Recall 15V796 affects 52 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E vehicles for an onboard charger that can trigger unexpected shifts to Park. Repair is free.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 52 2015 S550E vehicles because a high-voltage onboard charger was not built to specification and can incorrectly detect an external charging cable while the vehicle is being driven. If that happens when the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly, it can shift into park unexpectedly and increase crash risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will repair the charger free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The high voltage onboard charger in the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E manages charging for the hybrid battery when an external charging cable is plugged in. It checks the cable connection, controls the flow of electricity into the battery, and tells the vehicle whether charging is connected or disconnected. That signal matters because the car needs a clear answer before and during driving.
On the recalled S550E, a circuit board inside the charger was built with electrical connections that are too thin. Those connections can break. When that happens, the charger fails to handle the charging-cable signal correctly. The external cable charging function can stop working, or the car can incorrectly detect a charging cable while the vehicle is being driven.
The warning sign is an instrument-cluster message when the defect occurs. If that message appears, the charger has detected the fault and the vehicle needs dealer inspection under recall 15V796.
Who's affected?
The same S550E sedans are listed under the hybrid propulsion system and electrical system.
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E | Hybrid propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E | electrical system |
| Units affected | 52 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect charging cable detection can cause the vehicle to shift into park while stopped or moving at very low speed, increasing crash risk. A message appears in the instrument cluster when the defect occurs. If that message appears, stop in a safe place, avoid low-speed maneuvering, and call a Mercedes-Benz dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free onboard-charger replacement that fixes the charging-cable detection problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V796 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, especially when stopping or moving at very low speed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the onboard charger covered by recall 15V796. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The charger is the high voltage unit that handles external charging, so the repair focuses on replacing that component rather than adjusting the charging cable. Out-of-pocket repairs paid before the owner notice are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 24, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 19, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 27, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V796?
Recall 15V796 covers 52 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E vehicles with a high-voltage onboard charger that was not built to specification. The charger can falsely detect an external charging cable while the vehicle is being driven, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the onboard charger for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V796. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the onboard charger replacement. Reference recall number 15V796 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will replace the affected onboard charger free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V796?
The safety risk is an unexpected shift to park when the vehicle is stopped or moving at a very slow speed. If that happens, it increases crash risk. The fix is to have a Mercedes-Benz dealer replace the onboard charger for free.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz S550E used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550E is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall number 15V796.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V796000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V796 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V796000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →