Recall wrap: Mercedes-Benz recalls almost 7000 cars

Mercedes-Benz is calling back almost 7000 vehicles across Australia, with two separate recall notices issued this week that involve at least 10 models in the luxury brand’s line-up – from sedans to sports cars and EVs.

The most significant is a safety notice involving a total of 4837 examples of the Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS SUVs (167 Series), built between 2019 and 2023.

According to the German manufacturer, a software issue in the transmission control module could cause the transmission to downshift under certain conditions, which could result in a sudden loss of engine power.

A free transmission software update is required to fix affected vehicles, something Mercedes-Benz Australia is encouraging affected owners to contact their local dealership to organise.

The federal government’s Vehicle Recalls website includes a VIN list of vehicles involved in this recall.

Elsewhere, a total of 1983 Mercedes-Benz cars built from 2023-2024 have been recalled in a separate notice, including the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, CLE, AMG GT sports car and a pair of electric vehicles – the EQE and EQS.

A potentially faulty fuse box is to blame, said to be the result of a manufacturing defect that could lead to a sudden loss of power and/or a vehicle fire.

“A sudden loss of motive power whilst driving and/or a vehicle fire could increase the potential risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users, bystanders and/or damage to property,” the car-maker said in the notice.

Owners of affected vehicles should contact their local Mercedes-Benz dealership to have the fuse box replaced, free of charge.

Audi’s earlier electric vehicle range has also been hit with a recall notice this week, where 123 examples of the Audi e-tron are at risk of catching fire.

According to the German manufacturer, the high-voltage battery may experience a thermal overload if charged to over 80 per cent of its capacity, which could cause the battery to overheat and cause a vehicle fire.

The safety notice published on the federal Vehicle Recalls website covers Audi e-tron 55 and e-tron Sportback 55 SUVs, manufactured between 2018 and 2022.

Audi Australia will contact affected owners to organise a free inspection. However, in the meantime it is asking owners of affected vehicles to temporarily limit the charging target to 80 per cent capacity under the ‘Charging Target’ menu in the infotainment unit or myAudi app.

Audi says a software upgrade to fix the issue is currently being developed. Until then, the car-maker advises that “the owner returns the vehicle for an inspection and potential replacement of the battery every four months”.

In another setback for Ford Australia’s RHD pick-up truck program, more than 2000 examples of Ford F-150 are being called back to the dealership due to the fitment of indicator lamps that don’t comply with Australian Design Rules (ADR).

A total of 2020 examples (all built from 2021-2023) are involved in the safety notice, which states the side direction indicator lamps do not comply with ADR 13/00 – Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group vehicles.

Ford says it will contact affected owners to carry out free repairs once replacement parts become available.

Until then, there is no safety hazard associated with this recall and it does not affect the performance of the vehicle.

Elsewhere, a total of 286 examples of the Suzuki Jimny are being called back by the Japanese car-maker’s Queensland distributor – which operates separately to Suzuki Australia – due to a fuel pump issue.

Impacting models built between 2018 and 2019, Suzuki Auto Co Queensland says a manufacturing defect could cause the fuel pump impeller to swell, which could in turn cause the fuel pump to stop working and the engine to stall, “resulting in a loss of power”.

Affected owners will be contacted by the distributor in writing to organise an appointment to have the fuel pump replaced, free of charge.