The Mercedes-Benz M-Class has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1998–2011. On average a defect was admitted 3.81 years after the car was built, the slowest took 12 years. The most recalled system is Steering (4 campaigns).
What was recalled on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Steering 4 Read
What's wrong. Mercedes-benz is recalling 577 my 2008 gl-class, m-class, and r-class vehicles. A defect may exist in the driving pin used to control the oil pressure of the power steering
Risk. If a defective driving pin exists in a vehicle and the pin breaks during normal vehicle turning, the normally available hydraulic support function will no longer function and steering wheel operation will be limited
Fix. Mercedes-benz will replace the steering gears. The recall began on january 28, 2009. Owner may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, a hose clamp that secures the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection
Risk. A loss of power steering fluid can damage the power steering pump and may result in diminished power assist for steering which could lead to a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the power steering hose clamp free of charge. The recall began on may 17, 2005. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
What's wrong. Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection
Risk. The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump. This could result in a loss of control and a crash without warning
Fix. An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles may not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (please see 03V121). Since it is not possible through inspection to identify specific vehicles that may not have been properly repaired, all vehicles repaired prior to…
Seat Belts 4 Read
What's wrong. Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, s7.3, "occupant crash protection." the seat belt chimes may not function as designed and is not consistent with the requirements of the standard
Risk. If the driver buckles his seat belt prior to starting the vehicle, the chime will not sound at all when the vehicle is started
Fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicles to ensure that the seat belt chime operates as required by the standard. Owner notification began september 25, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-201-573-0117
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belt anchor in the rear folding middle seating position may have been manufactured with out-of-tolerance hardware
Risk. If this is the case, the seat belt anchor may not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards
Fix. Dealers will install an additional rear middle seat belt anchor plate
What's wrong. Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." an audible seat belt buzzer warning sounds for approximately two seconds when the vehicle ignition is turned to the on or start position and the driver seat belt is fastened. This buzzer activation exceeds the limitations set forth in the standard
Risk. Drivers may become confused regarding the purpose of the chime
Fix. Dealers will repair the seat belt warning chime system
Electrical System 2 Read
What's wrong. Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor…
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed
Fix. Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
What's wrong. Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor…
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed
Fix. Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
What's wrong. Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor…
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed
Fix. Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
Vehicle Speed Control 2 Read
What's wrong. On certain vehicles, the accelerator pedal might not have been fully fastened to its mounting studs
Risk. Over time, the pedal may not maintain a consistent pedal position, which could make it more difficult to operate the accelerator
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install the mounting nuts of the accelerator pedal. The recall began on january 16, 2007. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
What's wrong. Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to reach a certain rate of deceleration. Mercedes-benz has determined that under certain circumstances use of the brake pedal may not automatically disengage cruise control as expected by the driver, although the other means of deactivating cruise control remain fully operative. Specifically, where the driver pumps the brakes rather than applying consistent pedal force, the…
Risk. Difficulty or delay in disengaging cruise control can increase the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began during october 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
What's wrong. Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to reach a certain rate of deceleration. Mercedes-benz has determined that under certain circumstances use of the brake pedal may not automatically disengage cruise control as expected by the driver, although the other means of deactivating cruise control remain fully operative. Specifically, where the driver pumps the brakes rather than applying consistent pedal force, the…
Risk. Difficulty or delay in disengaging cruise control can increase the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began during october 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
Fuel System, Other 1 Read
What's wrong. Mercedes benz is recalling certain model year 2011 m-class, model w164, gl-class, model x164, e-class, model w212, r-class, and model v251vehicles. The o-ring may not have been properly lubricated in all cases. Lack of lubrication can lead to leakage of the fuel filter
Risk. Diesel fuel may be deposited on roads and making those roads slippery, increasing the potential for a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel filters free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact mercedes benz at 1-800-367-6372. This campaign has been superseded . Please see recall campaign 11V-496
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
What's wrong. Mercedes benz is recalling 16,130 my 2009 m-class w164 passenger vehicles equipped with the optional power lift gate. As a result of a faulty seal around the rear tail lamp assembly, water may enter the rear compartment containing the spare tire. Water contamination of the control unit for the power lift gate can result in disabling of the power lift gate motor
Risk. Water will cause a short circuit which could lead to a fire
Fix. Dealers will replace the seal of the rear tail lamp assembly with a thicker one and reposition the affected power lift gate control unit inside the chassis. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during april 2009. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372
Tires 1 Read
What's wrong. Certain passenger vehicles equipped with dunlop sp5000 tires. Some of these tires have a separation around the entire circumference in the area of the side wall and tread
Risk. This could result in premature tire wear
Fix. Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the dunlop tires which exhibit this defect when visually inspected. Only dunlop tires in week 4901 with tire codes 4909 or 4917 are involved and will be replaced. Owner notification by telephone began febuary 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer…
Equipment 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The certification label on these vehicles fail to comply with the labeling requirements of part 567, "certification."
Risk. The rear gross axle weight rating was listed as 3257 lb. Instead of 3527 lb. And the tire size was listed as 276 rather than 275. A consumer could incorrectly inflate the tires or improperly load the vehicle
Fix. Dealers will send a representative to the owner's home and remove the non-compliance label and replace this with a label which is in compliance
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 3.81 years |
| Slowest campaign | 12 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 38.7% |
| Campaigns on record | 16 |
Which M-Class years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Fuel System, Other | |
| 2009 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2008 | Electrical System | |
| 2007 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 2006 | Steering | |
| 2004 | Steering | |
| 2003 | Steering | |
| 2002 | Tires | |
| 2001 | Electrical System | |
| 2000 | Seat Belts | |
| 1999 | Steering | |
| 1998 | Steering |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz M-Class have?
16 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1998–2011. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my M-Class still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 3.81 years, and the slowest campaign came 12 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.