Mercedes-Benz issues recall for 116,000 vehicles due to fire risk

WEB DESK: Mercedes-Benz has announced a recall of more than 116,000 vehicles due to concerns over loose electrical wiring under the passenger seat, which could potentially lead to a fire hazard.

This comes as the latest in a series of recalls by the German automaker over the past month.

The affected vehicles include certain models of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE manufactured between 2021 and 2024, GLE vehicles produced from 2019 to 2024, and Maybach sedans from the 2021-2023 model years, as outlined in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Regulators have identified a loose 48-volt ground connection, which is part of the wiring system under the passenger seat.

This issue poses a risk of overheating, potentially leading to a fire hazard. Notably, Mercedes-Benz has stated that no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of this defect.

The automaker plans to commence contacting affected customers starting May 14. Mercedes-Benz attributes the loose wiring to mechanical work performed during the manufacturing process, although it has not definitively linked the issue to any specific cause.

Affected customers are urged to visit Mercedes-Benz dealerships, where the wiring will be inspected and tightened free of charge.

In addition to this recall, Mercedes-Benz has issued three other recalls in the past month for unrelated issues. These include a recall of over 105,000 GLE and GLS vehicles due to a defective transmission, which may fail to downshift properly under certain conditions, posing a risk of engine stalling and potential crashes.

Another recall involved nearly 32,000 vehicles for a defective fuse, which could result in a sudden loss of driving power or essential safety functions, further increasing the risk of accidents or injuries.

Additionally, a global recall of 250,000 vehicles was initiated due to defective fuses that could heighten the risk of fire, impacting various models including some AMG GT, C-Class, and E-Class vehicles from the 2023 model year.

In 2023, Mercedes-Benz recalled a total of 478,175 vehicles in the United States alone, according to NHTSA data, contributing to the more extensive trend of recalls across the automotive industry, which saw over 23.7 million vehicles recalled in total.