GLA 200 Reverse Camera calibration every time you start

[Hollington]

Received updated Mercedes t&c via email today. I thought at first New Features provided a means of attacking the camera problem until I read through and found you can’t provide feedback on ‘safety’ features. Why not? and they have already stated camera calibration is a safety function.
Copy -
New In-Car App.
With the Feedback App,
customers can now give
their feedback on
selected apps & services
via the MBUX
infotainment system
directly from their
vehicle. There is an
option for taking part in
Mercedes-Benz surveys.
The Feedback service
allows you to provide
feedback on various
vehicle and software
functions. It is also
possible to take part in
surveys to which you will
be invited via
notification. Please note
that we only process
feedback that is not
safety-relevant. For
safety-relevant feedback,
please only contact the
service hotline.

Yes, I received the same Email today and came to the same conclusion as you.

 

[Hollington]

I have been complaining to MB on a regular basis about this camera fault, probably wasting my time, here is their latest response.

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the noisy deployment and retraction of the camera on your vehicle.We have reviewed the matter with our technical team, and they have informed us that this noise is not considered a bug but is, in fact, a standard feature of the camera system. At this time, there are no software updates being developed to address this issue.

 

[sau71]

I am from Australia, recently purchased the new 2024 A200, I have the same problem of the rear camera noise too!! Very very annoying with the camera open and close while driving. I google about that in Australia and seems no one post anything though but I found alot of Mercedes car owners here from UK having the same issue!!! Don't know is this problem happen in world wide.

I have complained to the dealership, dropped my car back and sort of they have applied insulation to make the noise less, but still there!!!

Just wondering has anyone got the problem solved???

The noise is killing me!!

 

[fourwheels]

I have been complaining to MB on a regular basis about this camera fault, probably wasting my time, here is their latest response.

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the noisy deployment and retraction of the camera on your vehicle.We have reviewed the matter with our technical team, and they have informed us that this noise is not considered a bug but is, in fact, a standard feature of the camera system. At this time, there are no software updates being developed to address this issue.

At least you got a reply. I’ve been complaining to MB every 3-4 weeks since April. Always get an almost immediate reply promising a further reply within 5 days - then nothing!

 

[fourwheels]

I am from Australia, recently purchased the new 2024 A200, I have the same problem of the rear camera noise too!! Very very annoying with the camera open and close while driving. I google about that in Australia and seems no one post anything though but I found alot of Mercedes car owners here from UK having the same issue!!! Don't know is this problem happen in world wide.

I have complained to the dealership, dropped my car back and sort of they have applied insulation to make the noise less, but still there!!!

Just wondering has anyone got the problem solved???

The noise is killing me!!

Hi. Welcome to the forum. You will find a friendly bunch of people on here able to solve most problems - except this one.
Mines a GLA but same problem. MB seem deaf to the issue.
Pleased your dealer has added insulation. I have read that that has been tried by dealers in the USA, unfortunately they seem unwilling to add insulation here in the UK.
It would seem that in the main GLA owners are pleased with their cars but there are also small groups in most countries that are beyond annoyed with the ridiculous camera system. So it may be related to certain options on the car, or certain models.
MB seem to consider it as part of car safety and are immune, and deaf, to criticism.

 

[fourwheels]

As a side issue I found today that I can’t analyse the chassis number/VIN number using online VIN decoders.
It’s correct on the windscreen, door pillar and registration documents but shows up as ‘Not Available’ on commercial decoders.
It does read correctly on the Dealers decoder and not unnaturally they are not interested in third party companies.
I have to assume though that somehow someone at MB issued an incorrect number into the system.

 

[markjay]

As a side issue I found today that I can’t analyse the chassis number/VIN number using online VIN decoders.
It’s correct on the windscreen, door pillar and registration documents but shows up as ‘Not Available’ on commercial decoders.
It does read correctly on the Dealers decoder and not unnaturally they are not interested in third party companies.
I have to assume though that somehow someone at MB issued an incorrect number into the system.

If you have an Android phone, try this app (it may also be available for iPhone, I don't know):

It searches several different databases online.

 

[fourwheels]

@markjay Thanks. Will try tomorrow and let you know.

 

[fourwheels]

Post deleted

 

[fourwheels]

Seems failed VIN searches are quite common.
I don’t want to distract this reversing camera thread which is more important, so I will leave it there. Thank you.

 

[fourwheels]

@Hollington
More complaints about the GLA reversing camera on a Facebook page over the weekend so I set about updating my background knowledge via Google and was stunned to read of so many (big $) fines against Mercedes in the USA.

No wonder that cars cost so much if they are paying off big $ fines for things like wiper failure, and recall procedure.

The camera issue seems to revolve around newish legislation as follows (2 articles):

Linkedin article:
Demystifying NHTSA FMVSS 111: Unveiling the Backup Camera Revolution
By Hemanth Chakravarthy Mudduluru
Team Lead - Eng’g Supervisor, Project Manager, Product Owner (AD & ADAS) Software
Published Feb 6, 2024

Ensuring a clear view behind your vehicle is crucial for safe driving. In 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) significantly altered the landscape of rear visibility with an amendment to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111. This amendment, driven by the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act, paved the way for backup cameras as a viable alternative to traditional mirrors in light vehicles under 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight.

