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Electrics and electronics

Problems with the eCall system: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 31 faults with the eCall system in 30 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: fire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4) (Ford Kuga III), front door wiring poorly routed, with possible failure of restraints, unlocking and eCall (2018 production) (Mercedes-Benz Clase G W463A) and honda Accord VIII airbag module recall (June 2015) (Honda Accord VIII). At an independent garage, the repair costs from €0 to €0 depending on the engine or car.[1][2]

Documented faults
31
12 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
30
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
30
car generations in our database
Garage repair
€0
Depending on engine and car, including VAT

4 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

eCall system

eCall, mandatory on new cars type-approved in the European Union since 2018, automatically calls 112 after a serious accident and sends the car's position. Several manufacturers have run campaigns because the system might not call or might send incorrect data.

What to do

If a warning about the emergency call system appears, take it to the official dealer: it does not affect driving, but eCall might not work in an accident. Use the VIN to check whether your car has an outstanding update.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the eCall system. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the eCall system by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: CommonFord Kuga IIIFire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4)The cells of the Kuga PHEV's high-voltage battery (made by Samsung SDI) can suffer an internal short circuit because of a damaged separator, with a risk of power loss and fire; Ford has recalled units built between August 2019 and November 2023.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase G W463AFront door wiring poorly routed, with possible failure of restraints, unlocking and eCall (2018 production)Yes: a recall affected 11,528 G-Class from 2018 because the front door wiring may have been poorly routed and could limit restraint systems, unlocking after a crash or the eCall position. The harness is checked and replaced if necessary.
  3. 3High severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Accord VIIIHonda Accord VIII airbag module recall (June 2015)According to the fiches-auto.fr page, in June 2015 there was a recall to replace an airbag cartridge in more than 25,000 vehicles. We have not been able to confirm the exact scope for Spain or the campaign number with an official source.
  4. 4High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Sorento IVeCall system may not send the VIN after an impactYes: Sorento and Sorento Hybrid (MQ4) units built between June and December 2020 were recalled (Safety Gate alert 6/2021, 5,738 units) because, after an airbag deployment, the eCall could fail to transmit the VIN to the emergency centre, which could delay rescue.
  5. 5High severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda KamiqThe eCall system might not place a call after an accident because of non-compliant software (campaign 91W7)Yes: Škoda recalled Kamiqs from certain 2019 batches (campaign 91W7) because the software of the eCall communication module did not comply with the regulations and the emergency call button might not work.Repair: €0
  6. 6High severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda ScalaeCall system might not call in an accident because of non-compliant software (campaign 91W7)Yes: Škoda recalled Scalas from certain 2019 batches (campaign 91W7) because the software of the eCall communication module did not comply with regulations and the emergency call button might not work.Repair: €0
  7. 7High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Golf VIIIEmergency call assistant (eCall) fault and halt on deliveries in 2020Yes: in May 2020 Volkswagen halted deliveries of new Golf 8s because the emergency call assistant (eCall) might not work due to a software fault in the connectivity unit. Deliveries resumed on 4 June 2020 after an update, and some 15,000 units already delivered in Germany were recalled to have it installed.Repair (garage): €0
  8. 8Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord PumaeCall system software faults and instrument cluster updateFord has recalled the Puma twice (2021 and 2022) over a software fault that could leave the eCall emergency call system inoperative, and in 2024 over an update to the digital instrument cluster software.
  9. 9Critical severityFrequency: RareFord Fiesta VRecall over the rear seat belt mounting (limited series)Ford recalled a limited series of the Fiesta V over a problem with the mounting of the rear seat belts, according to fiches-auto.fr, with no further detail on dates or chassis numbers.
  10. 10Critical severityFrequency: RareFord Mondeo IIIDriver's airbag recall (2006-2007 cars)According to the KBA (the German vehicle authority), a fault in the driver's airbag gas generator can cause an uncontrolled rupture on deployment and metal fragments to be projected, which could injure the occupants. Mondeo III cars built in 2006 and 2007 are affected.
  11. 11Critical severityFrequency: RareKia XCeedRecall for a seat belt pretensioner defect (2021-2022)On Kia XCeed units built between November 2021 and February 2022, a defect in the front seat belt pretensioner can cause it to activate incorrectly in a collision, according to a May 2022 recall reported by Fiches-auto.fr.
  12. 12Critical severityFrequency: RareOpel Vectra CFront airbag recall (code KU3, 2005-2008 cars)In 2026 Opel recalled Vectra C cars built between 22 June 2005 and 10 October 2008 (campaign code KU3): the structure of the front airbag can deteriorate and, if it deploys, fragments of the gas generator may break off and injure the occupants.
  13. 13Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia Logan IIIData communication module and eCall emergency call faultA software update error can cause the data communication module to restart abruptly and leave the eCall emergency call out of action. It affects 4,804 Logans built between 11 March and 11 May 2021.
  14. 14Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Focus IVSoftware faults in the eCall and rear cameraThere are software recalls for the Focus IV over a fault in the telematics unit that could prevent the eCall emergency call (production until October 2024), and over a rear camera that could freeze the image (2020-2025).
