Laguna Hills, CA – December 24, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Coupe and Cabrio vehicles due to a faulty nut in the steering rack. The potential number of units affected is 6,162.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, determined that on certain vehicles with rear-wheel drive, a locknut in the steering rack might have internal material cracks. Additionally, six vehicles were identified as having been previously repaired using the affected locknut. In the unlikely event that such a locknut was installed in the affected vehicle population, large lateral forces, such as those encountered by impacting a curb during maneuvering or parking, could cause the locknut to break. This could also cause the steering to become fixed in a static position, which would increase the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

In February 2018, the supplier of the steering rack informed DAG about instances of broken locknuts in the supplier’s production process. Subsequently, DAG launched investigations of this issue together with the supplier. It was determined that the material of a certain batch of locknuts might have internal cracks due to a process deviation at a sub-supplier, and it was concluded that locknuts exhibiting this issue would be identified in the production process of the supplier by the installed quality inspections and application of defined loads and forces to the steering racks in the production process. These conclusions were confirmed by additional high-stress load testing of potentially affected locknuts.

After this investigation was completed, DAG determined in March 2018 that no safety relevance for this issue existed, as all potentially affected locknuts or steering racks would be identified in the supplier’s production process. However, in June 2018, DAG was informed about an instance of a fixed steering assembly during unloading of a new vehicle at a dealer in Asia. The steering rack of this vehicle was shipped to the supplier for investigation and in mid-July 2018 a broken locknut was identified as the root cause. Subsequently, the investigation of the aforementioned issue was re-opened in order to clarify why the locknut was not identified as faulty during the production process of the supplier.

Between August and September 2018, it was concluded that the locknut in question had internal cracks in the material, thus making it impossible for those cracks to be detected by the installed quality inspections at the supplier. Until then, it was assumed that all cracks would be visible on the surface and thus be detectable by the installed magnetic particle testing. Furthermore, it was concluded that the existing conformity-of-production tests that apply defined forces to each steering rack might not in every case lead to a detection of an affected locknut in the supplier’s production process.

In October 2018, further testing was carried out to analyze the forces potentially occurring during vehicle operation as well as the speeds and driving situations under which such forces might occur. It was concluded that a breakage of an affected locknut would only occur under maximum forces acting on the steering rack. Such forces typically appear in case of contact with the curb during parking or maneuvering of the vehicle. These driving situations usually occur at low speeds. At the same time, the range of potentially affected vehicles was determined by analyzing logistics documents of the complete supply chain.

In November 2018, DAG determined that a potential safety risk cannot be ruled out, and voluntarily issued a recall.

The Solution

As a precautionary measure an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the steering rack on the affected vehicles. The steering racks to be installed in the scope of the recall contain locknuts which meet production specifications. MBUSA does not plan to provide notice about pre-notice reimbursement to owners since all involved vehicles remain covered under the new vehicle warranty. The recall is expected to begin January 25, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-850.

Laguna Hills, CA – December 24, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic Wagon and E63S AMG Wagon vehicles due to an incorrectly mounted spoiler. The potential number of units affected is 16.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, due to a deviation in the production process, the tailgate spoiler might not have been mounted according to current production specification. The affected vehicles have a tailgate mounted spoiler that may not be properly attached and therefore could detach while driving at high speeds with no warning to the driver. If the tailgate mounted spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

At the end of October 2018, DAG launched initial investigations based on an individual field report from outside the U.S. in which a customer allegedly experienced the subject condition outlined above. No third-party damages or personal injuries were reported. The parts of the affected vehicle were analyzed and indicated an incorrect mounting of the tailgate spoiler.

In November 2018, further analysis determined that due to a deviation in the production process the tailgate spoiler might not have been mounted according to current production specification. Further investigations were performed to analyze potential impacts and to determine which vehicles might potentially be affected. DAG then determined that a potential safety risk could not be ruled out.

The Solution

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 19, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA’s number for this recall is 2018120002. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-849.

Laguna Hills, CA – December 18, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 4Matic, Cabriolet, Coupe, AMG and Mercedes-Mayback vehicles for incorrect detection of seatbelt fasten status. Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain vehicles, the switches in seatbelt buckles might not have been manufactured according to specifications. The potential number of units affected is 5,433.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, a correctly fastened seatbelt could be erroneously detected as unfastened. In this case neither the electric (PRE-SAFE®-function) nor the pyrotechnic tensioning would be activated in the event of a crash, and the full effect of the restraint system would be impaired. This could significantly increase the risk of injury for occupants in the event of a crash. If a vehicle exhibits the recall condition described, the customer may be made aware of the issue by a warning tone and a seat belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.