Key Points of the FMVSS 111 Amendment:

• Compliance Options: Manufacturers gained the flexibility to equip new vehicles with either traditional rearview mirrors or a rearview camera system that meets specific performance criteria.
• Field of View: The camera system must provide a view directly behind the vehicle that encompasses a horizontal angle of at least 20 degrees and a vertical angle of at least 10 degrees. This ensures a wider viewing area compared to some traditional mirrors.
• Display Requirements: The camera image must be displayed on a monitor located within the driver's field of view, typically integrated into the dashboard or rearview mirror. Specific display size and brightness requirements ensure clarity and ease of viewing.
• Activation Trigger: The camera system must automatically activate whenever the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear, providing immediate visual assistance during backing maneuvers.

Impact of the Amendment:
This amendment had a profound impact on the automotive industry:

• Increased Safety: Studies suggest backup cameras significantly reduce backover crashes, which often involve young children. Improved visibility behind the vehicle leads to swifter hazard detection and reaction times.
• Technological Advancements: The amendment spurred rapid development and integration of high-quality backup camera systems, contributing to wider adoption and affordability.
• Consumer Preferences: Backup cameras have become a highly sought-after feature, with many consumers now considering them essential for safe driving.

———-
CR Consumer Report article:

This refers to fines against Mercedes (and I think from memory a ban on sales for a while)

Mercedes-Benz Cars and SUVs Recalled Because Rearview Camera Image May Not Display
(The issue stems from a software problem)

Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 126,000 sedans and SUVs from the 2018 through 2021 model years to address a safety issue with the rearview camera. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a software error may prevent the image from the rearview camera being properly displayed. This means that the affected vehicles do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, which covers “Rear Visibility.”

In documents provided to NHTSA, Mercedes-Benz says that the problem was first reported in 2018 by owners of commercial vans who experienced this condition. After delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and additional internal and market reviews, Mercedes-Benz determined this condition affected its passenger vehicles.

When the issue occurs, the driver might notice that the central display would either continue to display the existing image or display a black screen with a message indicating the rearview camera is not working properly.

The automaker says that it identified eight cases in the U.S. from December 2018 through August 2021. Mercedes-Benz has not received any reports of crashes or injuries associated with the problem.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations, a “rearview camera image that might not be available within 2.0 seconds (as required by FMVSS 111 S5.5.3) as the vehicle begins to back up might impair rear visibility which might increase the risk of a crash.”

——-
Given the huge fines and penalties imposed it’s understandable that Mercedes took drastic action to correct and check that the reversing camera works correctly on every startup.

They do seem to have taken a sledge hammer to crack a nut though and why calibrate on forward travel?

Seems it’s an issue on all models across the world although E class owners report the noise is annoying but quieter so they probably have more insulation than the GLA.

Probably forced to use the standard camera transport system which was never designed to be deployed continuously.

What is difficult to understand is why Mercedes have refused to acknowledge complaints or even issue an explanation note to customers.

 

[markjay]

Do the affected models actually have a digital rear view camera?

 

[fourwheels]

Do the affected models actually have a digital rear view camera?

Back in May I found an American website that suggested sales of Mercedes in the USA had been halted pending a solution to a camera problem. Can’t locate that site now but I think I saved this screenshot

 

[jowhax]

Reporting from the Netherlands with the same issue on an MB A-Class 2024 (new facelift model).

It’s extremely annoying to have to calibrate the system every time I turn on the car. Calibration is impossible at night due to low light.

I’ve taken the vehicle to MB twice. They said they checked it and performed some software updates, but the issue persists—it’s been a year.

This will be my first and last time buying from MB.

 

[fourwheels]

Reporting from the Netherlands with the same issue on an MB A-Class 2024 (new facelift model).

It’s extremely annoying to have to calibrate the system every time I turn on the car. Calibration is impossible at night due to low light.

I’ve taken the vehicle to MB twice. They said they checked it and performed some software updates, but the issue persists—it’s been a year.

This will be my first and last time buying from MB.

As per my previous posts it is clear that Mercedes have been fined a lot of money in the USA because of the camera not working.
I can’t see them ever listening to the customer.

 

[markjay]

- The camera calibration is a necessity due to EU legislation.

- The rusty wheel bolts are dues to the use of harsh chemicals when cleaning the wheels.

- The front passenger seat occupancy sensor can fail because it is a sensitive electric-mechanical device and it is subject to wear over time.

- The wires in the wing mirror can break because the loom is subject to wear as a result of the repeated fold-unfold action.

- The AdBlue system can fail because it is a very complex system, required in order to meet emissions standards under EU and US legislation.

It all makes perfect sense. I just want to ask: Why does it not happen to cars made by other manufacturers? Why does it only happen to MB cars?

 

[ALFAitalia]

I think all of those things except the camera calibration happen on many other cars....I've had a few of those on my Alfa and other cars I've worked on.

 

[John N]

Is there anyone out there with a 2021 onwards GLB that has this "Calibration Problem"? Mine doesn't! So I'm wondering what the Difference in the Software is!

I COULD, trawl through all of the Posts, but I'm a lazy Git!

 

[fourwheels]

I wonder that. Why are so many GLA owners delighted with their cars while others are distraught with the camera?
Has your GLB got the 360 deg camera?
Or did this calibration come in with a vengeance on 2024 models only?

 

[jowhax]

Yeah, the need for camera calibration every time you start the vehicle is just bonkers.

I’ve owned Audi, Land Rover, and BMW cars with parking assist and cameras—none of them had this issue.