• 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG 4Matic coupes and cabriolets.
• 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupes, S coupes, cabriolets and S cabriolets.
• 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 coupes, 4Matic coupes, cabriolets and 4Matic cabriolets.
• 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 coupes.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jan. 31, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz U.S.A has recalled approximately 10 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective occupant classification systems, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models produced between Oct. 25, 2016 and Dec. 22, 2016, including:

• 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and GT-S coupes.
• 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and GT-C Roadsters.

The automaker suspects just 10 percent of the vehicles involved in the recall actually contain defective components.

The Defect

Models included in the action may include defective passenger-side occupant classification features that incorrectly activate or deactivate air bag deployment. This issue is the result of a design flaw that impedes communication between the seat and the occupant detection sensors. Additionally, a software error exacerbates the problem. The defect poses a serious hazard to passengers, as it could leave them vulnerable to impact during a collision or cause them injury due to the sudden and unexpected deployment of safety features. That said, Mercedes and its parent company Daimler AG have yet to receive reports connecting the defect to accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In August 2016, Mercedes-Benz engineers conducted internal vehicle validation tests and discovered that the passenger-side occupant classification components were prone to malfunction. DAG immediately launched an investigation in response to these findings. The inquiry revealed numerous seat cushion design flaws, which directly affected the performance of the the occupant classification system.

DAG initiated additional tests in September. These uncovered new insights into the defective, including the fact that the geometry of the seat cover and the occupant classification module was affecting performance. In October, the automotive conglomerate developed and tested a new seat cushion design. The refreshed model proved effective. In November the new seat cushion model went into production. One month later, additional tests revealed that a software error was exacerbating the defect.

In January 2017, DAG engineers rolled out updated software, which was officially introduced to the production line the following month. Vehicles that had been assembled but not delivered received the updated seat cushions and software, along with those awaiting sale at dealerships. However, in October DAG discovered that not all of the affected models were updated as required earlier in the year. In November, quality assurance teams assessed the extent of the problem. One month later, the company decided that a serious safety risk was present and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

DAG has directed dealers to install the redesigned seat cushions and software in the vehicles named in the action. Mercedes-Benz service personnel will perform this work free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgement document submitted to the NHTSA. DAG intends to notify dealers and owners this month. Individuals affected by this recall who need more immediate assistance can contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at (877) 496-3691. They can also reach out the NHTSA directly using its toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jan. 31, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz U.S.A has recalled approximately 10 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective occupant classification systems, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models produced between Oct. 25, 2016 and Dec. 22, 2016, including:

• 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and GT-S coupes.
• 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and GT-C Roadsters.

The automaker suspects just 10 percent of the vehicles involved in the recall actually contain defective components.

The Defect

Models included in the action may include defective passenger-side occupant classification features that incorrectly activate or deactivate air bag deployment. This issue is the result of a design flaw that impedes communication between the seat and the occupant detection sensors. Additionally, a software error exacerbates the problem. The defect poses a serious hazard to passengers, as it could leave them vulnerable to impact during a collision or cause them injury due to the sudden and unexpected deployment of safety features. That said, Mercedes and its parent company Daimler AG have yet to receive reports connecting the defect to accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In August 2016, Mercedes-Benz engineers conducted internal vehicle validation tests and discovered that the passenger-side occupant classification components were prone to malfunction. DAG immediately launched an investigation in response to these findings. The inquiry revealed numerous seat cushion design flaws, which directly affected the performance of the the occupant classification system.

DAG initiated additional tests in September. These uncovered new insights into the defective, including the fact that the geometry of the seat cover and the occupant classification module was affecting performance. In October, the automotive conglomerate developed and tested a new seat cushion design. The refreshed model proved effective. In November the new seat cushion model went into production. One month later, additional tests revealed that a software error was exacerbating the defect.

In January 2017, DAG engineers rolled out updated software, which was officially introduced to the production line the following month. Vehicles that had been assembled but not delivered received the updated seat cushions and software, along with those awaiting sale at dealerships. However, in October DAG discovered that not all of the affected models were updated as required earlier in the year. In November, quality assurance teams assessed the extent of the problem. One month later, the company decided that a serious safety risk was present and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

DAG has directed dealers to install the redesigned seat cushions and software in the vehicles named in the action. Mercedes-Benz service personnel will perform this work free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgement document submitted to the NHTSA. DAG intends to notify dealers and owners this month. Individuals affected by this recall who need more immediate assistance can contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at (877) 496-3691. They can also reach out the NHTSA directly using its toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Hello, and welcome back to the recall blog.

Mercedes-Benz recently issued a recall for eighty seven hundred of its 4Matic and other light SUVs from the 2017 and 2018 model years.

The issue in question is that, in some cases, doors that may appear to be locked actually are not, potentially increasing the risk of injury or other mishaps.

About 1 percent of recalled vehicles are expected to be affected.

The defect comes from a faulty riveting parameter at a supplier, which produced affected vehicles between early January and early August 2017.

Owners are asked to bring their vehicles to a local Mercedes-Benz dealer, where their locks will be tested and replaced if necessary.

Thanks for watching, and be sure to check back soon for more recall news.

Hello and welcome to another Recall Masters video blog.

Mercedes-Benz U-S-A has recalled more than one thousand two hundred vehicles possibly equipped with defective seat belt assemblies. The campaign affects 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, GT C, GT R and GT S coupes produced between October 25, 2016 and December 11, 2017. The automaker suspects one hundred percent of the vehicles referenced in the action include the defective components.

The recalled models are likely to contain seat belt assemblies prone to binding within the restraint guidance loop. This creates extra slack, leaving occupants loosely restrained and vulnerable to injury during accidents.

Mercedes-Benz plans to notify dealers this month and owners in February. The car manufacturer plans to replace the defective features free of charge.

Thanks for watching and be sure to stop back by for more recall updates!

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jan. 16, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA has recalled more than 430 vehicles potentially equipped with defective brake components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects Mercedes-Benz G 550 and G 550 4×4 sport utility vehicles produced between April 3, 2017, and May 31, 2017. The automaker is unsure what percentage of the referenced models actually contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles could contain braking systems with defective brake booster vacuum hoses that were not produced to meet design specifications and are prone to collapse as a result. These fixtures may feature hose layers that suffer delamination over time and are therefore likely to deteriorate entirely, leading to brake booster failure. In such scenarios, drivers must exert considerably more effort when depressing the brake pedal. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of a collision. However, Mercedes-Benz has yet to receive any reports connecting the defective brake booster vacuum hoses to accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In August 2017, Daimler AG, the international conglomerate that oversees the Mercedes-Benz brand, received a field report detailing an instance of brake booster failure. One month later, the automaker launched an internal investigation in collaboration with multiple suppliers. The parties involved reviewed production records and field reports, and requested parts for examination. Investigators quickly determined that the vacuum hose mentioned in the initial field report came from a particular batch produced by the German supplier ContiTech Schlauch GmbH over the course of a single day.

In October, DAG began working with ContiTech to understand the events that led to the production of the defective hose and its identical cousins. Engineers for the parts supplier eventually discovered that an instance of production line maintenance had resulted in widespread oil contamination and the sullying of existing product. By the end of November, DAG and ContiTech had ascertained the extent of the impact of the defective parts via logistics data.

On Dec. 18, 2017, officials for DAG determined that owner safety was at risk and called for a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

DAG intends to replace the defective vacuum hoses in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker plans to notify both dealers and owners this month. However, vehicle service requests are not scheduled to begin until February when replacement parts are expected to become available. Owners in need of more immediate assistance can speak with Mercedes customer service representatives by calling (877) 496-3691. They can also connect with the NHTSA via the organization’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jan. 16, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. has recalled more than 8,100 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective headlamps, according to documentation submitted to the National Highways Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, GLC 300 4Matic and GLC 43 4Matic sport utility vehicles produced between Oct. 9, 2014 and Nov. 19, 2016. The automaker suspects just 1 percent of the models referenced in action actually contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles include skewed LED headlamps with reduced low beam ranges, putting the parts in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which stipulates that such features “must be aimed vertically so that the cutoff is on the left side, at .4 degrees down from the H-H line, or on the right side, at the H-H line.” according to the Government Publishing Office. In addition to being in violation of FMVSS 108, the defective headlamps pose a serious risk to owners, as they could reduce the drivers’ fields of vision and increase the likelihood of accidents. That said, Mercedes-Benz and its parent company, Daimler AG, have yet to receive reports connecting the problematic features to any collisions or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In November 2016, engineers at an American Mercedes-Benz assembly plant discovered recently constructed vehicles with incorrect illumination distribution readings. DAG quality assurance personnel immediately launched an inquiry, performing additional tests and collecting the resulting data for analysis. The investigation team ultimately reviewed information dating from the beginning of production to November 2016.

