Mercedes Calls Back 324,000 SUVs, Citing Engine Stalling Risk
» Posted February 20, 2023 • Resources | Share This Post
Mercedes-Benz says a slew of its sport utility vehicles are at risk of stalling and need to be inspected.
The company is recalling some 324,000 Mercedes-Benz ML and GLE SUVs, it recently told federal regulators. Water could build up in the vehicles’ spare wheel wells, which can set off a device that causes engines to shut down, according to the automaker.
“In certain driving situations, and depending on the amount of water that has entered the spare wheel well, the accumulated water could intermittently contact the fuel pump control unit,” Mercedes-Benz said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Consequently, the fuel supply to the engine could be interrupted, which would lead to a loss of propulsion without warning.”
“In such circumstances, the risk of a crash could be increased,” the company added.
The recall covers certain ML and GLE SUVs from model years 2012 to 2020. The company says only about 1% of the recalled cars are actually affected.
Mercedes-Benz told NHTSA it plans to notify owners of recalled cars by Feb. 21. The company will ask owners to bring their vehicles to a local dealer for inspection and repair.
Other Mercedes Recalls
These kinds of recalls are sadly old hat for Mercedes-Benz and other major auto manufacturers, who call back millions of vehicles combined around the world every year.
Late last year, for example, Mercedes announced it is recalling nearly 125,000 Sprinter vans. The company told NHTSA that defective parking brakes could cause the vehicles to roll away while parked.
About five months earlier, the automaker said it was recalling roughly 1 million ML and GL sport utility vehicles, as well as R-class minivans built between 2004 and 2015. The company said at the time that the vehicles’ brakes may fail because of corrosion.
Mercedes said earlier last year that it was recalling some 2022 EQS electric vehicles because of a defect that posed a fire risk.
How the California Lemon Law Works
Fortunately, Mercedes owners and lessors in the Golden State have some important rights and protections under the California lemon law.
The lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or simply refuse to fix. That means compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.
There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback requirement kicks in. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your options.
Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a Mercedes-Benz or other car owner or lessor stuck with a lemon or locked in a dispute with a manufacturer over repairs, the lemon law attorneys at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help.
Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer today.
