Montvale, N.J. – May 9, 2017 – Mercedes-Benz USA has recalled more than 5,000 coupes equipped with faulty brakes, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects SLC 43 AMG, SLC 300, SLK 250 and SLK 350 models produced between March 19, 2015 and Feb. 3, 2017. The car maker estimates that 100 percent of these vehicles contain defective braking systems.

The Defect
The models mentioned in the recall are said to feature improperly installed electronic stability program software. Under normal conditions, ESP software helps drivers slow their vehicles, intervening automatically to initiate stoppage when a certain amount pressure is applied to the brake pedal. When drivers release the brake pedal, the system switches off. Overall, EPS software helps prevent increased wear on hydraulic components and eases overall operation.

However, the Mercedes vehicles mentioned above come with defective EPS solutions that fail to abort when the brake pedal is decompressed. This creates prolonged contact between the pad and the rotor and leads to overheating. When such a situation occurs, pressure builds and ultimately reduces drivability. This poses a serious safety risk to occupants. Owners have reported seeing smoke rise from wheel wells as a result of the issue. However, the defect does not reduce braking effectiveness or EPS operability.

No accidents or injuries have been linked to this software error.

Timeline of Events
Throughout 2016, Daimler AG, Mercedes’ parent company, received consistent reports of brake overheating. In April of that year, the company created an internal team to evaluate the reports and search for an underlying cause. Engineers tested braking hardware but found that it met all mechanical performance thresholds. The grouped moved on to field tests and saw the same results, leading them to rule out defective hardware as the root problem.

From August onward DAG engineers analyzed ancillary mechanical systems and vehicle software. In September, the internal team decided to design new EPS software to test against existing installations. By early 2017, the new program was complete and ready for testing. DAG initiated field trials and uncovered performance discrepancies between the two systems. In March engineers reviewed the EPS testing data and once again reviewed customer claims. A little more than one month later, DAG decided to launch a voluntary recall campaign.

The Solution
The car makers has ordered Mercedes-Benz dealers to update EPS software in affected vehicles. However, since the models covered in the recall retain their factory warranties, DAG will not be offering reimbursement for these repairs. Dealers received notification earlier this month. Owners with vehicles named in the recall should expect communications next month. Those who need immediate assistance prior to the campaign launch date can contact the NHTSA.

Montvale, N.J. – Mar. 23, 2017 – Mercedes Benz USA has recalled more than 354,000 vehicles due to a defective starter assembly, according to documentation from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall impacts over a dozen models produced between February 2014 and 2017, including:

• C 300 and C 300 4Matic sedans
• C 300 and C 300 4Matic coupes
• C 300 and C 300 4Matic cabriolets
• C 350e hybrid sedans
• C 450 4Matic AMG sport sedans
• CLA 250 and CLA 250 4Matic sedans
• CLA 45 AMG sedans
• E 300 and E 300 4Matic sedans
• E 400 4Matic wagons
• E 43 AMG 4Matic sedans
• GLA 250 and GLA 250 4Matic sport utility vehicles
• GLC 300 and GLC 300 4Matic sport utility vehicles
• GLC 300 4Matic coupe sport utility vehicles

The Defect

Affected models are equipped with starter assemblies featuring current limiters that can overload in certain conditions. For example, vehicles that have sustained engine or transmission damage, and have blocked starters as a result, may experience high-voltage electrical currents when started repeatedly. This can damage the limiter, and in some cases melt surrounding components and catch fire. This increases the likelihood of occupant injury.

Timeline of Events

Daimler AMG, Mercedes’ parent company, received reports of limiter damage in June 2016. The automaker launched an investigation and in August determined that the damage resulted from electrical overload. Over the course of September and October, engineers for Daimler preformed further tests. In November, the company learned that the limiter was not designed to handle high-voltage currents generated during repeat starts. Two months later, engineers determined the range of affected vehicles. Last month, Daimler issued an official recall.

The Solution

The automaker has ordered dealers to install an additional fuse within the starter electrical lines in affected models, according to documents filed with the NHTSA. This repair is to be done free of charge. Owners will receive recall notifications later this month.

Portland, Ore. – Mar. 20, 2017 – Daimler Trucks North America has recalled almost 800 semi-trailer trucks due to malfunctioning instrument clusters. The recall impacts Freightliner 108SD and 114SD models produced between 2016 and 2017, as well as Freightliner Business Class M2s built over the same span, according to documents from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The Defect

The impacted trucks include OEM gauges on the left side of the cab – and a second cluster on the right – from third-party parts supplier Fontaine Modification. The body builder installs the latter before the vehicles are delivered to Daimler for completion. The disparate displays can become unresponsive due to hardware and software compatibility issues. When this occurs, a complete system shutdown is required to regain functionality. Vehicle turn signals can also lose power as a result of cluster integration problems.

