Mercedes-Benz Calls Back 140,000 Cars, Citing Fuel Pump Concerns

Mercedes-Benz recently issued a major recall, telling federal regulators that a fuel pump problem increases the risk of accidents for some 140,000 vehicles.

A wide range of cars and SUV models are covered by the recall, according to a defect notice that Mercedes-Benz filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recalled cars are at risk of shutting down unexpectedly, the automaker said.

“The fuel pump impeller might not meet current specifications in regards to material characteristics,” the company told NHTSA.

“The impeller might deform and therefore come into contact with the fuel pump housing, leading to a mechanical resistance,” Mercedes-Benz added. “In some instances, this could lead to a shutdown of the fuel pump.”

That is bad news for drivers and passengers in the vehicles, as well as anyone else on the road near them.

“The vehicle could lose propulsion, which could increase the risk of crash or injury,” the company acknowledged.

The recall covers the 2021-2023 GLE/GLS (W167 platform), C-Class (W205, W206 platform), E-Class (W213 platform), S-Class (W223 platform), SL (W232 platform), E-Class Coupe/Convertible (W238 platform), GLC (W253 platform), CLS (W257 platform), AMG GT 4-doors Coupe (W290 platform) and G-Class (W463 platform).

Mercedes-Benz plans to notify owners via mail by August 25, it told NHTSA. It will ask owners to bring their cars to authorized dealers to have the vehicles inspected and fuel delivery modules replaced.

California Mercedes-Benz Drivers: Know Your Rights

These kinds of recalls are sadly all too common for Mercedes-Benz owners and lessors.

The automaker in May announced that it was calling back some 8,000 vehicles, citing a software glitch that could render some safety features useless.

Mercedes-Benz said earlier in the year that it was recalling some 70,000 sport utility vehicles to fix a window trim issue. The company told federal regulators that rear door window trim bars may detach on some GLE and GLS models, increasing the risk of an accident.

That recall came shortly after Mercedes-Benz called back more than 300,000 SUVs over stalling risks. The company told NHTSA this time around that water could build up in the vehicles’ spare wheel wells, setting off a device that causes engines to shut down.

Fortunately, Mercedes and other vehicle owners in California have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law.

The law forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or decline to fix. 

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.