Mercedes-Benz Cars and SUVs Recalled Because Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

The issue stems from a software problem

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 driving
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250
Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 126,000 sedans and SUVs from the 2018 through 2021 model years to address a safety issue with the rearview camera. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a software error may prevent the image from the rearview camera being properly displayed. This means that the affected vehicles do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, which covers “Rear Visibility.”

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations, a “rearview camera image that might not be available within 2.0 seconds (as required by FMVSS 111 S5.5.3) as the vehicle begins to back up might impair rear visibility which might increase the risk of a crash.”

In documents provided to NHTSA, Mercedes-Benz says that the problem was first reported in 2018 by owners of commercial vans who experienced this condition. After delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and additional internal and market reviews, Mercedes-Benz determined this condition affected its passenger vehicles.

When the issue occurs, the driver might notice that the central display would either continue to display the existing image or display a black screen with a message indicating the rearview camera is not working properly.

The automaker says that it identified eight cases in the U.S. from December 2018 through August 2021. Mercedes-Benz has not received any reports of crashes or injuries associated with the problem.

Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the software in the recalled vehicles, free of charge. All recalled vehicles are impacted by this issue, so it’s important for owners to take their vehicle in to receive the software update.

The Details

Vehicles Recalled:

  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG A35 
  • 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 
  • 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 
  • 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S 
  • 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35 
  • 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA45
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 S 
  • 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz C350E 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 
  • 2019 Mercedes-Benz E300 
  • 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 
  • 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 
  • 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 
  • 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC350E 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 

The problem: The image from the rearview camera may not properly display, which increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.

How to contact the manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners of affected vehicles by mail starting June 7, 2022. Owners may also contact Mercedes-Benz directly, at 800-367-6372. 

NHTSA campaign number: 22V232. The Mercedes-Benz number for this recall is 22S20.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.

If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have one. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.

Stay informed about recalls that might affect your vehicle by using our Car Recall Tracker.

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Jon Linkov

I owe my career to two fateful events: my father buying a 1965 Corvette and my purchase of an Audi A4 rather than a Chevy Tahoe. The Corvette jump-started my love of cars, and the Audi led me to automotive journalism, track days, and amateur car repair. In my free time I cycle as much as possible, no matter the season.

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