Together, these issues can increase the likelihood of an accident. No injuries related to the display malfunctions mentioned above have been reported.

Timeline of Events

Engineers at Daimler discovered the flaw in November 2016 and immediately launched an official investigation. In January 2017 the automaker issued a voluntary recall of all affected vehicles, according to internal documents related to the event.

The Solution

Daimler has ordered dealers to inspect left-hand-side instrument clusters in affected vehicles and offer compatible replacement displays, free of charge. The company plans to notify dealers and vehicle owners March 19. It encourages customers with pressing concerns related to the recall to contact the Daimler customer service department or the NHTSA. Daimler has not yet announced how it plans to address future fabrication workflows, or provided details on its use of Fontaine Modification equipment.

Montvale, N.J. – March 14, 2017 – Mercedes-Benz USA has recalled dozens of vehicles with faulty software, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall impacts a variety of models with disparate production dates, including:

• AMG GT-S coupes produced between January 2008 and March 2017
• C 250 sedans produced between January 2008 and March 2017
• C 300 sedans produced between January 2008 and August 2014
• C 300 4Matic sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• C 350 sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• CLA 250 sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• CLS 550 and 550 4Matic sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• E 350, E 350 4Matic and BLUETEC sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• E 350 4Matic coupes produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• E 350 4Matic wagons produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• G 63 AMG sport utility vehicles produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• GL 450 4Matic sport utility vehicles produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• GLC 300 AMG sport utility vehicles produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• GLE 300d 4Matic sport utility vehicles produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• GLK 350 sport utility vehicles produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• ML 350 4Matic and 4Matic BLUETEC sport utility vehicles produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• S 550 and S 550 4Matic sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• SL 550 sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017
• SL 63 AMG sedans produced between January 2008 and January 2017

The Defect

Affected vehicles contain unit control software that has been improperly coded. This defect could manifest in various ways, depending on the model. It has been known to disrupt air bag deployment, seat belt recognition status and maximum speed settings. These issues could increase the likelihood of a crash, putting drivers and passengers at increased risk.

Timeline of Events

in December of last year, engineers at multiple Mercedes workshops notified the company that the unit control software in various models would not update. The car maker launched an investigation and determined that software was defective due to a coding error at the time of production. Over the next month, Mercedes personnel conducted additional reviews and compiled a list of models that could include the damaged code. In February 2017, engineers tested the defective software to determine how it might impact driveability, discovering multiple risk factors. In March, they performed further tests and concluded that the software might also affect emissions and therefore may not comply with regulations.

Mercedes chose to conduct a voluntary recall as result.

The Solution

The car maker will order dealers to update the software in affected models, free of charge, according to the NHTSA. There is currently no timetable for dealer or owner notification.

Montvale, N.J. – Mar. 09, 2017 – Mercedes Benz USA has recalled more than 1,000 vehicles due to defective air bags, according to documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall impacts a variety of models produced between August and November 2016, including:

• CLA 250 and 250 4Matic sports sedans
• E 400 and 400 4Matic coupes
• E 550 coupes
• E 400 and 550 Cabriolet convertibles
• E 300 and 300 4Matic sedans
• GLA 250 and 250 4Matic sports utility vehicles

The Defect

The propellant mix ratio within air bag igniters in the affected vehicles is unbalanced and does not meet manufacturer expectations. Although primarily a question of vehicle quality, this problem can hinder air bag operation and even halt deployment of these crash safety tools. Pelvic  and front passenger-side airbags are particularly vulnerable to this defect. There have been no reported injuries related to the mix propellant problem.

Timeline of Events

In November last year, the OEM parts supplier Autoliv reported that some of its air bag module igniters did not comport with internal quality standards. One month later, Autoliv issued a parts recall via the NHTSA. Engineers at Daimler AG, Mercedes’ parent company, reviewed the recall and production records to pinpoint potentially affected models. In January, the automaker performed further tests to ascertain the extent of the issue. In early February, Daimler AG officials determined that the defect presented a risk to drivers and issued an official recall.

Dealers were notified soon after this determination was made.

The Solution

Daimler AG has instructed dealers to inspect potentially affected vehicles and install new air bag module igniters, free of charge, according to an internal NHTSA communication. All models are covered under the Mercedes new vehicle limited warranty. Owners should receive confirmation of the recall in early March.

