Mercedes-Benz USA filed a formal recall on May 1, 2026, covering 144,019 vehicles from model years 2024 through 2026. A software bug in the multimedia control unit can trigger an unintended system reset, causing the fully digital instrument cluster to go blank — taking the speedometer, fuel gauge, and warning lights with it. No crashes or injuries have been reported, — per Yahoo Finance / Reuters.
What's going wrong
The multimedia control unit contains software that was originally designed to improve system stability. Under certain conditions it launches a reset sequence as part of its error-recovery routine. During that reset, the instrument cluster loses power momentarily and stops displaying critical driving data. The gap is brief, but losing speed and warning information at highway speeds — or when the fuel level is critically low — creates a genuine safety risk.
Mercedes began pushing a corrected software version via over-the-air (OTA) updates in August 2025, well before the formal recall. About 62% of the 144,019 affected vehicles already received the fix remotely, — per Carscoops. The remaining 38% — roughly 54,700 vehicles — must visit a dealer for the same software update because their hardware configuration does not support OTA delivery. The remedy is software only; no parts are replaced.
Which vehicles are covered
The GLC family accounts for the largest share of affected units, with more than 67,000 vehicles across the GLC 300, GLC 300 4MATIC, GLC 300 4MATIC Coupe, GLC 350e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid, and AMG GLC variants for 2025–2026. The recall also covers:
- C-Class (C 300, C 300 4MATIC, AMG C43, AMG C63 S E) — 2025–2026 - CLE (CLE 300 4MATIC coupe and cabriolet, CLE 450 4MATIC, AMG CLE53) — 2024–2026 - E-Class (E 350, E 350 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain, AMG E53 variants) — 2024–2026 - AMG SL (SL43, SL55 4MATIC+, SL63 4MATIC+, SL63 S E Performance) — 2026 - Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 4MATIC+ — 2026
The recall spans essentially every current Mercedes-Benz model with a fully digital instrument cluster — a feature that replaced analog gauges across the lineup starting with the redesigned 2024 models.
What owners should do
NHTSA will send owner notification letters. The software update is free of charge. Owners who already received an OTA notification last year and accepted it are likely already covered — check your VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm. Those who need a dealer appointment should contact their local Mercedes-Benz retailer to schedule the visit; Mercedes has indicated no parts or extended shop time are required.