Timeline of Events

In August 2018, DAG launched initial investigations based on a single incident reported from its production plant regarding a vehicle exhibiting the described issue during an end of line test. Subsequently, DAG and the responsible supplier’s joint analysis identified a deviation in the production of the switch inside the seatbelt buckle as the root cause.

In October 2018, DAG reviewed logistics documents together with the relevant suppliers and sub-suppliers to determine which potentially affected batches of seatbelt buckles had been delivered to DAG. Based on the results, potentially affected vehicles were identified, and the voluntary recall was issued.

The Solution

As a precautionary measure an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the relevant seatbelt buckles in the affected vehicles. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckles, free of charge. An interim letter will be mailed beginning January 25, 2019 to notify owners of the issue. A second letter will be mailed once remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-839.

Laguna Hills, CA – December 18, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 GLC300 vehicles due to a potential issue with power steering. Daimler AG (“DAG”) has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) GLCClass vehicles (253 platforms), an internal sensor within the electric power steering unit might not meet specifications due to a production deviation at a supplier. The potential number of units affected is seven.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, an internal sensor within the electric power steering unit may fail, deactivating the power steering assist. If the sensor were to fail while driving, the position of the electronic motor within the power steering unit would no longer be detected, resulting in a deactivation of the power steering support. This would increase the risk of a crash. The customer will be made aware of a deactivation of the power steering support by a warning message in the instrument cluster.

Timeline of Events

In August 2018, DAG launched initial investigations based on a declaration of a supplier regarding potential deviations of certain power steering units, and immediately initiated a plant campaign. In September 2018, further investigations were carried out in conjunction with the supplier to analyze the failure mode within the production at the supplier.

In October 2018, DAG and the supplier co-reviewed logistics documents to determine which steering assemblies might potentially be affected, and further analyses were completed to identify potentially affected vehicles. In November 2018, DAG determined that there was potential failure of the magnetic sensor, and that a potential safety risk could not be ruled out and made the decision to issue a voluntary recall for affected vehicles.

The Solution

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering unit, free of charge. An interim letter will be mailed beginning January 25, 2019 to notify owners of the issue. A second letter will be mailed once remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-840.

Laguna Hills, CA – October 31, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabrio, E300, E300 4Matic, C300, C300 4Matic, C300 Coupe and C300 Cabrio vehicles. A documentation error may have resulted in a potentially incorrect battery cover to be installed on the starter battery. This recall affects 4,073 vehicles.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain 2018 C-Class (205 platform) and E-Class vehicles (213 platform) vehicles, an incorrect cover for the starter battery could have been installed. The incorrect cover may not have the required geometry to provide protection for live electrical components.

Since the cover for the starter battery may not cover the live positive electrical wire, in certain crashes, the vehicle’s strut brace may deform and short circuit the battery. If the battery is shorted, on-board electrical system might not be able to support post-crash functions (such as emergency door unlocking from the outside by an emergency responder, or activation of hazard warning lamps). Unlocking and opening of the doors from the inside is not affected. A short circuit could also lead to an increased risk of fire.

Timeline of Events

DAG’s initial investigations were based on a report from the production plant in September 2018, regarding the installation of wrong positive pole covers for the starter battery. In October 2017, a documentation error following a design change was identified as the root cause of the installation of an incorrect starter battery cover, and the range of potentially affected vehicles was identified by the end of 2018.

Multiple analyses were performed to evaluate possible consequences of the faulty installation, revealing that an incorrect battery cover might not provide the necessary covering for a live electrical cable on the battery. Several standard crash test scenarios were analyzed in detail, and it was determined that in specific crash situations with a heavy deformation of the brace strut, the strut might contact the electrical cable on the starter battery, increasing fire risk. The voluntary recall was ordered at in October 2018.

The Solution

As a precautionary measure an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the positive pole cover on the affected vehicles, free of charge. MBUSA will notify owners by mail. The recall is expected to begin November 23, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V- 725.