  15. 15Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Kuga IIIAutomatic high-beam system fault (recall 16753R)A fault in the driver-assistance control unit can make the automatic high beams switch on or off without the driver deciding it, dazzling other road users; Ford issued a recall in 2026 for several models, including the Kuga.
  16. 16Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Kona IThe eCall system may not transmit the VIN correctlyOn cars built between September and December 2020, the eCall automatic emergency call system might not correctly transmit the vehicle's VIN to the emergency services.
  17. 17Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Santa Fe IVeCall unit without the chassis number registered on 2020 unitsYes: a Safety Gate alert from January 2021 states that on some Santa Fes and Tucsons built between August and November 2020 the chassis number (VIN) is not registered in the eCall unit, so that information cannot be transmitted when an airbag deploys and the system malfunctions.
  18. 18Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLexus UXeCall system failure: communications module (DCM) not activated or failing to restartYes: the UX has had three eCall recalls between 2019 and 2023: a system not activated from the factory, a system that might not work when needed, and a communications module (DCM) that left eCall out of service by not restarting after a software fault.
  19. 19Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz SLC R172Defective software of the emergency call communication module (eCall)Yes: Mercedes-Benz has corrected the communication module of the SLC's eCall system by software. Safety Gate (2019) warns that a voice connection to the emergency centre might not be established or vehicle data might not be transmitted, and the DVSA records other similar campaigns in 2020 and 2021.
  20. 20Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota C-HR ISoftware fault that can leave the eCall emergency call system inoperativeA software error in the communications module (DCM) can prevent it from restarting after an abrupt shutdown, leaving the eCall emergency call system inoperative. Toyota fixes it by updating the software at an official service centre.
  21. 21Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Corolla CrossCommunication module (DCM) software fault: eCall may stop workingAn October 2023 alert (Toyota code 23SD-101) includes the Corolla Cross built between 20 June 2022 and 4 July 2023: an error in a software update can cause an abrupt reset, and the communication module (DCM) may not restart, so eCall cannot make an emergency call.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Corolla XIISoftware fault that can disable the eCall emergency call systemA software error in the communications module (DCM) can stop it restarting after an abrupt shutdown, leaving the eCall emergency call system inoperative. Toyota fixes it by updating the software at an official service centre.
  23. 23Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Hilux VIIICommunications module (DCM) software fault: eCall may stop workingAn October 2023 alert (Toyota code 23SD-101) includes the Hilux built between September 2021 and June 2023: an error in a software update can cause a sudden reset, and the communications module (DCM) may not restart, so eCall cannot make an emergency call. The DVSA says it is corrected with an over-the-air software update.
  24. 24Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V60 ISoftware fault in the eCall system module that can send a wrong locationA European alert from February 2019 (A12/0228/19) warned of a software fault in the communications module of the emergency call system in V60 cars built between 24 March 2016 and 26 September 2018: after a crash it could send the emergency services an incorrect location or none at all.
  25. 25Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC90 IIThe emergency call system (eCall) could fail to transmit the correct location after an accidentIn cars from 2016 to 2018, a software error in the communications module could prevent the emergency call system (eCall) from transmitting correct location data to the emergency services after an accident. Volvo fixed it with a free software update.Repair: €0
  26. 26High severityFrequency: RareKia Sportage VRecall because the instrument cluster may not light up at start-up (hybrid)On 2022 and 2023 hybrid Sportage cars, voltage instability during start-up can stop the instrument cluster from lighting up, according to a recall (code 230S15) listed by Fiches-auto.fr.
  27. 27Medium severityFrequency: RareFord Mondeo IVSoftware recall over headlights and indicators (2010 cars)According to the KBA, a software error in one of the vehicle's modules can cause a variety of faults in the on-board electronics of Mondeo IV cars built in 2010: the headlights or indicators can switch on for no reason, or the headlights can switch themselves off.
  28. 28Medium severityFrequency: RareHyundai i20 IIThe eCall system may fail to transmit the chassis number after an accidentThe ADAC reports a recall of the Hyundai i20 II whereby, when the airbag deploys, the eCall system may not correctly transmit the vehicle's chassis number to the emergency services; it is fixed by checking and correcting that data at the garage.
  29. 29Medium severityFrequency: RareHyundai i20 IIILimited emergency call system (eCall) function on 2020 carsOn i20 III cars built in 2020, the automatic emergency call system (eCall) may have limited functionality, according to the specialist German press; to find out whether a car is affected you need to check with the VIN at an official Hyundai service centre.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz CLA C118Airbag warning light and SOS emergency call light staying onAccording to the fiches-auto.fr data sheet, the owner of a CLA 200 had the SOS warning light permanently on at 2,000 km, after four visits to the workshop; the data sheet cites other cases of airbag warning lights that persist. It is an isolated case.
  31. 31Medium severityFrequency: RareToyota Yaris CrossThe DCM module may not restart and leave the Yaris Cross without eCallA European alert from October 2023 records that a software update error can cause the communications module (DCM) of Yaris and Yaris Cross built between 2021 and 2023 to restart abruptly and fail to boot again: the eCall would not work.

