Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, has initiated a recall affecting 42,742 vehicles, stemming from a potential defect in the rear axle brake pad wear inspection system, as reported on November 1, 2023. This recall, identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as 23V-732, involves specific 2019-2021 models of A-Class, CLA, GLA, and GLB vehicles.
Why It Matters
The recall is significant as it covers 100% of the specified vehicle population, indicating that each unit might lack the necessary inspection gauge for checking rear brake pad wear. This omission could potentially increase the risk of a crash due to unrecognized deterioration of the brake system, although the vehicles are designed to notify the driver of front axle wear, which typically occurs first.
Key Points
- The affected vehicles, produced between August 20, 2018, and May 15, 2020, include several models of the A-Class, CLA, GLA, and GLB.
- Mercedes-Benz AG acknowledges that these vehicles may not have been provided with the inspection gauge for the rear axle brake pads, nor the instructions for its use in the owner’s manual.
- Despite this, internal tests affirm that even with completely worn rear brake pads, the vehicles meet legal stopping distance requirements, and the electronic driving safety systems remain functional.
- The recall was prompted by a documentation error in the production control system, discovered through internal quality assurance analyses.
Bottom Line
Mercedes-Benz is addressing the issue by instructing dealers to provide the missing inspection gauges and the supplementary owner’s manual information to the affected vehicle owners. The documentation in the production control system has been amended to prevent future occurrences. Dealers are set to be notified on November 8, 2023, while vehicle owners can expect notification before December 31, 2023. This preemptive measure by Mercedes-Benz underscores its commitment to safety and compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