DAG ended the inquiry in mid-2017, concluding that headlamp adjustment equipment in the assembly plant had been configured incorrectly and caused the defect. The automotive conglomerate launched two additional investigations to explore the breadth of the problem. Engineers working on the first initiative found that the problem affected only GLC-class vehicles, while the team managing the second inquiry established that the defective lighting features reduced driver field of vision but did not create glare issues when used with oncoming traffic present.

In December 2017, DAG wrapped up these investigations, confirmed that the defective fixtures violated FMVSS 108 and launched a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Mercedes-Benz will direct dealers to adjust the headlamps on affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to notify both dealers and owners sometime this month. Individuals with vehicles referenced in this recall who need more immediate assistance can contact Mercedes-Benz customer service personnel at (877) 496-3691. They can also connect with the NHTSA directly via its toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jan. 10, 2017 – Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. has recalled approximately 8,700 vehicles potentially equipped with defective rear door locks, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects a number of different models produced between Jan. 3, 2017 and Aug. 8, 2017, including:

• 2017 GLE 350 and GLE 350 4Matic sport utility vehicles.
• 2017 GLE 400 4Matic sport utility vehicles.
• 2017 GLE 550 E 4Matic hybrid electric sport utility vehicles.
• 2017 GLE 43 AMG 4Matic coupes.
• 2017 GLE 63  and 63S AMG 4Matic coupes.
• 2017 GLS 450 sport utility vehicles.
• 2017-2018 GLS 550 sport utility vehicles.
• 2017 GLS 63 sport utility vehicles.
• 2018 S 450 sedans.
• 2017 S 550 and S 550 4Matic sedans.
• 2017 S 550 E hybrid electric sedans.
• 2017 S 600 sedans.
• 2017 S 63 AMG 4Matic sedans.
• 2017 S 65 AMG sedans.
• 2017 S 550 and S 600 Maybach luxury sedans.

Mercedes speculates that just 1 percent of the vehicles named in the action actually contain defective door latch components.

The Defect

Affected models feature defective left rear door locks that register as locked but are actually insecure. The features not only pose a serious safety hazard to owners but also violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206, which stipulates that “each door shall be equipped with at least one locking device which, when engaged, shall prevent operation of the exterior door handle or other exterior latch release control and which has an operating means and a lock release/engagement device located within the interior of the vehicle,” according to the Government Publishing Office.

Timeline of Events

Engineers at a stateside Mercedes-Benz assembly plant discovered one vehicle with non-locking rear doors in May 2017. Daimler AG, the automotive conglomerate overseeing the Mercedes-Benz brand, launched an internal investigation immediately after this discovery, requesting operations personnel to collaborate with the German door latch supplier Kiekert AG to determine the root cause. One month later, the team came upon the answer: faulty riveting parameters at the Kiekert production facility in Heiligenhaus.

Over the next few months, DAG personnel and employees at the parts supplier reviewed production records to determine how many vehicles had come off the line equipped with defective rear door locks. The automaker simultaneously amended its production processes to ensure that other new vehicles would not enter the market with potentially unsafe features. Vehicles produced after June 21, 2017, include new-and-improved door latch assemblies that function properly.

In September, engineers at DAG performed internal tests to gauge the likely affects of the defective components. In December, the company found that the components violated FMVSS 206 and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Mercedes is expected to notify dealers and owners this month. However, the needed replacement parts will only be ready by February. Individuals with vehicles named in this action who require more immediate assistance are encouraged to contact Mercedes customer service at (877) 496-3961, according to a NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. Owners can also connect with NHTSA personnel via the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.