It's the latch/lock mechanism inside the door. And from my experience, it will work fine.... until it doesn't... and you can't close the rear door any more.

 

Car manufacturers are legally required to file copies of safety recall related TSBs with the NHTSA. I continue to check NHTSA's website every week, but so far MBUSA hasn't filed it. Surely it must be available if the recall work is currently being performed at dealers, so who knows why it's not yet filed. The 573 report (attached) is all that's available as of right now. It vaguely describes the affected components, but doesn't include the repair procedure.

 

They had to remove the door panels and said mine was their first and it was a real pita. They didn’t damage anything, they know how particular I am. I don’t let them wash my G. It still shows as an open recall on my vehicle even though it’s been completed.

 

Yeah the dealer I have mine scheduled with said they haven't done one yet, so I'm tempted to push it back. it only took a week for the backordered latches to come in.

 

They didn’t damage anything, I’d go ahead and have them changed. Just let them know how particular you are. They will have to send the parts back if you don’t have it done.

 

I had no issues with the repair on mine. I actually needed the repair twice - once it failed before the recall so they replaced with the old part, then again repaired with the updated parts.

 

In talking with my dealer about this recall, they confirmed that they replace latches that have failed with ones in stock and then order the recall latches by VIN.

Here’s what happened to me;

I went in with the recall letter and they ordered my parts from Germany.
After 2 weeks, yesterday I went in and asked the parts guy to check to see if they were in and they were.
So I decided to wait on the install ..their estimate 1.5-2.0 hrs.

After awhile the Service Mgr and I went to check with the tech to see if he was almost done…NOPE!!
Apparantly the replacement parts from Germany were sent with missing parts. There is a small hook for each latch that wasn’t in the box.
Fortunately it is a regional parts depot in stock item. So they had it FEDEX’d 20 miles to the dealer arriving today.

Hopefully I’ll get the “G” back later today.

Suggestion: Ask the dealer to confirm that the latches are the revised replacement latches tied to your VIN and NOT a in stock item.
Ask that the tech inventory the box contents BEFORE starting the job so you don’t have to make 2 trips.

Regards

Jerry

 

Good point, had it done this week. Now I don't have to worry about the latches not working like 300SE1993 said can happen.

Thanks to both for describing your experiences. I was wanting to delay but hearing it could fail at any time wasn't something I wanted to risk. Also hearing "door latch issue" makes me think it would have been an easy fix, but I knew to expect it to take awhile.

Mine must have also been the dealer's first fix as they said one tech was working on it all day. It would have been done same day but they broke some plastic clips when they took the door panel off, which I know can happen. They overnighted the replacement clips and had it ready the next morning.

They took great care of it and didn't wash per my request and gave me a GLB loaner. They must not see many red G's based on comments made. Sales guy said they only have 7 new Mercedes on the lot currently. Crazy.

 

Glad everything worked out for both of you. Did you have them look at the active brake assist inoperable warning? I took mine back last Saturday morning and they reprogrammed some modules and did something with the sensors. I was told to bring it straight over there if I get the warning and not shut it off.

 

I'm still waiting for a call-back from the closest MB dealer who said he'd get the repair kit on order 3 weeks ago. I don't expect any follow-up, and will likely contact a different dealer to schedule the recall service

 

I didn’t have them look at the message but ironically I got the message later the same day I picked up.

Again the auto start stop on steering wheel wouldn’t work (it would highlight for a second then revert back), but pushing the button by the ignition did work, and after that the steering wheel button worked.

 

Very strange, I don’t have the AMG controls on my steering wheel, I have a heated carbon fiber steering wheel. They reprogrammed some modules and recalibrated the sensors last Saturday. The service manager wanted me to drive straight over there and not shut it off when the warning was on so they could hook it up to their computer.

 

Attached is the MB TSB that describes the door latch repair procedure.