Mercedes-Benz is launching a large-scale recall due to a potential problem with eCall, the automatic emergency call system. In total, this concerns more than 1 million vehicles. Most of it is in America, but cars in Europe may also have this problem.
The problem with eCall is communication with the emergency services. Due to the problem, it may happen that the emergency call does not get through or that the emergency services are sent to the wrong location. Mercedes-Benz Nederland wants exactly how many cars are involved in the Netherlands Techzle not lost. In any case, the affected models are widespread across the range of Das Haus, because it concerns the CLA, GLA, GLE, GLS, E-class, S-class and the SLC from construction years 2017 to 2020.
Initially, an attempt is made to solve the problem via an over-the-air update of the software of the eCall system. If that does not work, the car has to go to the workshop to carry out the update. That process takes about half an hour. Owners of affected cars will be notified automatically. Incidentally, according to Mercedes-Benz, no serious problems have yet occurred due to the problem with eCall.
Effective?
At the end of last year, the ADAC, the German equivalent of the ANWB, argued in favor of making eCall mandatory as the standard emergency call system. Now all new cars in Europe must be equipped with an emergency call system as standard, but that can also come from the manufacturer itself. However, these are not always as effective as eCall, according to the ADAC. However, the problem at Mercedes-Benz shows that manufacturers are still largely responsible for the proper functioning of the system.