Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz
Basic information
Founded	1926
Legal Structure	Subsidiary
Industry	Automotive
Also known as
Official website	https://www.mercedes-benz.com/

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Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive manufacturer founded in 1926 and is based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Consumer impact summary

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

User freedom
User privacy
Business model
Market control

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Some Mercedes models have features that are taken away and/or disabled shortly after their sale.

Diagnostic software availability

Modern Mercedes vehicles require access to the proprietary diagnostic platform, XENTRY, for many repairs and maintenance procedures. Mercedes-Benz officially restricts XENTRY diagnostic systems and online SCN coding rights to authorized dealerships and registered independent service providers (ISPs). Private individuals generally cannot buy official, full-feature factory access.

Incidents

Subscription required for EQS rear-wheel steering (2021)

In July 2021, Mercedes-Benz announced in Europe that it would cost €489 ($575) annually to unlock the full capabilities of the rear wheels.^[1] By default, all Mercedes-Benz vehicles have the hardware capability to do full 10-degree rear-wheel steering; however, they are software-locked to 4.5 degrees without payment.

Subscription required for performance "Acceleration Increase" (2023)

In April 2023, Mercedes-Benz announced that it would charge $60-90/month or $600-$900/year for 60-80 horsepower increases (e.g. EQE 350: 288hp → 348hp, EQS 450: 355hp → 435hp).^[2] This was done through software-locking the cars despite the cars having the hardware capability to have higher horsepower.

App for Smart brand disabled (2025)

In February 2025, Mercedes-Benz switched off support for the accompanying app for some of their Smart brand car models after a very short time, even though the cars were almost brand new.^[3] In the comments of the linked article, user Norbert Endres mentioned the same thing happening for the previous model Smart ED 451 in 2019. According to him, the company hotline suggested he buy a new car of model Smart EQ 453 to resolve the problem when he confronted them. Another user complained about a similar incident where all digital features were disabled in the premium class models of the series E-Klasse 212.

Products

S212 300E Bluetec Hybrid (2015)

References

↑ Tsui, Chris (26 Jul 2021). "Full Rear-Wheel Steering on Mercedes EQS Will Be $575 Annual Subscription in Germany: Report". The Drive. Archived from the original on 12 Nov 2025. Retrieved 20 Aug 2025.
↑ Stafford, Eric (26 Apr 2023). "Mercedes Reveals EQE and EQS 'Acceleration Increase' Subscription Pricing". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 20 Aug 2025.
↑ Kunkel, Christina (18 Feb 2025). "Wie Mercedes seine Smart-Kunden verärgert" [How Mercedes angers its "Smart" costumers]. Sueddeutsche Zeitung (in Deutsch). Archived from the original on 7 Nov 2025. Retrieved 24 Jun 2026.

[1] Tsui, Chris (26 Jul 2021). "Full Rear-Wheel Steering on Mercedes EQS Will Be $575 Annual Subscription in Germany: Report". The Drive. Archived from the original on 12 Nov 2025. Retrieved 20 Aug 2025.

[2] Stafford, Eric (26 Apr 2023). "Mercedes Reveals EQE and EQS 'Acceleration Increase' Subscription Pricing". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 20 Aug 2025.

[3] Kunkel, Christina (18 Feb 2025). "Wie Mercedes seine Smart-Kunden verärgert" [How Mercedes angers its "Smart" costumers]. Sueddeutsche Zeitung (in Deutsch). Archived from the original on 7 Nov 2025. Retrieved 24 Jun 2026.

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