MERCEDES-BENZ Complaints

Back up camera failed to display. This problem has occurred randomly several times in the past.

While driving my 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, the vehicle suddenly shut off and lost propulsion without warning. There was no check-engine light or other warning before the failure. The engine would crank afterward but would not restart, leaving the vehicle disabled. The vehicle has an open NHTSA safety recall (22V-955) involving the fuel pump control unit and potential loss of propulsion. The vehicle is currently at Benzel-Busch Mercedes-Benz for recall inspection and diagnosis. I am reporting this because the sudden loss of propulsion while driving created a serious safety risk.

The center console display (MBUX) on this 2023 EQS 450 4MATIC fails while the vehicle is in use. There is no warning lamp, chime or message first. Sometimes it flickers on and off; other times it goes fully blank and stays blank, unresponsive to touch. Owner video shows the display working and then completely blank 0.4 seconds later. When the screen is blank the rearview backup camera is unavailable. Selecting reverse produces no image at all. The rear camera image appears only on that center screen, so the failure removes the rear visibility required by FMVSS 111 and leaves the driver reversing with no camera view in parking garages, driveways and residential streets. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer has reproduced and confirmed the failure across five visits, from 7,916 miles in August 2025 to 20,789 miles in August 2026, with 28 days out of service. In May 2026 (RO 1410670) the dealer diagnosed fault B159211, a short circuit to ground on the data line between the head unit and the central display, removed the dashboard and replaced a harness. The technician reported that instead of removing the original short-circuited harness he cut off its connector ends, taped the exposed cables and left that harness inside the vehicle. The failure recurred ten weeks later and was recorded on video on 29 July 2026. On the most recent visit (RO 1418392, 26 August to 3 September 2026) the dealer wrote "tech confirmed customer concern," reviewed the video, and recorded fault B162997: the data line between the reversing camera and the head unit has a malfunction. The entire central display was replaced. The defect has survived a software reflash, a harness replacement and a display replacement. This vehicle was previously repurchased by the manufacturer under California lemon law for a defective rearview camera and was certified in writing as fully repaired before resale. The vehicle, the video and all repair orders are available for inspection on request.

My 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is not currently included in NHTSA Recall 22V-261 / Mercedes-Benz Campaign 2022050005, but my vehicle is experiencing substantially the same defect described in that recall. Moisture/water entered the left headlamp assembly/electrical connection, resulting in condensation/water accumulation and damage/corrosion around the headlamp electrical module/connector. The headlamp system subsequently malfunctioned. Recall 22V-261 describes a condition where the headlamp electrical connection may not be watertight, allowing moisture ingress and potentially causing headlamp failure. My vehicle appears to exhibit the same condition even though my VIN is excluded from the recall population. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether the affected population for Recall 22V-261 may need to be expanded.

On June 5 2026, my wife drove the vehicle into the garage. While she was exiting the vehicle with the driver's door open, the vehicle unexpectedly continued moving backward. My wife had to move out of the vehicle's path to avoid being struck or potentially crushed. The vehicle continued moving with the driver's door open, and the open door ultimately became lodged against a structural portion of the garage-door opening. Fortunately, my wife escaped physical injury. The vehicle and driver's-door area, however, sustained substantial damage.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The engine/internal engine components and fuel injection system failed. was stated in video that fuel injector looked fine. cylinder #2, including a burnt valve and damage to the top of the piston. The Mercedes-Benz dealership also stated that it was highly likely that the cylinder #2 potentially by becoming stuck wide open or developing a severely abnormal spray pattern. The failed engine and components may be available for inspection upon request, depending on the current repair status and whether the components have been retained. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The engine experienced a serious internal failure while the vehicle was being driven. The dealership identified a burnt valve and piston damage in cylinder #2 and stated that a mechanical failure of the cylinder #2 fuel injector was highly likely. A catastrophic engine failure while the vehicle is being operated can result in sudden loss of engine power, creating a potential safety risk to the occupants and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The problem was confirmed and diagnosed by a Mercedes-Benz dealership. The dealership performed a borescope inspection, compression testing, and smoke testing. The dealership documented a burnt valve in cylinder #2 and damage to the top of the piston. The dealership also stated that it was highly likely that the cylinder #2 injector had failed mechanically, either by becoming stuck wide open or developing a severely abnormal spray pattern. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by a Mercedes-Benz dealership, which confirmed the internal engine damage.

The roof of the vehicle is rusting just behind the rear sunroof. The vehicle has never been in an accident or damaged. The manufacturer has not pained a significant portion of the roof.

The liftgate on this car is faulty. There are hundreds of reports online that I found when it happened to me, which has been several times now. The liftgate has a sensor that is activated by your foot, but when you are inside the hatch it will trigger and close on you. There is no sensor to stop it from falling and it traps you inside and has hit me on the head, bruised my shoulders and back and I have fallen from being hit by it. I have reported it to Mercedes several times and asked them to at least cover the sensor and they say it's not possible. This is dangerous and it's going to seriously injure or kill somebody younger or more feeble.

While driving on the highway the roof polycarbonate top started to buffet at speed prompting a rapid deceleration of the car for fear of the roof flying off. The car has been evaluated at the Mercedes dealer which stated that the roof was delaminating. I am now unable to drive to convertible with the top up for fear of a mechanical failure placing other motorists at risk of flying debris.

I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the locking/key-detection system in my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] p.m. in Coral Ridge, Fort Lauderdale, I secured my young son in his car seat. My purse, containing the key fob, and my phone were on the front passenger seat. I closed the door and walked around to the driver's side. The vehicle had locked all doors by itself. I did not press the lock button or intentionally lock the vehicle. There were no warning lights, messages, alerts, or other symptoms beforehand. My [XXX] son was trapped inside the locked vehicle, and both my key and phone were also inside, leaving me unable to access him or call for help. I flagged down a passing car, and we ultimately had to break a window to reach him. The vehicle has not been inspected by Mercedes-Benz, a dealer, police, insurance, or an independent service center, and the issue has not been reproduced or confirmed. After replacing the window, I have not attempted to recreate the incident because of the safety risk. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. I am concerned that the vehicle can lock with the key fob inside the passenger side, creating a potentially serious risk if a child or vulnerable occupant is trapped inside, particularly in hot weather or where immediate assistance is unavailable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)