After I stopped to pick up something from a store and got back into my care and started the engine Command flashed a warning message:
"Anti-theft protection activated. Service required!".

It stayed frozen and my BT cell won't connect, the radio and NAV doesn't work but I could drive the car!

I shut off the engine and restarted it with no success and it won't reset itself.
I drove to the nearest M-B dealer that was 4 mile away and asked the SA to take a look.

He came out and was dumb founded so he asked the service manager who also couldn't figure what's wrong after restarting the car a few times.

I was told I would have to book an appointment and leave the car with them.
The SA said they'll have to get M-B Canada to assist them in resetting the command computer.

I said I was more concern that the engine might shut down if I continue to drive as Command seems to think I'm trying to steal it and the anti-theft protection might just shut down the engine to prevent the theft!LOL!

But since the dealership is like 40 miles away from my house, I said I'll contact my regular dealership and book the appointment as I would need a loaner vehicle while they figure out what's wrong and fix the problem.

So I left and as I stopped at the exit, I shut off the car and restarted and Command fixed itself and started working like normal!

Has anyone encounter this issue?

 

Had the same message in the E550. Started the car about an hour later and it was gone.

 

I thought it was due to the current frigid temps (-15C).
I hope it doesn't happen often.

Thanks for the response.

 

LI82.85-P-058185 DEC13 – 166, 204 & 212 with engine OM651 intermittently COMAND display may show fault message “Anti-theft protection activated” cause, disrupted CAN communication.

Konigster posted a TSB on this.

 

Thanks instantfob. Silly me I should have searched the forum first.

My E is due for the third service in 1,000 miles so I'll ask the dealer to apply the TSB fix.