How To Deal with The Mercedes Active Brake Assist Functions Limited Alert

So, your Mercedes displayed the ‘Active Brake Assist Functions Limited’ alert while you were on your way to the office… Frustrated by this unexpected turn of events, you did what any wise person would do. You asked Google what might have triggered this message on your vehicle’s dashboard and found this article.

Mercedes' Active Brake Assist in A Nutshell

It’s because of features like Active Brake Assist that Mercedes cars are counted among the safest :):):)

This advanced driver assistance system is programmed to alert drivers about potential hazards and help them avoid collisions. It relies on a network of radars sensors and cameras to monitor the road ahead. Based on the real-time data received from theses sensors, the computer predicts potential hazards. If it occurs to the computer that a collision is imminent, it will issue audio-visual alerts to warn the driver about the danger and may even automatically apply the brakes to either avoid the collision or reduce its severity.

If your Mercedes’ Active Brake Assist feature malfunctions due to some reason, your road safety could be compromised. Ensuring the upkeep of key driver assistance features is therefore important.

Active Brake Assist Functions Limited: Why This Alert Might Appear

It could be due to one of the following reasons…

Possibility #1- Dirt covered sensors

Real-time inputs from radar sensors and cameras installed in important parts of the car are what enables the onboard computer to monitor the road ahead and predict if a collision is imminent. If these sensors get covered by dirt, debris, or snow, it will impact the way your Mercedes’ ABA operates… and may even activate the ‘Active Brake Assist Functions Limited’ alert.

Recommended solution:

- Clean the radar sensors and cameras of your Mercedes every now and then.

Possibility #2- Bad weather

Bad weather conditions like heavy rain, fog, and snow can make your Mercedes’ ABA system less effective… which might trigger the ‘Functions Limited’ alert. It’s not just bad weather… anything that can make it a tough job for these sensors to accurately detect obstacles on the road ahead can trigger the said alert.

Recommended solution:

- You can’t do anything about bad weather conditions… just be careful while driving in low-visibility conditions.

Possibility #3- Defective radar and camera

Another possibility―one that can’t go undiscussed. Radar sensors and cameras are basically the sense organs of your vehicle… helping it in many different ways, including providing assistance for the ABA operation. If they cease functioning or fail to communicate with the onboard computer, you’ll experience all sorts of performance-related issues. And yes, the ‘Active Brake Assist Functions Limited’ alert might get activated.

Recommended solution:

- Evaluate the condition of radar sensors and cameras located at different parts of the vehicle.

- Replace the defective ones.

Possibility #4- Software bugs/ system updates

If the software that’s been overseeing and regulating different aspects of ABA operations develops a glitch or bug, it can significantly limit the system’s ability to perform certain tasks―which may result in the appearance of ‘Functions Limited’ alert. Not updating the system’s software in due course can also result in the activation of the said alert.

Recommended solution:

- Check for software updates…

- If Mercedes has indeed released an update, install it right away.

- It can fix any bugs in the Active brake Assist system and ensure that the system operates optimally.

Possibility #5- Electrical issues

The alert might also appear if the battery fails to keep up with the power requirements of key Active Brake Assist system components in your Mercedes. A frayed wire, a defective connector, a blown fuse… anything that might cut off the electricity supply to crucial ABA components can set off the said alert.

Recommended solution:

- Thoroughly check the electrical parts responsible for powering vital Active Brake Assist system components… replace the faulty ones.

- Check if the battery is able to keep up with the vehicle’s energy requirement.

Concluding Remark

As soon as your Mercedes displays the ‘Active Brake Assist Functions Limited’ alert, contact the nearest Mercedes service center. Have the issue assessed by factory trained technicians. Repair or replace any defective parts to prevent escalation of the issue. We hope this helps :):):)