,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ B-CLASS ELECTRIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, AN UNKNOWN YELLOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING ASSISTANCE REQUIRED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND SHORTLY AFTER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ANOTHER RED WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF ALEXANDRIA (200 S PICKETT ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304, (703) 341-2100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE DRIVETRAIN TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EURO MOTORCARS …

NHTSA complaint 11397277, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 62,700 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop sign, the vehicle lost motive power before the "Malfunction visit workshop" and "Stop switch engine off" messages were displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure recurred more frequently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with an electric drive motor failure. The contact was informed that the electric drive motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. After investigating the failure, the contact related …

NHTSA complaint 11554071, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Coolant leak causing catastrophic drive unit failure.

NHTSA complaint 11486153. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Motor suddenly stopped on highway. This was extremely dangerous. Vehicle transported to Mercedes Benz, they have indicated the electric drive motor has failed. This is the second drive motor in this car that has failed in only 48K miles. We have two of these cars, same year and model. The motor has also failed in the other vehicle. There is an entire Facebook group talking about failures of the drive units in these cars. PLEASE FORCE MERCEDES TO DO SOMETHING!

NHTSA complaint 11466786. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Coolant in electric motor . Needs to replace motor . Diagnosed by Mercedes dealer WI Simonson 1626 Wiltshire blvd Santa Monica ca 90403 4105264700 # 525134 March 7,2022 Mileage 63371 Get signal on the garage.

NHTSA complaint 11466819. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

33,000 miles

THIS IS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. IN NORMAL OPERATION, WHEN THE CAR IS SLOWING, AND ALMOST AT A STOP, IT COMES OUT OF REGENERATIVE BRAKING MODE, AND ENTERS THRUST MODE, SO THAT IF THE BRAKE IS RELEASED WHEN STOPPED, THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ROLL. IN THIS VEHICLE, SOMETIMES THE CAR EXITS REGENERATIVE BRAKING MODE AND ENTERS THRUST MODE WHEN SLOWING AT HIGH SPEED, SUCH AS WHEN EXITING A HIGHWAY RAMP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS BRAKING IS MOMENTARILY AND UNEXPECTEDLY LOST WHEN IT IS NEEDED MOST. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES OR FAULT CODES. AS THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT, I AM STUCK. *TR

NHTSA complaint 11324238. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.