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.

Lilburn, Georgia – September 26, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLC300 4MATIC Coupe, GLC300, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, and GLC43 AMG 4MATIC vehicles equipped with LED headlights.

Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2018 GLC-Class (253 platform) vehicles, equipped with LED headlamps, the front turn signal lights may be pink/violet in color.

The recall covers over 4,700 vehicles, with an estimated 10% being subject to the defect. The front turn signals may have an incorrect color of pink or violet, thus failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report, although the function of the turn indicators is not affected, legal requirements may not be met. Turn signals that are the wrong color may not be as easily recognized by other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Owners may notice the unusual color when unlocking or locking their vehicle doors, which can cause the lights to flash.

Timeline of Events

In March 2018 DAG initiated initial investigations based on a single vehicle detected in the production plant, and subsequently, in April 2018, DAG and the headlamp supplier analyzed the exemplar headlamp.

In May 2018 it was determined that a production deviation at the supplier resulted in damaged LED phosphor layers and by June 2018 the supplier had determined the potentially affected batches of headlamps

In July and August 2018 DAG determined the potentially affected vehicles equipped with the suspect headlamps, and in early September 2018 DAG determined that a potential non-compliance of subject vehicles with legal light colors could not be excluded. The recall is voluntary, and the issue was corrected on the manufacturing line for all vehicles produced after the defect was discovered.

The Solution

As a precautionary measure, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will check the color of the turn signal on the affected LED headlamps, and replace the LED module, if necessary.
MBUSA will not provide notice about pre-notice reimbursement to owners since all involved vehicles remain covered under the new vehicle warranty, and the replacement will be done free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 9, 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 NHTSA Number for this recall is 18V-610.