Mercedes-Benz recalls cars that may stall due to water damage

Jacksonville, FL – January 29, 2023 – Mercedes-Benz (OTCMKTS:MBGYY) is recalling 323,963 vehicles due to an engine stall caused by water getting into the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash.

The recall covers the following models:

  • 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML 250
  • 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
  • 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML 400
  • 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 300D
  • 2012 – 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350
  • 2012 – 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML550
  • 2017 – 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43
  • 2016 – 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63
  • 2012 – 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63
  • 2016 – 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350
  • 2016 – 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400
  • 2016 – 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 550E

Recall summary

Water may find its way into the rear part of the vehicle and reach the fuel pump and interfere with its work, starving the car of fuel. There are several causes of the defect, with one of them seemingly related to a manufacturing error and the other caused by unspecified actions taken by the owner when opening and closing the hatch.

The components involved in the recall are the plug with part number A0039981450 and the fuel pump control unit with multiple part numbers including A0009003800, A0009003101 and A0009007306.

Recall risks

Lack of fuel pumping into the engine can lead to a stall, which ups the risk of a crash.

Warning signs 

Drivers may hear the sound of water sloshing around from inside the spare tire wheel well or notice dampness in the carpet in the rear area of the cabin. The check engine light could also come on on the dashboard before the issue occurs. After the water enters the car, a different, unspecified warning message should pop up on the screen.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

In May 2022, Mercedes-Benz issued a stop-drive order and a recall for 292,287 vehicles over a brake failure risk that increases the risk of a crash. As of January 11, 2023, over 145,000 cars still needed to be repaired. Please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to determine if yours is one of them.

In October 2022, Mercedes-Benz also recalled 19,698 vehicles over the loss of safety features caused by the 12-volt battery in the trunk being improperly secured. This could lead to an inability to call emergency services or exit the vehicle in the event of a crash.

The repair

To prevent this Mercedes-Benz engine stall, dealers will install a water drain plug in the spare tire wheel well and replace the fuel pump control unit if necessary. All repairs will be conducted free of charge and owners who paid for repairs before the recall was announced will be reimbursed.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified on or around February 21, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 300,000 vehicles are affected by this Mercedes-Benz water ingress recall. To see if your vehicle is among them or to check for Mercedes-Benz AMG recalls, run a Mercedes-Benz recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloMercedes-Benz recalls cars that may stall due to water damage