Recall 21V058 covers 1,292,258 2016-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with eCall software that sends the wrong crash location. Dealer or OTA update is free.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 1,292,258 2016-2021 vehicles, including S 450, AMG GT R, and C 300 models, because communication module software can send the wrong location to the emergency call system after a crash. Emergency responders can be dispatched to the wrong place, raising injury risk, and the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The communication module software, listed as SW HERMES, runs the automatic crash notification system in these 2016-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles. After a serious crash, that system is supposed to place an emergency call and send the vehicle's correct location. The location data helps responders understand where the vehicle is.
The defect is in the software design for that communication module. In affected vehicles, the module can send the wrong vehicle location after a crash instead of the correct crash location. The emergency call itself is tied to a system that depends on accurate software data, so the problem is not a broken button or a loose wire that an owner can inspect.
There is no warning sign before failure. The system can appear normal during everyday driving, and the location problem shows up only when the emergency call system has to report the vehicle's position after a crash.
Who's affected?
Spans a broad Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach lineup from 2016 to 2021, with the affected software tied to auto crash notification and electrical system functions.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz S 450 | Auto crash notification |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R | Auto crash notification |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R | electrical system software |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | Auto crash notification |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | electrical system software |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 350 E | Auto crash notification |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 350 E | electrical system software |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Slc 43 AMG | Auto crash notification |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Slc 43 AMG | electrical system software |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG Slc 43 | Auto crash notification |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG Slc 43 | electrical system software |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz S 450 | electrical system software |
| Units affected | 1,292,258 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
If the eCall system fails after a crash, emergency responders can be sent to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury. Because this affects post-crash emergency location data, treat an included VIN as a repair priority and schedule the software update when the recall path opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to ask whether the free communication-module software update is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the communication-module software update that fixes the eCall location error after a crash.
- Reference recall number 21V058 when you call, and bring the owner notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one.
- Keep your contact information current with Mercedes-Benz so recall notices and software-update instructions reach you.
What happens at the repair
The source remedy for campaign 21V058 says Mercedes-Benz began this recall on March 12, 2021. The repair is a communication module software update, completed by a Mercedes-Benz dealer or sent over the air. If a dealer performs it, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the module so the emergency call system uses the corrected software for crash-location reporting. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN, and the over-the-air update is free as well.
Timeline
| February 5, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 12, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V058?
Recall 21V058 covers 1,292,258 2016-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with communication module software that can report the wrong location to the eCall emergency system after a crash. Mercedes-Benz will update the software for free through a dealer or an over-the-air update.
What should I do if my 2016-2021 Mercedes-Benz is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V058. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask whether the communication module software update is handled at the dealer or through an over-the-air update. Reference recall number 21V058 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 says the communication module software update is free. The update is completed by a dealer or delivered over the air for eligible vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed emergency help after a crash. If the eCall system sends the wrong vehicle location, emergency responders can be dispatched to the wrong place, increasing the risk of injury following a crash. The software update fixes the communication module issue.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a Mercedes-Benz owner notice after the recall began March 12, 2021, check your VIN and give recall number 21V058 to the dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V058000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V058 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V058000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →