‘Stop driving IMMEDIATELY’: Urgent warning for 17,000 Aussie drivers as their cars are recalled over a brake fault
- ML, GL and R Class models, manufactured in the years 2005 – 2013 are affected
- Braking performance could be affected by sealing corrosion that might occur
- This may increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to road users
The federal government has urgently recalled three Mercedes-Benz models due to faulty brakes affecting the safety of more than 17,000 drivers in the country.
Models affected range from the ML, GL and R Class models, manufactured between the years of 2005-2013 – with 17,687 units affected.
‘Stop driving your vehicle immediately and contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz service center to arrange for an inspection as soon as possible,’ the government website said on Thursday.
A reduction in braking performance with Mercedes-Benz vehicles could increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users
Mercedes-Benz GL models from 2013 (pictured) are among two others that were recalled on Thursday
‘A reduction in braking performance could increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.’
The defects concern the sealing connected to the brake booster, which may reduce significantly from corrosion, with fears hard braking could do serious damage in some cases.
The faults could lead to leakage of the brake booster bringing on a ‘reduction in braking performance’.
Mercedes-Benz authorized service centers will inspect vehicles to see if there is corrosion, and will test the brake booster.
The high-end brand will work with owners to arrange an alternate transport solution if needed until the affected parts are replaced.
The fresh recall comes after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched legal action against the famous marque last year.
It is alleged Mercedes-Benz did not comply with obligations after a recall was put out relating to its defective – and potentially deadly – Takata airbags between 2018 and 2020.
The consumer watchdog alleges the German car-maker had minimized the risks associated with the airbags.
The ACCC said the Takata recall was the first motor vehicle compulsory recall required in Australia under the Australian Consumer Law.
‘[It] was the biggest vehicle recall in Australian history, affecting over 4 million Takata airbags in around 3 million vehicles,’ the ACCC said.
Meanwhile, Merceds-Benz brand sales hit a 10-year low in February as it posted a 55 per cent sales drop, following a switch to non-negotiable fixed prices and ongoing lack of stock issues.
Mercedes-Benz was contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia.
Mercedes-Benz Recall Support
1800 074 939
MB-recallsupport@cdmdirect.com.au
The fresh recall comes after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched legal action against the high-end car-maker last year
Mercedes-Benz models affected
Refer to the table below for Models, Model Years, and the first six digits of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the affected vehicles:
Model VIN first 6 digits year
ML 280 WDC164 2005 – 2011
ML 300 WDC164 2005 – 2011
ML 320 WDC164 2005 – 2011
ML 350 WDC164 2005 – 2011
ML 500 WDC164 2005 – 2011
ML 63 WDC164 2005 – 2011
GL 320 WDC164 2006 – 2012
GL 350 WDC164 2006 – 2012
GL 420 WDC164 2006 – 2012
GL 450 WDC164 2006 – 2012
GL 500 WDC164 2006 – 2012
R 280 WDC251 2005 – 2016
R 300 WDC251 2005 – 2016
R 320 WDC251 2005 – 2016
R 350 WDC251 2005 – 2016
R 500 WDC251 2005 – 2016
R 63 WDC251 2005 – 2016
Note: All R Class on the table after 2012 are vehicles that may have been privately imported into Australia.
Source: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications