Montvale, N.J. — August 16, 2016 — Approximately 136 2016 Mercedes-Benz vehicles are potentially involved in a recent recall, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration document submitted May 16. This Safety Recall Report also stated that 23 percent of the vehicle population were estimated to have the defect, with production rates ranging from June 1 to July 24, 2015.
All of the suspected autos are two-door light Mercedes-Benz AMG GTS vehicles with a gas power train. The drive-shaft adhesive in these vehicles could be weak, leading to a dangerous separation between it and the flange. Drivers can lose traction in this case and may see an instrument cluster warning signal. The report doesn’t list any other possible identifiers.
Daimler AG reportedly discovered this issue in October 2015, though it wasn’t seriously analyzed until around two months later. Though the first field case listed in the report was in the U.S., other instances were later found in Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Though no specific notification date was given in the original report, owners were said to be notified sometime in June. To remedy this issue, dealers were instructed to replace carbon-fiber drive shafts if needed.
A later document from the manufacturer said the recall is scheduled once parts become available July 1. It also stated that it will send letters to customers “approximately one week after the recall launch.” This action also includes a stop sale for any two 2016 AMG GTS vehicles.
Other newer Mercedes-Benz recalls include a October 2015 action for 52 autos, including GLE63 and GLE450 units, also with the 2016 model year. Rear drive-shaft bolts in these vehicles could possibly loosen and detach the shaft from the transmission altogether. Dealers were prompted to tighten these bolts if necessary.
