NHTSA Recall 26V281000: Mercedes-Benz Blank Instrument Display

What the recall covers

Recall 26V281000 covers 144,049 model year 2024–2026 Mercedes-Benz vehicles across a wide range of lines (including AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, CLE, GLC, and SL). The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion, causing the instrument panel to go blank without warning — so critical information such as the speedometer and warning lights can temporarily disappear, increasing crash risk.

The remedy

Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were expected to mail by June 26, 2026.

What owners should do now

• Watch for your Mercedes-Benz owner-notification letter and schedule the free software update once available.
• Confirm whether your specific VIN is affected — the recall spans many models but not every vehicle.
• Keep your recall letter and every repair order.
• If the display blanks repeatedly even after the update, document it and save the paperwork.
• If your vehicle is out of service for an extended time, note those dates.

How to check your VIN

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is included by entering the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or mbusa.com. Inclusion is VIN-specific, not just by model and year.

Mercedes-Benz USA customer service: 800-367-6372. NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236.

When this recall can become a California lemon law claim

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free fix. Your Mercedes-Benz may qualify under California's Lemon Law if the recall repair is significantly delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects. In those cases you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees. For the full breakdown, see the guides below.