2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300 Infotainment Software Recall (24V688)

Recall 24V688 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300 in recall 24V688?

A software error in the MBUX multimedia system may deactivate certain vehicle systems, including the cross-traffic alert that applies the brakes automatically in certain driving situations.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 CLE 300 Convertible, CLE 300 Coupe, CLE 450 Convertible, CLE 450 Coupe, E 350, E 450 Station Wagon, E 450, and AMG CLE 53 Coupe vehicles. A software error in the MBUX multimedia system may deactivate certain vehicle systems, including the cross-traffic alert that applies the brakes automatically in certain driving situations.

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 2024 Cle 300 with recall 24V688?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An automatic emergency braking system that does not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: An automatic emergency braking system that does not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Cle 300 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 24V688?

Recall 24V688 covers 2,025 vehicles: 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53; 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300; 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 450; 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 350; 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450.

NHTSA lists 2,025 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Cle 300 infotainment software recall?

Yes. Dealers will update the MBUX multimedia system software and parking control unit settings, free of charge.

Dealers will update the MBUX multimedia system software and parking control unit settings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2024. This is a phased recall, phase 1 owner letters will be mailed November 12, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 14, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

When was recall 24V688 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 24V688 to NHTSA on September 13, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as November 1, 2024.

This recall was filed 24 months ago. If your Cle 300 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Cle 300 is part of recall 24V688?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V688 is open on your Cle 300, 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 2024 Cle 300 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 Cle 300 owners do about recall 24V688?

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 24V688000 applies to your Cle 300.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
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 Cle 300 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the electrical system.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the electrical system have been filed since recall 24V688 was reported (1) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 12 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the electrical system. 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.

• 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 350: 5 complaints in total, 2 about the electrical system
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300: 5 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450: 2 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 450: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system

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

The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the infotainment center and instrument panel were no longer illuminated. The contact stated that the driver’s side door latch failed to securely close the door. The door latch had failed three times within a month.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E 350 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11642218, filed February 12, 2025

Main instrument cluster and infotainment system locked up during driving after dark, the screens froze and then went black. All exterior lights went out during driving. No speedometer or other warning lights are working.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E 350 owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11614116, filed September 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Active Emergency Assistance Imperative" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that a software update was required. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11596505, filed June 25, 2024

Can recall 24V688 make my Cle 300 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.

Recall 24V688000 does not automatically make your Cle 300 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

Intermittent electrical problems are a frequent source of repeat repair visits: the dealer cannot reproduce the fault, the owner brings the 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300 back, and the problem shows up again.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

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 24V688