Laguna Hills, CA – October 26, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling roughly four thousand 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 and GLC300 4Matic, 2018 GLC350e and GLC63 AMG 4Matic and 2017-2018 GLC43 AMG 4Matic vehicles due to seat belts which can become unusable due to a missing element. This is in addition to over 100,000 vehicles recalled for the same issue in March of 2018.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, an error during production led to felt strips not having been applied between the C-pillar and rear side paneling according to current production specification.   The outboard rear seats’ seat belt latch plates, which are intended to insert into the buckles, may retract into the interior paneling, becoming inaccessible and preventing vehicle occupants from being able to use them. The probability of occurrence is generally low, but if a rear seat passenger does not fasten the seatbelt, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Timeline of Events

In the beginning of February 2018, DAG launched an inquiry into two complaints of customers about the seat belt issue. The subsequent investigations showed that the described defect was reproducible under specific conditions, and that a geometrical design of the paneling parts was the root cause of the problem. The range of vehicles was examined for potential safety concerns, in early March 2018, DAG recalled 116,000 vehicles under recall notice 18V177. The current recall relates to an additional 4,079 vehicles identified in early September that also may not have had the necessary felt strips installed during the production process.

The Solution

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install felt strips between the C-pillar and rear side paneling, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 2, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA’s number for this recall is 2018100002. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V683000.

Laguna Hills, CA – October 4, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300, C300 4MATIC, C63 AMG, and C63S AMG vehicles due to incorrect bonding of the rear window.

Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2018 C-Class (205 platform) vehicles, the bonding of the rear window might not meet current production specification. This defect was caused by an error during production, during which the rear window bonding activator may not have been applied correctly.

The recall is thought to potentially have occurred in just 387 vehicles, which has been determined through production records. Vehicles not affected by the recall have correct rear window bonding.

The Defect

Incorrect bonding of the rear window may lead to decreased long-term adhesion of the rear window. As a result, the rear window could loosen and detach from the vehicle, creating a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash for following traffic.

Timeline of Events

In mid-June 2018 DAG conducted initial investigations based on previous findings in the assembly plant. The investigation determined there had been an error during rear window installation, resulting in a potential incomplete rear window bonding process.

Further investigation determined that the glass activator on the rear window was not applied as required, and further analysis performed in July 2018 determined that the missing glass activator could impact the long-term adhesion of the rear window.

In August 2018 the range of potentially affected vehicles was identified, and in September 2018 DAG determined that the potential safety risk could not be ruled out and issued a voluntary recall.

The Solution

MBUSA will notify owners, and an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will rework the rear window bonding as a precautionary, free of charge. MBUSA does not plan to provide notice about pre-notice reimbursement to owners since all involved vehicles remain covered under the new vehicle warranty.

The recall is expected to begin November 2, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The assigned NHTSA Recall Number is 18V-608.

2018 Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG C-Class: Recall Alert

Laguna Hills, CA – October 3, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E63S AMG 4MATIC vehicles. Daimler AG, (“DAG”) the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2017 E-Class AMG (213 platform) vehicles, the adjustment range of the front passenger seat might not be limited correctly, which allows it to be adjusted beyond its intended limit.

The recall is believed to only affect 22 individual units, according to a recall population that was determined through production records. Vehicles not affected by this recall will have seats with sufficient mechanical limitation and correct seat software calibration.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report, due to an insufficient design of the front passenger seat mechanical limits and seating software calibration, the adjustment range on affected vehicles was not limited to meet current production specifications.

This defect can lead to the occupant load for certain seating positions on the front passenger seat being increased, leading to an higher risk of potential injury for the front passenger during a crash.

Timeline of Events

In December 2016, DAG launched an initial investigation based on the failure of internal certification crash tests in the development phase. This investigation indicated an incorrect limitation of the front passenger seat adjustment range as the root cause of the test failure, and further analysis was initiated.

The necessary front passenger seat updates and changes in the seat control unit software to correctly limit the seat travel were subsequently defined, and in February 2017 the introduction of an updated seat control unit software was implemented. Furthermore, in March 2017 the passenger seat design as updated with the addition of a mechanical adjustment range limitation.

Vehicles produced before installation of mechanical adjustment range limitation were slated to be reworked during vehicle production or in the vehicle preparation center prior to sale, but in July 2018 it was determined through routine monitoring that reworking to correct this issue was not completed for all vehicles in the vehicle preparation center.

As a result, a range of 22 units were confirmed to be in the hands of drivers, with the range of potentially affected vehicles in the field being determined in August 2018. At the beginning of September 2018 DAG determined that a potential safety risk could not be ruled out and voluntarily announced a recall for the 22 units to allow reworking to be completed.

The Solution

As a precautionary measure an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will check the adjustment range of the passenger seat on the affected vehicles, and, if needed, install the mechanical adjustment range limitation or update the seat control unit software respectively. This process will be free of charge to the vehicle owner as these units are still under new vehicle warranty.

The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Recall Number is 18V-609.