On a recent drive, my 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350 VIN: [XXX] suffered a catastrophic safety hazard involving a complete loss of drive power and sudden engine shutdown while operating at highway speeds. I had to navigate across active highway lanes with no engine propulsion to reach safety. Simultaneously, the vehicle experienced a widespread failure of its master interior electrical grid. The driver's power seat became permanently frozen in a fully reclined position while driving, creating an immediate driver-ergonomic safety hazard. Multiple interior USB charging ports and the passenger-side power seat also lost power entirely. This combination of engine stalling and localized interior electronic failure strongly aligns with NHTSA Recall 24V-115, which involves faulty 80-Amp fuses in the main fuse box causing a loss of propulsion. The vehicle also currently displays an open, unresolved safety recall for its airbag systems. The manufacturer's dealership is attempting to charge multiple diagnostic fees to investigate these interconnected issues rather than processing them under an active safety campaign. I am filing this report to document a severe, active propulsion failure in the field that represents an immediate threat to life and highway safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI 11739972