2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 Backup Camera Recall (21V354)

Recall 21V354 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 in recall 21V354?

Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 A 220 with recall 21V354?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the camera.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V354?

Recall 21V354 covers 343,191 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG A35; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA45; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 S; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT53; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63S; 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450; 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 350; 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 580; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS580; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600.

NHTSA lists 343,191 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the A 220 backup camera recall?

Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.

The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

When was recall 21V354 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V354 to NHTSA on May 14, 2021.

This recall was filed 65 months ago. If your A 220 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my A 220 is part of recall 21V354?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V354 is open on your A 220, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V354000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should A 220 owners do about recall 21V354?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V354000 applies to your A 220.
2. Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the camera happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are A 220 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 8 of them about the rearview camera.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 293 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 8 of them involve the rearview camera. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: 66 complaints in total, 1 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350: 48 complaints in total, 1 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450: 30 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250: 29 complaints in total, 2 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250: 18 complaints in total, 2 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53: 16 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: 15 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 350: 13 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The part was not available for the repair.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11441952, filed November 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11455730, filed March 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11503216, filed January 23, 2023

Can recall 21V354 make my A 220 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this camera recall means their A 220 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

A rearview camera that blanks out or freezes is a safety issue because federal rules require a working backup image. Camera problems are often software related, and many owners see them come back after an update.

Because the remedy is an over-the-air update, there may be no repair order unless you take the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 in. If the symptom continues after the update, get it documented at the dealer so it counts.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V354