Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Manufacturer
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
Vehicles affected
125,228
Reported to NHTSA
2008-09-17
Owners notified
2008-11-15
Defect description
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 125,228 MY 1998-2004 M-CLASS VEHICLES. THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.
Safety risk
THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Manufacturer remedy
AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003, WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Manufacturer
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
Vehicles affected
211,000
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-27
Owners notified
2003-06-16
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.
Safety risk
THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY. IF THE PLASTIC COVER IS LOOSE DURING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE BUCKLE TONGUE TO THE LATCH MECHANISM, THE BUCKLE COULD UNLATCH.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES. IF EITHER THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE CERTIFICATION LABEL ON THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."
Safety risk
THE REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING WAS LISTED AS 3257 LB. INSTEAD OF 3527 LB. AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS LISTED AS 276 RATHER THAN 275. A CONSUMER COULD INCORRECTLY INFLATE THE TIRES OR IMPROPERLY LOAD THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE OWNER'S HOME AND REMOVE THE NON-COMPLIANCE LABEL AND REPLACE THIS WITH A LABEL WHICH IS IN COMPLIANCE.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling
1
37,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
1
—
Power train: driveline
1
67,700 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
1
37,400 mi
Structure: body: door
1
—
Structure: body: roof and pillars
1
110,000 mi
The 1999 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.