Mercedes Benz will be contacting a small number of S550 Hybrid owners about a problem affecting certain S-Class, C-Class, and M-Class vehicles. According to reports, the circuit board in the high voltage outboard charger may have been manufactured with circuit electrical connections that are too thin. The connection could break and leave the external charging function unavailable and/or the high voltage outboard charger may incorrectly detect the charging cable while the car is being driven.

An incorrect charging cable detection would try to shift the transmission in “Park” and could abruptly stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident. Mercedes dealers will replace the on-board charger free of charge. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.