Montvale, N.J. – Mar. 8, 2017 – Mercedes Benz USA has recalled almost 6,000 vehicles with defective interior console latches, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects a number of sport utility models produced between July and October of last year, including:

• GLE 400 4Matic
• GLE 350 and 350 4Matic
• GLE 550E 4Matic
• GLE 63 AMG, 63S AMG and 63S AMG 4Matic Coupe
• GLE 43 AMG 4Matic Coupe
• GLS 450 4Matic
• GLS 550 4matic
• GLS 63 AMG 4Matic

The Defect

Affected models are equipped with defective center-console door latches. Consequently, items stored in this space may escape during traffic accidents. This has the potential to harm motorists involved in crashes. As yet, there have been no injuries reported due to this defect.

Timeline of Events

In July 2016 engineers for Daimler AMG, Mercedes’ parent company, discovered the defect during certification tests. One month later, the German automaker discovered that the OEM parts supplier Inteva Products Europe had instituted fabrication changes during production and failed to notify its partners, including Daimler AG. The defective parts were immediately removed from circulation.

Over the following months, engineers assessed the potential impacts of the defect and compared their performance to internal quality assurance codes. Daimler AMG officials deemed the parts non-compliant in late 2016. In February, the car manufacturing company confirmed its non-compliance with local and international safety regulations and initiated an official recall.

The Solution

Daimler AMG has instructed dealers to replace defective center console latches free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgment filed with NHTSA. Currently, the recall is in its voluntary stages, meaning owners with affected vehicles should come forward and request replacement latches. The automaker may launch a more exhaustive campaign should few owners react to the voluntary announcement.

Montvale, N.J. – Jan. 10, 2017 – Mercedes-Benz USA has just announced a series of recalls related to assembly problems. In one instance, an improperly fitted connection threatens to make brake pedals less effective over time. In another, faulty axle bolts risk fracture, possibly causing vehicles to lose control during operation.

These issues affect a range of vehicles and will be addressed early in the year.

Description of Defects

The first defect affects model year 2014 CLA250 vehicles that are equipped with gasoline engines and were manufactured between Dec. 14, 2012 and April 24, 2013. According to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles contain fittings that connect vacuum lines to brake boosters. These may be poorly fitted and can break during use. If that happens, the brake booster would no longer exist in a vacuum, causing brake force to steadily decrease over time.

Eventually, as drivers use the brake pedal, brake force would diminish to nothing, severely increasing the risk of control loss and crashes.

The second defect affects the following seven vehicles models:

• The model year 2015 GL350 4MATIC BLUETEC with diesel power train.
• The model year 2015 GL450 4MATIC with gas power train.
• The model year 2015 GL550 4MATIC with gas power train.
• The model year 2015 and 2016 GL63 AMG 4MATIC with gas power train.
• The model year 2015 ML250 BLUETEC with diesel power train.
• The model year 2015 ML350 with gas power train.
• The model year 2015 ML350 4MATIC with gas power train.

All of these vehicle models were manufactured between Sept. 29, 2014 and March 27, 2015.

According to NHTSA documents, they all have improperly assembled front and/or rear axle bolts, which risk fracturing during operation. This could leave the vehicles in unstable condition and increase the risk of a serious crash.

Timeline of Events

Brake Defect

• 2014: Mercedes-Benz manufacturer Daimler AG initially received field reports of customers experiencing sudden, unexplained brake failure. The manufacturer conducted an initial investigation to determine the source of the problem. It identified the broken connection piece of the brake booster vacuum line in affected vehicles. Months later, Daimler AG had analyzed the break, as well as the production process, but could not determine a cause of the problem.
• 2015: The company initiated a Six Sigma Black Belt project late in the year to make another attempt at discovering a cause. This time, the search revealed that there were certain material deficiencies along specific portions of the assembly line, which lead to the defect. Specifically, the application of high levels of force during the assembly process led to weakened components.
• December 2016: Daimler AG determined that a safety risk existed as a result of the defect.

Axle Bolt Defect

• April 2016: Two vehicles with weak axle carrier bolts were reported in the Chinese market. Daimler AG launched an investigation and determined that the problem was not the result of an initial production error, but rather that it occurred during a rework. Further review of other reworks led to the identification of all other affected models.
• December 2016: Daimler AG determined that a serious safety risk existed and recommended a recall.

Resolution

Owners will be notified of all defects and asked to bring their vehicles to authorized dealers, who will repair or replace the affected components at no cost to the owner.