Mercedes has announced a recall of three EQS all-electric sedans due to a rearview mirror problem. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the mirror was insufficiently attached to the windshield, which means it could fall off completely. While this might seem like a small issue, it has wide-ranging impacts on the car’s safety systems.
The rearview mirror housing also contains a camera, which means that if the mirror falls off, the EQS could lose access to several advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, brake assists with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, rain and light sensors, and augmented reality functions. Moreover, Mercedes suggests that the problem could even impair the deployment of airbags.
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Fortunately, this issue is limited to just three EQS 580s from the 2022 model year. Mercedes will replace the windshield and reinstall the camera and rearview mirror assembly in affected vehicles free of charge to the customer. The automaker plans to start contacting the owners of the EQS 580 from April 11.
However, the solution is not as simple as just replacing the windshield. Mercedes technicians will likely need to calibrate the cameras, which can be expensive and difficult to do properly. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety points out that among drivers who had to have their windshields replaced, those with ADAS systems reported more recurring issues following their repairs. Therefore, the three Mercedes owners who will be contacted as part of this recall will likely have to keep a close eye on how well their safety systems are working.
