As previously reported, on October 11, 2019, Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) issued a recall notice to Daimler AG regarding certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with the Euro 5-compliant OM651 diesel engine (N1 & M1 certification) for Europe. According to the KBA, certain calibrations in the vehicle’s engine control software have to be changed.
In this context, Daimler had previously announced that this recall would in total affect a middle six-digit number of vehicles in Europe. The notice directly affected vehicles of the predecessor model of the current Sprinter. The other van model series reported to the KBA were older vehicles of the Euro 5-compliant Vito/Viano (after the facelift/model update).
Production of the affected van series for Europe stopped in June 2016 at the latest.
The notices are a consequence of the order issued in June 2019 for the GLK 220 CDI 4MATIC with the emission standard Euro 5. In this connection, Daimler had already stated that the criticized functionality is contained in a variety of model series and announced that it would review the matter.
What will happen next?
Mercedes-Benz customers do not have to take any further action for now. They will be notified in writing as soon as software is available for installation in their vehicle and asked to make an appointment with the nearest service partner.
Customers can click on the following link to an online tool
In order to obtain clarity on a very complex matter, Daimler is appealing against the recall notices. Independently of the legal clarification of this matter, Daimler will implement the mandated recalls, continue to cooperate fully with the authorities, and create transparency.
The company considers the clarification process with the KBA pertaining to the functionalities of the engine control systems in Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles to be far advanced, but not yet concluded. We expect the KBA to issue further recall orders.
As at January 2020
