2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 Engine Control Module Software Recall (21V843)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · 8,669 vehicles · Reported October 29, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is recalling 8,669 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 vehicles. An engine control unit software error may cause a sudden engine stall, without the ability to restart the vehicle. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V843 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V843000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 2022010002 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 29, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 |
| Units affected | 8,669 |
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling > Engine > Engine Control Module (Ecu / Ecm) > Software |
| Safety risk | An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 in recall 21V843?
An engine control unit software error may cause a sudden engine stall, without the ability to restart the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S580 and Maybach S580 vehicles. An engine control unit software error may cause a sudden engine stall, without the ability to restart the vehicle.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 S 580 with recall 21V843?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your S 580 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the software, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V843?
Recall 21V843 covers 8,669 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580.
NHTSA lists 8,669 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | S 580 |
What is the fix for the S 580 engine control module software recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge.
Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Manufacturer recall number: 2022010002.
When was recall 21V843 announced?
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V843 to NHTSA on October 29, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V843000. |
| January 28, 2022 | Letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 59 months ago. If your S 580 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my S 580 is part of recall 21V843?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V843 is open on your S 580, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 S 580 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should S 580 owners do about recall 21V843?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V843000 applies to your S 580.
- Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the software happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are S 580 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 7 of them about the engine.
Since recall 21V843 was reported on October 29, 2021, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the engine and were received on or after October 29, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related engine issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 33 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 7 of them involve the engine. 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 S 580: 33 complaints in total, 7 about the engine
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The vehicle lost acceleration and the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to Mercedes dealership. They quoted that the Camtronic actuator has failed and needs to be replaced. Cost $9000. I have now seen online a recall for 2021 mercedes s580's for CAMTRONIC actuator failure issue.
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 owner, KY, NHTSA complaint 11736544, filed May 8, 2026
Background: This is a V-8, gas vehicle.The 12-volt battery gives CRITICAL CHARGE notifications constantly. Incident: Dry pavement, 400-mile, January winter night, highway driving in Wisconsin Northwoods at posted 70 mph; some with cruise control, some without cruise control. Seat belt was in use.
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11449057, filed January 27, 2022
Similar to recall campagn #2017020018 or 17V-078. My car may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module. If the internal circuit board is damaged, moving the shift lever will not select a transmission gear.
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11527740, filed June 19, 2023
Can recall 21V843 make my S 580 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 software recall means their S 580 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)).
An engine problem that leaves you stranded, or that keeps lighting up the check engine light after a repair, is the kind of defect that can substantially impair a vehicle's use, value or safety.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the S 580 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
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.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your S 580 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Mercedes-Benz S 580 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V843
Did the recall 21V843 fix work?
Since recall 21V843 was reported on October 29, 2021, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V843000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my S 580 is part of recall 21V843000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
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.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V843000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Mercedes-Benz. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.