Mercedes Recalls 12K For Software That Can Cause Engine Shut Down

Mercedes-Benz is issuing a recall for certain 2016-2017 GLE43 AMG Coupe and 2017 GLE43 AMG vehicles due to the need of a software update. According to the company, those vehicles have an engine control software that doesn't correspond to current specifications.

Depending on the road situation, the defective software could shutdown the 3.0-liter V6 biturbo engine of the SUVs, for example, just before vehicle stop. In addition, a high engine load combined with an insufficient accelerator pedal actuation could "lead to an engine shutdown following an ECO start."

Mercedes explains the problem is caused by "consecutive transmission downshifts during braking," when the engine speed could drop below the required threshold "due to the interaction between the engine and transmission control units." Apparently, a software update of the engine control units fixes that issue.

If an engine shutdown occurs, the driver will be notified through warning lamps on the instrument cluster that the vehicle is not in ECO start-stop mode and needs to be restarted manually. Depending on the traffic situation, "an unintentional engine shut-down could increase the risk of a crash," the German manufacturer says, hence the recall.

The affected 12,322 vehicles will receive updated software not only for the engine, but for the transmission as well, of course, free of charge. Owners will be notified in early September. Mercedes-Benz says that GLE43 AMG and GLE43 AMG Coupe vehicles, produced from May 2 onwards, are not affected, as they already feature optimized software.

Earlier this month, the automaker upgraded the U.S.-specification of the 3.0 V6 unit and now it delivers 385 horsepower, matching the power of its European counterpart. In the aforementioned models, affected by the recall, the motor is mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox, sending power to all four wheels through Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.