Recall wrap: Fire risk for multiple Mercedes-Benz vehicles

Mercedes-Benz Australia has recalled a slew of vehicles in recent weeks, with various models across the German luxury car-maker’s line-up being called back for inspection and repairs.

Among them, 1413 examples of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 SUV are being called back. Affected models include those built from 2018-2020, with concerns over vehicle wiring.

The company says a short-circuit may occur if the positive wiring to the starter motor becomes chafed, which could occur as a result of regular vehicle use. Depending on the type of short-circuit, Benz says there’s a risk of fire or engine start failure, which increases the risk of an accident.

The manufacturer is asking those owners affected by the recall to contact their local dealer to organise free repair. 

In a separate recall, Mercedes-Benz is calling back 2020-built examples of its C-Class, GLC and all-electric EQC over a different type of fire risk.

A total of 719 vehicles are affected by the recall, which Mercedes says may affect power steering functionality.

“Due to a manufacturing defect, the wiring harness of the steering wheel control unit may be damaged,” the car-maker said. “The damage can allow water or moisture into the wiring harness, which can cause a short-circuit, resulting in a loss of electric power steering.”

If steering failure occurs, a warning message will appear on the instrument cluster. It also warns that along with the loss of electric steering, an increased risk of fire is present.

Again, vehicle owners impacted by the recall are being asked to contact their local Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Elsewhere in its range, the manufacturer is calling back 19 examples of the MY20 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which could have a missing ISOFIX seat belt bracket in the right rear seat.

The company says a child seat can still be fitted but will not be securely fastened and attached to correct specification, meaning the child may not be adequately restrained.

Eleven examples of the 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van (model code VS30) have also been recalled because the gear recognition function in the transmission may not operate as intended. This could lead to a reversing light malfunction.

The 2020-built Mercedes-Benz GLA compact SUV also requires attention, with the company saying the front passenger airbag’s ground connection on 13 identified vehicles may not meet specifications.

According to the recall notice, this may mean that an electrostatic charge could be diverted via the ground connection and may trigger the front passenger airbag at random.

Mercedes-Benz says the aforementioned recalls increase the risk of an accident and/or serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users and is asking owners of affected A-Class, Sprinter vans and GLA-Class models to contact their local dealerships to arrange free repairs.

In other recall news, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Australia has announced a nationwide recall for its 2019-2021-built Land Rover Discovery SUV.

A total of 1541 Land Rover Discoverys are caught up in the recall, which is said to be due to electrical faults. JLR says there may be insufficient contact of the start-up battery ground stud to the chassis.

“Vehicles may exhibit a range of electrical faults, including cutting out while being driven and losing all electrical power,” the British car-maker said.

The company says the fault could increase the risk of an accident that may result in death or injury to vehicle occupants and other road users, saying it will contact affected owners by writing to organise a free inspection and repair. 

Click here to see if your Land Rover Discovery is affected by this recall.

Nissan is also recalling 56 examples of its MY19 Nissan JUKE (model code F15), which could have a faulty driver’s airbag.

The Japanese car-maker says the heat shield around the front driver airbag inflator may not be in the proper position. If this is the case, Nissan says hot gas may damage the airbag material or cause it to tear upon inflation, which increases the risk of injury and/or death to vehicle occupants in the event of an accident where the airbag is triggered.

Nissan will contact affected owners to organise free replacement of the driver’s airbag assembly. Click here to see if your JUKE is affected in this recall.

Elsewhere, Peugeot is calling back 22 examples of its Peugeot 4008 SUV (2016 model year), which could have parking brake problems.

The French manufacturer says excessive internal tolerances of the rear brake callipers means there may be insufficient engagement of the parking brake. Peugeot says this may cause the vehicle to move when parked, increasing the risk of an accident or injury.

Affected owners are being asked to contact their local Peugeot dealership to have the rear callipers replaced. Click here for a full list of affected VINs.