Recall 17V247 affects 1 2013 Mercedes-Benz R320 vehicle for engine crash-shutoff software. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 1 2013 R320 equipped with a six-cylinder diesel engine because crash damage to the main communication path can prevent the backup path from shutting off the engine or fuel pump. If the engine and fuel pump keep running after a crash, fire risk increases; the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz R320 uses an air bag control unit, the crash-sensing computer, and an engine control unit, the computer that manages engine operation and fuel pump commands. In a serious crash, those modules are supposed to communicate so the engine and fuel pump shut down when the restraint system detects the impact.
The problem is in the backup communication path between those computers. If a crash damages the primary connection, the backup path can fail to send the shutdown command. That means the engine or fuel pump stays on after the impact, which is the condition Mercedes-Benz is recalling.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is not a wear item an owner notices during normal driving; it shows up only in the crash scenario described by the recall.
Who's affected?
This campaign ties the same R320 vehicle to both engine and electrical system software work.
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz R320 | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz R320 | electrical system software |
| Units affected | 1 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
After a crash, the engine and fuel pump can keep running instead of shutting off, increasing the risk of fire. Do not rely on symptoms to decide whether this recall applies. If your VIN is included, schedule the software update. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Mercedes-Benz R320 is included in this recall.
- Keep the Mercedes-Benz owner notice if you received one, then ask a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer when the free repair is open for your VIN.
- Ask the dealer about the engine-control-unit software update that fixes the post-crash engine and fuel-pump shutoff path.
- Reference recall number 17V247 when you call Mercedes-Benz customer service or the dealer.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete, and ask the dealer about the safest way to bring the vehicle in.
What happens at the repair
The filing does not list a current remedy status in this input. The described dealer repair is an engine control unit software update. Once the repair is available, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the engine control unit with new software so the crash shutdown logic uses the corrected programming. The dealer repair will be free once available, with the service work covered under the recall. The remedy text reports that owner notification began by early June 2017.
Timeline
| April 11, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V247?
Recall 17V247 covers 1 2013 Mercedes-Benz R320 4MATIC CDI with six-cylinder diesel engine software that fails to shut off the engine or fuel pump after certain crashes. That failure increases fire risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers update the engine control unit software for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Mercedes-Benz R320 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific R320 is included in recall 17V247. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the free engine control unit software update. Reference recall number 17V247 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will update the engine control unit software free of charge at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V247?
The safety risk is fire after a crash. If the primary communication path between the air bag control unit and engine control unit is damaged, the backup path fails to shut off the engine or fuel pump, increasing fire risk.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz R320 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 17V247 to confirm the software update and appointment process.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V247000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V247 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V247000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →