Almost two years ago it became known that the Mercedes Sprinter had also been hit by the emissions scandal. In October 2019, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) ordered a comprehensive recall for models of the Mercedes Sprinter with the OM 651 diesel engine and the Euro 5 emissions standard so that an inadmissible defeat device could be removed. The software update is now available and Daimler calls the affected vehicles to the workshop under the code NC3II651 5R.
As Daimler announced in the cover letter, the update is intended to change specific calibrations of the engine management system that the KBA has assessed as inadmissible. As emerged from a request by the “Greens” in the Bundestag in November 2019, the KBA qualified the so-called coolant setpoint temperature control as an inadmissible shutdown device. It has the effect that nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced in test mode. Under normal road conditions, however, the function is hardly active, so that nitrogen oxide emissions rise again.
It is uncertain what effects a software update will have on consumption, engine performance or wear and tear, for example, even if Daimler assures that the update will not lead to any “relevant” deviations. Since this is a mandatory recall by the KBA, the owners must have the update installed if they do not want to risk losing their vehicle’s registration.
However, there is also the possibility of asserting claims for damages. The coolant setpoint temperature control is used not only in the Sprinter, but also in numerous other Mercedes models. The KBA has therefore ordered various recalls. Daimler continues to take the position that the functions complained of are permissible and is suing the recalls. The dishes are hardly impressed by that. “In addition to numerous regional courts, the higher regional courts in Cologne and Naumburg have also sentenced Daimler to compensation for deliberate damage caused by immoral behavior in the emissions scandal. In the Mercedes emissions scandal, too, case law is becoming increasingly consumer-friendly, ”says lawyer Dr. Ingo Gasser, cooperation partner of the IG Diesel Scandal.
More information: https://www.ingogasser.de/mercedes-abgasskandal/
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