Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling roughly 1,700 vehicles containing improperly built electrical components.
The manufacturer’s Jacksonville, Florida-based branch notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 15, 2018 they will recall 1,701 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 4Matic, 2018 Mercedes-Benz S450 4Matic, 2018 Mercedes-Benz S650, 2018 Mercedes-Benz S450, 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560, 2018 S560 4Matic, and 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Coupe 4Matic vehicles built between Sept. 5, 2017 and Dec. 14, 2017.
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The affected vehicles come equipped with electrical power bars inside pre-fuse boxes located in their trunks. The bars were not secured properly, causing higher electrical power resistance, increasing fire risk. Intermittent contact between the power bars can also can impair engine operation, seat belt functions and the instrumentation cluster, increasing crash risk.
Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, launched an investigation following a field report outside the United States. Daimler AG engineers met with engineers with components supplier Leoni Bordnetz-Systeme and determined in November 2017 that two nuts within the pre-fuse box weren’t installed. Analysis continued into 2018, and engineers eventually determined a problem within the component manufacturer’s torque station caused the defect. Further investigation identified the affected vehicle range, and the company decided in June 2018 to recall the vehicles.
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Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the pre-fuse box, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 15, 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 lawyers 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.