https://longisland.news12.com/merced...em-with-brakes

Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 292,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix a problem that could cause the brakes to fail or perform poorly.
The recall covers certain ML, GL and R-Class vehicles from the 2006 through 2012 model years.
Mercedes says in documents posted Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that moisture can get into a brake booster housing and cause corrosion.
The company says in documents that it has no reports of crashes or injuries.
Dealers will inspect the brake booster and replace it if needed. Owners will be notified by letter starting May 27.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-....Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 292,000 GL-, ML-, and R-Class SUVs from the 2006 through 2012 model years because of a potential problem with the brakes. Owners of vehicles included in the recall should not drive them until the free recall repair has been performed.

According to the automaker, prolonged exposure to water could result in some braking components becoming damaged, which could result in either reduced braking performance or total brake failure. The driver may need to press harder on the brake pedal, or the brakes might not work at all.

Both of these situations can lead to a crash and potential injuries. Only certain GL-, ML-, and R-Class vehicles are included in the recall. The foot-operated parking brake is not affected by this problem.

Drivers may notice a change in the brake pedal feel and/or a hissing or airflow noise when applying the brakes, if the vehicle is developing the problem.

The automaker began its investigation in July 2021 after a report of a customer from outside the U.S. experiencing reduced braking during a stop. After conducting numerous field studies and tests, including discovery of a single similar situation in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Association of the recall on May 5, 2022.

Mercedes-Benz says that there are no crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the defect.

The Recall Details

Vehicles recalled: 292,287 Mercedes-Benz SUVs

2007 Mercedes-Benz AMG R63
2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz GL320
2010-2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350
2007-2012 Mercedes-Benz GL450
2008-2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550
2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320
2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350
2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450
2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz ML500
2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550
2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz R320
2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz R500
2007-2011 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63
2006-2012 Mercedes-Benz R350
2008 Mercedes-Benz R550

The problem: Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which increases braking force when the driver presses on the brake pedal. If this happens, the driver may experience reduced brake performance or brake failure.

The fix: The dealer will inspect the brake booster housing on the affected vehicles. Vehicles that do not exhibit advanced corrosion may continue to be driven with no further action. Vehicles that show advanced corrosion will have an additional test performed to ensure the functionality of the brake booster. Vehicles that pass the additional test may be driven for up to two years but must return for an additional repair. Vehicles that do not pass the additional test will require a brake booster replacement.

The stop-drive notice will remain in effect for these vehicles until the brake booster is replaced. In the event a repair is necessary and cannot be carried out immediately, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will help coordinate an individual solution for the customer, including alternate mobility.

How to contact the manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners via mail starting May 27, 2022. Owners of affected vehicles may call Mercedes-Benz at 800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign number: 22V315.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.

If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, your vehicle doesn’t currently have one. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.

 

NYTSB recall notice attached

 

I just checked in the dealer website, recall campaign 2022050007

 

Cool, free brake booster yay!

do not drive it until you a) know you have the problem and b) mb gets around to fixing it…lol yeah right

 

Will the dealer provide me with a loaner in the meantime? This is my only car and I can't wait 15 days without a car until the problem gets fixed.
Anyone else in this same situation?

 

You will have to work with the dealer.

 

MB needs to recall the whole vehicle for water intrusion. Such a shame that the GL is not even water resistant as it ages.

 

IF your car is affected, it won't take 15 days to fix it. You should only be out the vehicle a day or two.

Stealth, thanks for posting this! Mine isn't currently "on the list", but I wonder if the list isn't updated till the end of the month? I suspect it's already as updated as it will get, though? No biggie - I guess that means everything is OK with mine... although I'm going to take a close look at the brake fluid! Last time I checked it was good, though - just a bit dark and getting ready for a flush.

 

NP, my wife informed me…she’s the primary driver.

I don’t show up on the NHTSA page when entering VIN, but if I enter on MBUSA under recall, it does show up.

 

The recall is for the brake booster -

"Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure."

so any problems should manifest in pedal effort, not the fluid itself.

 

Given I have generally kept my vehicle dry, and the nearest dealer is 45 minutes away, I am disinclined to take MB up on their generous offer. If it includes a loaner vehicle, I might be swayed, but still it would be three hours drive time at a minimum.

