Nearly 1 Million Mercedes-Benz Vehicles Recalled Over Fire Risks
After receiving over 50 reports of vehicle fires, German multinational automotive corporation Daimler AG has announced that it is recalling roughly 1 million models of Mercedes-Benz vehicles worldwide. According to the automaker, approximately 308,000 of the recalled vehicles, as well as 30 of the 51 reported vehicle fires, come from the United States. Auto dealers across the country will suspend the sale of any recalled vehicles until they can be fixed.
Vehicles affected by the recall include certain newer Mercedes-Benz vehicles from model years 2015 to 2017 for the following:
- C-class sedan
- E-Class sedan
- CLA sedan
- GLA crossover SUV
- GLC crossover SUV
In a statement made by Mercedes-Benz, the recall was issued over a defective fuse that can lead to overheating and fires. Specifically, a faulty current limiter in vehicles’ starter motors can cause the push-button start feature to become overloaded and fail. Following multiple failed attempts to start a vehicle, the current limiter can overheat, melt, and start fires.
A safety recall report released by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), further states the risk is most concerning in vehicles that have experienced damage to the engine or transmission serious enough to block the starter motor. Drivers who experience a failed start should be careful about repeated attempts to start the engine, as it can lead to overheating and, in the most serious cases, potentially ignite a fire.
If you or someone you love or know owns one of the affected models, you should have received, or will soon be receiving this month, a recall notice in the mail. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz reports that owners will again be notified in July when replacement fuses are available. You can find more information about whether your vehicle may be impacted by the recall on the NHTSA website.
The NHTSA recall report states that Daimler AG began looking into the issue when it started receiving reports of fires and engine damage in June of 2016. Following the investigation, the automaker determined that safety risks to drivers, passengers, and others cannot be ruled out, and the recall was later issued.
Clark, Fountain, Littky-Rubin & Whitman is known for protecting the rights of victims who have suffered serious harm as a result of defective products, including faulty auto parts. By law, auto product manufacturers have an obligation to ensure their products do not pose unreasonable harm to consumers, and they can be held accountable for injuries and damages caused by the unsafe products they make available to the public.
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