NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Mercedes-Benz recall: The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion

Recall published 6 months ago

The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.

The hazard: Visibility or lighting defect

This campaign is about visibility — lighting, glass, mirrors or displays. These are federal compliance items, not cosmetic ones.

What the notice says: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: Lights, wipers, mirrors, the rear camera, the windshield or the instrument display may not work as required. These faults reduce what the driver can see, or what other road users can see of the vehicle.

Recall details

Recall number
26V281000
Published
May 1, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Product type
Electrical System
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 4MATIC+ · Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 · Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 4MATIC Coupe · Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43 · Mercedes-Benz C 300 · Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC · Mercedes-Benz E 350 · Mercedes-Benz E 350 4MATIC · Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC · Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 · Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC · Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 E 4MATIC
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V281000

Products covered by this recall

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 6 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • AMG GT
  • C-Class
  • E-Class
  • SL
  • CLE
  • and GLC

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Visibility

Mercedes-Benz — This campaign is about visibility — lighting, glass, mirrors or displays. These are federal compliance items, not cosmetic ones.

  1. Check the specific item the notice names — a reversing camera or a dashboard display that works intermittently still counts as a defect.
  2. If an instrument cluster goes blank, note when it happens; that detail helps the dealer reproduce the fault.
  3. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.
  4. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.

Costs, reimbursement and your rights

The repair itself is free. What people most often miss is that money already spent can frequently be claimed back.

  • If you paid for the same repair out of pocket before the recall was announced, ask the manufacturer for reimbursement. Carmakers must run a reimbursement plan for pre-notification repairs; you will need the original invoice.
  • An unrepaired open recall can affect a sale or trade-in. Closing it out costs nothing and protects the value of the vehicle.
  • Towing is normally covered where the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and loaner cars or rental reimbursement are often available on long parts delays. Neither is usually offered unless you ask.
  • A dealer may not charge a diagnostic, inspection or shop-supplies fee for recall work. If one appears on the estimate, query it before you sign.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.

Company contact: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Mercedes-Benz electrical system recalled?

The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Check the specific item the notice names — a reversing camera or a dashboard display that works intermittently still counts as a defect.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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