jim256

from "The Car Connection" today (6/1):

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to conduct the biggest product recall in its history - a development compounding its recent rash of quality problems. The recall is particularly sensitive for the revered automaker because it involves the Sensotronic advanced braking system that the German automaker introduced three years ago on E-Class and SL cars as a failsafe advancement "nothing short of a revolution." A total of 680,000 Mercedes cars are being recalled worldwide, of which about 180,000 are in the U.S., according to the Wall Street Journal last week. The system's hydraulic tank can develop bubbles that cause braking failure, says the automaker, however no complaints have come from the U.S.

Developed by Robert Bosch GmbH at a cost of $150 million over a six-year period, the electronic brakes system relies on microchips to determine when emergency stopping is underway. The high-pressure hydraulic reservoir that backs up the electronic devices applies maximum braking instantaneously. In the Sensotronic technology, electronics vary the braking force on each wheel. Microchips note the car's speed and direction when the driver's foot leaves the accelerator. As soon as the driver's foot hits the brake pedal, braking force is applied most forcefully to the front outer wheel and then to the rear inner wheel.
A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz, Johannes Reifenrath, said that while the automaker plans to keep Sensotronic on E-Class, SL-Class, Maybach, and SLR McLaren cars, the system is very costly and other systems may be studied as possible replacements. Mercedes said that most complaints came from drivers of high-use vehicles, such as taxis. Mercedes has encountered a number of quality setbacks in recent years. Its reliability score on J.D. Power surveys rose to 318 problems per 100 vehicles last year for 2000-model-year vehicles and early in May stood at 108 problems in the first 90 days of ownership of 2004 vehicles. The brake recall could cost Mercedes about $30 million, Reifenrath said. -Mac Gordon

HotWheels500

Thanks for the information Jim256.

nyca

costly? did that other thread say it cost 200 pounds per car? that $400 on a $50K+ car. the costs of sensors, pumps, etc.

HELL ONA HARLEY

Well.... According to the numbers, this recall is going to cost MB about $45.00 a car???..... What the hell are they going to do for that amount of money?????

scorchie

You hook the computer up... then tell it to bleed the brakes. Walk away for 2 hours and when you come back, it should be done.

That is probably it.

-s-

HELL ONA HARLEY

I only wish they would work for me so cheap....

NATS64

My Tech guy tells me that it will be a simple firmware change. That would be a minimal cost for the recall.

MB-JIM

I believe they will be counting the number of brake actuations.