Mercedes-Benz USA will recall more than 10,000 vehicles containing beltline trim that can fall from the vehicle.
The manufacturer’s Jacksonville, Florida-based branch notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) they will recall 10,826 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Cabriolet, 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet, 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 Cabriolet, 2017-2018 and Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S Cabriolet vehicles built between May 11, 2016 and Oct. 17, 2017.
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The affected vehicles come equipped with rear beltline trim improperly bonded to the vehicle. This trim could fall from the vehicle, creating a road hazard and increasing crash risk for others on the road.
Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, began an investigation in October 2017 after an internal quality check found insufficiently bonded rear beltline trim. Engineers found the trim’s aluminum profile showed partial delamination from the base part. Investigations continued through the rest of 2017, eventually finding part supplier SAM Automotive failed to apply a necessary primer during the production process.
Daimler AG initiated a second investigation in February 2018 examining the short- and long-term consequences of insufficient primer application eventually determining in July 2018 it created a potential safety hazard.
Mercedes-Benz USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear beltline trim and replace the trim if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 9, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes-Benz owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.