Daimler has to recall 60,000 Mercedes Benz GLK 220 diesel vehicles to the workshops. As part of the investigations into pollutant and exhaust gas strategies at various manufacturers, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has established an inadmissible defeat device for models of the type with the engine OM 651 of the pollutant category Euro 5, informed the Federal Ministry of Transport on Saturday on request. It was ordered by decision of Friday a mandatory recall with immediate execution. Since other models could be affected, the KBA has already extended the investigations to the models with the engines OM 651 and OM 642.
Daimler said that it considered that the functionality in question was acceptable. The company will therefore appeal against the decision. Irrespective of this, Daimler will implement the ordered measure of the KBA and continue to fully cooperate with the KBA.
Daimler announces opposition, investigation is to be extended
According to “Bild am Sonntag”, which first reported on the recall, numerous models such as the C and E-Class could be affected by the expanded investigations, with a total of more than 700,000 vehicles. The controversial software function, according to the article, is a so-called “desired coolant temperature control”. It keeps the coolant circuit artificially colder, delays the warm-up of the engine oil and ensures that the statutory test cycle adheres to the limit value for nitrogen oxides of 180 milligrams per kilometer.
In the road mode, however, the function is deactivated and the limit is exceeded, writes the sheet. Similar software features had also played a role in the Volkswagen exhaust emissions scandal.
Daimler has long been in the sights of the authority. In the spring, the KBA had initiated a hearing against the carmaker on suspicion of an “inadmissible shut-off device”. In autumn 2018, the office came across the controversial software function of the OM 651 engine.
la / reuters