Mercedes-Benz is facing a sweeping recall ordered by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority, Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), which ruled the brakes could fail on approximately 1 million vehicles built in the company’s factories between 2004 and 2015.
The recall involves the ML and GL utility vehicles and the R-Class luxury minivan. In all, the recall covers 993,407 vehicles worldwide, KBA said in a statement dated June 1 and reported late Saturday in German media.
The German luxury carmaker said the recall will extend worldwide due to a potential problem with the braking system. Mercedes-Benz confirmed the recall was based on “analysis of isolated reports for certain vehicles.
Corrosion creates problems
“In rare cases of very severe corrosion, it might be possible for a particularly strong or hard braking maneuver to cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, whereby the connection between brake pedal and brake system would fail,” Mercedes said.
“In such a very rare case, it would not be possible to decelerate the vehicle via the service brake. Thus, the risk of a crash or injury would be increased.”
The company said it would “start with the recall immediately” and contact the owners of the “potentially affected vehicles.”
“The recall process will involve inspecting potentially affected vehicles and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacing the parts where necessary,” the Stuttgart-based company said.
The company said it would “start with the recall immediately” and contact the owners of the “potentially affected vehicles.” KBA said corrosion on the brake booster can in the worst case lead to the connection between the brake pedal and the braking system being interrupted,” the KBA said.
Follows the “Do Not Drive”
The company issued a “Do Not Drive” recall for 292,000 crossovers within the class — 2006-2012 model years — due to a brake corrosion issue.
The automaker’s U.S. business says there have been no crashes, injuries or deaths related to the problem, Reuters reported. The company is offering to tow owners’ vehicles to dealers.
“After extended time in the field and in conjunction with significant water exposure, this corrosoion might lead to leakage of the brake booster,” according to a NHTSA filing. “In this case, the brake force support might be reduced, leading to an increase in the brake pedal forces required to decelerate the vehicle and/or to potentially increased stopping distance.
“Additionally, in rare cases of very severe corrosion, it might be possible or a particularly strong or hard braking maneuver to cause mechanical damage in the brake booster, whereby the connection between brake pedal and brake system would fail. In such a very rare case, it would not be possible to decelerate the vehicle via the service brake.”
NHTSA said vehicles that do not exhibit advanced corrosion can be driven with no further action, while vehicles with advanced corrosion must be examined. The agency also noted the foot parking brake is not affected.