Problems with the eCall system by make

Problems with the eCall system in your car

1 car has several documented faults with the eCall system. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect it, by engine and by year.

Ford 1

How much it costs to repair a fault with the eCall system

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with the eCall system?

Among those we have analysed: Ford Kuga III (fire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4)), Mercedes-Benz Clase G W463A (front door wiring poorly routed, with possible failure of restraints, unlocking and eCall (2018 production)), Honda Accord VIII (honda Accord VIII airbag module recall (June 2015)), Kia Sorento IV (eCall system may not send the VIN after an impact), Škoda Kamiq (the eCall system might not place a call after an accident because of non-compliant software (campaign 91W7)), Škoda Scala (eCall system might not call in an accident because of non-compliant software (campaign 91W7)), Volkswagen Golf VIII (emergency call assistant (eCall) fault and halt on deliveries in 2020) and Ford Puma (eCall system software faults and instrument cluster update). In total, 30 cars with documented faults with the eCall system.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the eCall system?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At an independent garage, from €0 to €0; at a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 4 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is the eCall system might not place a call after an accident because of non-compliant software (campaign 91W7) (Škoda Kamiq).

What symptoms does a fault with the eCall system cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, airbag warning light on and seatbelt fault warning light or message.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. VW Golf 8 (CD) – Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published 22 April 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  2. VW löst Softwareproblem beim Golf 8 – Auslieferungsstopp aufgehobenInvesting.com · General press · published June 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Llamada a revisión 11/2021: Kamiq, Scala, Octavia, Karoq, Kodiaq, Ducato y más…Autonoción · Motoring press · published 19 March 2021 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Volvo XC90 II: Probleme, Krankheiten & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German