BV8 is right; the vulnerability of this thing to water intrusion is disheartening. It illustrates an overall lack of robustness. It is a sturdy vehicle at 5300#, but most everything about it is dishearteningly finicky.

 

Another sound reason for why One should pick a used GL very carefully. Cars with water intrusion are parts cars.

 

Well the article states if your car is one of these mentioned to stop using the car.
I put my VIN in the https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls and nothing comes up.

 

Y’all should be a little bit pragmatic about not using your car if your Vin comes up. Maybe even go look at your brake booster to see if you have visible corrosion - because if you don’t and the brakes feel good, there’s little reason to severely inconvenience yourself in order to avoid the minuscule risk of a weak or failing brake booster.

This is not like the EBC system on the W-211 series where the brakes would just quit on you when a certain number of pedal actuation has been reached. And by quit I do mean quit completely. In your driveway. In traffic.

I stayed in a Holiday Inn express last night, but I am not a lawyer and this certainly ain’t legal advice.

 

I agree with what Max said regarding this. Of course they say that... they HAVE to CYA themselves! A piece of paper doesn't know if your car is safe to drive, or not. All they can do is cover themselves with a banket statement.

Good point, Eric... I completely glossed over that fact!

 

I just tried on MB's site - same thing as you. I guess the NHTSA won't update till a little later. On the MB site, it says "pending" so probably the NHTSA won't show it till it's actually active?

 

I mentioned this above. My vehicle does not show up in NHTSA VIN search, but does on Mercedes USA Recall search

https://www.mbusa.com/en/recall

 

I agree. Most cars are probably fine; as the documents indicate no accidents have occurred because of the brake booster being corroded. MBUSA needs to cover themselves for if something does happen. If something happens now with it, they can claim, "we told them not drive it until looked at."

In full transparency though, I did reach out to my dealer and informed them I would like a loaner asap until they can look at the vehicle.

 

Just called dealer, and they have no f**kin' clue: said they just learned about the recall when the press got it, have no guidance or plan as to how to handle it, and stated it may take 4 weeks to get to inspecting owner's vehicles. No mention of towing, loaners or consideration for loss of use of the vehicle. Note: the "don't drive order" is stated as "voluntary" on the NHTSA.gov website:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases...y-do-not-drive

From what I can tell, the issue is moisture inside the bellows that houses the pedal linkage to booster cylinder connection. If the area looks like its been dry and I'm able to peek inside the bellows and it looks good, then I'll wait to someday have he dealer look at it.

 

So just crawled under there and took a look at the booster housing. Spotless, clean, dry. No signs of any moisture intrusion, stain in carpet, leaks, drips on firewall. A tiny amount of oil dampness on the pedal side of the bellows, which may be brake fluid seep, or simply grease from the pedal clevis attachment. Brakes remain solid and functional.

The official recall docs note there was 1 case of a corrosion induced failure in Europe, and 1 case in the US. WTH? Recall on short notice 290k vehicles?

Checked the box moving on...
But will continue to wonder the rationale for MB handing this way and not providing advance notice and planning to their dealer networks.
...unless it is an ill conceived marketing ploy to get more people into dealerships for paid service (while doing the recall 'check') or outright create turnover to sell new cars.

 

Looks to me like they are talking about the outside of the booster housing.

 

Booster without aesthetic ring:

 

My wife’s 2010 ML350 showed up on the MB site. Called the dealer yesterday - she said I was her 17th call by 9:05am and yes they had no idea, they gave me the 1-800#.
1st call to the 800# on hold 47 minutes then someone picked up and hung up, 2nd call on hold 37 minutes- women was VERY nice good sense of humor and gave me the other 800#
I have yet to call

whether the car is ok or not my wife isn’t driving it. My job on Monday is to figure out how to have it towed to the dealer - 66 miles away - and figure “alternative” transportation
which the notice states “dealer will work to figure out alternative transportation”

we’ll see I don’t have even LOW expectations that this going to work

 

again, pragmatics carry the day here while hysterics are gonna have a bad time.




I’ve got the affected booster.

It’s bone dry around the circumference. Brakes are fine.

i will drive my GL to the dealer and claim my free new booster when they get their **** together.

 

My understanding is the issue occurs on the other end, inside the firewall; corrosion inside the (cosmetic) bellows cover. See gb25's post above.