Mercedes-Benz Recalls 144,049 Vehicles Over Instrument Panel Blanking While Driving

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 144,049 vehicles across the U.S. after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that a software fault in the infotainment control unit can cause the instrument panel display to go completely blank while the vehicle is in motion. The recall covers certain 2024–2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software at no cost.

Quick Facts

• Company/Brand: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA)
• Affected Models: Certain 2024–2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles
• Units Affected: 144,049 U.S. vehicles
• Defect: The infotainment control unit, which is responsible for navigation and multimedia features, may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank
• Date Announced: May 8, 2026
• Geographic Scope: United States nationwide
• NHTSA Campaign Number: TBD — announced May 8, 2026; check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN for the most current campaign details
• Recommended Action: Schedule a free software update at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
• Owner Notification: TBD — owner notification letter mailing date not yet confirmed by MBUSA
• Cost to Owner: Free — dealers will update the infotainment control unit software at no charge
• Official Resources: NHTSA VIN Lookup | Mercedes-Benz USA Recall Portal | MBUSA Customer Assistance Center: 1-800-367-6372

What Is the Problem and How Was It Discovered?

The infotainment control unit — the system responsible for navigation and multimedia features — may reset while the vehicle is in motion, causing the instrument panel display to go blank.

This is a meaningful safety issue, not just a convenience problem. The instrument panel is where drivers see their speed, fuel level, warning indicators, navigation prompts, and critical driver assistance system alerts. When that display goes dark while driving, a driver loses access to all of that information without warning. In prior Mercedes-Benz cases involving blank instrument panels, NHTSA has noted that a blank display fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, “Controls and Displays,” which requires that vehicles display essential operating information to drivers at all times.

The specific cause of the software fault — and how it was discovered — has not yet been detailed in publicly available NHTSA documents as of the recall announcement date. NHTSA confirmed the recall on May 8, 2026. The full Part 573 Safety Recall Report, which will include the complete root cause and discovery timeline, is expected to be posted on NHTSA.gov as the recall process proceeds.

Reported incidents and injuries: No confirmed crashes or injuries related to this defect have been reported in the NHTSA announcement. This article will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall covers certain 2024–2026 model year vehicles across the following lines: AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC.

Not every vehicle within those model lines and years is necessarily affected — only those built within the specific production window identified by Mercedes-Benz. The only reliable way to confirm whether your individual vehicle is included is to check your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) using the tools listed below.

Production date ranges and specific sub-models are TBD — not yet published in the public recall documentation as of May 8, 2026.

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What Should You Do

Follow these steps now if you own a 2024, 2025, or 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, or GLC:

1. Check your VIN immediately. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls or mbusa.com/en/recall and enter your 17-digit VIN. Your VIN appears on your vehicle registration, insurance card, and on a plate visible through the lower driver’s side windshield.
   
2. Contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. If your VIN is flagged, call your dealer to schedule the free software update. If the NHTSA lookup does not yet show your vehicle, check again in a few days — VINs are typically added to the database within days of the official recall announcement.
   
3. Schedule the free software update. Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software at no cost. No parts replacement is required — this is a software-only remedy. Ask your dealer for an estimated appointment time.
   
4. Drive with extra caution until the fix is done. If your display goes blank while driving, slow down safely, pull over when it is safe to do so, and turn the vehicle off and back on. Do not attempt to diagnose or restart the system while in motion.
   
5. Watch for your owner notification letter. MBUSA will mail recall notification letters to registered owners. If your address on file with the DMV is outdated, update it so the letter reaches you.
   
6. Call MBUSA with questions. Reach the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-367-6372 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153).

Regulatory & Legal Context

NHTSA, the federal agency that oversees motor vehicle safety, announced this recall on May 8, 2026. NHTSA oversees all safety recalls for vehicles sold in the United States and maintains the searchable database at nhtsa.gov where owners can look up open recalls by VIN.

No class action lawsuits related to this specific recall have been announced as of the publication date. This article will be updated if litigation is filed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which vehicles are affected by this recall? 

Certain 2024–2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles — totaling 144,049 units in the U.S. Specific sub-models and production date ranges are TBD pending publication of the full NHTSA recall report.

How do I know if my specific vehicle is included?

 Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or mbusa.com/en/recall. Not every vehicle in these model lines is affected — only those within the specific production dates Mercedes-Benz identified. Your VIN is the only definitive way to confirm.

What exactly is the safety risk? 

The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank. A blank instrument panel removes critical driving information — speed, fuel level, warning lights, navigation — from view without warning, creating a risk of a crash.

What if my display already went blank while driving? 

If you experienced this issue before the recall was announced, document the incident date and location. When you bring your vehicle in for the free software update, inform your dealer. If you believe you experienced a crash or near-crash related to the display failure, you can file a complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

How do I get the free repair? 

Call your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule an appointment for the infotainment control unit software update. There is no cost to owners — dealers will perform the update at no charge.

Who regulates this recall and where can I find official information? 

NHTSA — the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — oversees this recall. Official information is available at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Mercedes-Benz USA’s recall portal is at mbusa.com/en/recall.

Can Mercedes-Benz push this fix over the air (OTA), or do I have to go to a dealer? 

Based on the NHTSA announcement, dealers will perform the software update. There is no indication an over-the-air update is available for this recall. Contact your dealer or call 1-800-367-6372 to confirm the remedy procedure for your specific vehicle.

Is there any immediate action I need to take before my dealer appointment?

 No immediate park order has been issued. However, if you notice the instrument panel going blank while driving, pull over safely when you can. Stay alert to any warning indicators before the display fails, and consider limiting highway driving until the software update has been completed.

Last Updated: May 8, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only. Always follow official recall guidance from Mercedes-Benz USA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Check nhtsa.gov/recallsregularly for the most current recall status for your vehicle.