Pleasanton, CA – July 18, 2020 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 3,615 compact sedans with an air conditioning hose that may leak water into the cabin. The recall includes 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedans(A220).
Recall summary
Due to a manufacturing error, certain 2019 A-Class vehicles may have an improperly-installed air conditioning hose that could leak water into the floor of the vehicle. The hose is designed to carry condensation out of the vehicle, but a loose seal allows water to seep into the floors and center tunnel of the car. The center console hosts the dashboard, one of the most important pieces of equipment in a vehicle.
The seepage can have more serious consequences than wet carpets— the water can damage or short-circuit various electrical components in the floor and center of the car, creating a safety hazard.
Risks
The leak can damage or impair important electrical components, including the module that controls the airbags. If the module is damaged, the airbags may not be able to protect drivers or passengers in the case of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
It may also activate the car’s “limp-home” mode, which drastically reduces the car’s speed. If you are driving and your car enters this mode, the check engine light will illuminate and the car may feel sluggish. If you are on the freeway, it is best to pull over and call for help, as your reduced speed may make you a traffic hazard.
Finally, it could lead to a car’s “failure to start” or malfunctioning of other elements, such as the fuel pump.
If your car suffers this kind of leak, you may notice fogged windows or wet carpets in the area where your foot pedals are located.
The repair
An authorized dealer will check the air conditioning drain hose and make sure it is tightly fastened. This free service is currently available, and should take less than half a day to complete.
Is your vehicle part of this recall?
Over 3,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
