Recall wrap: More than 7000 Mercedes-Benz cars recalled

Mercedes-Benz has announced a host of recalls in the past month affecting a broad range of models, from its A-Class compact car to Vito and Sprinter vans.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class raked in the most numbers in a single recall, with a total of 3728 examples of the C 200 called back over a potential fire risk.

Affected models are those built from 2014-2015, with Benz saying the alternator may fail under specific operating and ambient conditions, which in extreme circumstances could see it overheat and catch fire.

You can click here to see a list of affected VINs.

Other Mercedes-Benz models to be recently called back into dealerships are detailed below, but here’s a rundown of the latest recalls from a variety of brands, from A to V…

Audi Australia has announced a nationwide recall for 702 models, including the Audi A4, A5, A6, Q7 and Q8, all built between 2018 and 2021.

The German car-maker noted potential faults with the seat belt warning (both acoustic warning tone and visual display) on recalled models, saying the driver may not be informed when a seat belt is unbuckled and removed whilst driving.

Affected owners – VIN list here – are being asked to contact their local Audi dealer to organise a free inspection and repair.

Hyundai has recalled 198 examples of the MY21 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV fitted with the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.

The fuel supply pipe attached to the engine may be defective, which could result in a fuel leak and increase the risk of an engine compartment fire. Click here for more details.

JLR has announced a recall affecting 22 examples of its 2021 Range Rover Evoque due to a potential fault with the driver’s seat belt.

According to the notice, the “vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism in the driver seat belt assembly may not lock as designed when the retractor body or vehicle is decelerated or tilted”, meaning the seat belt may not operate correctly in the event of an accident. Click here for further details.

The same problem has affected 31 examples of 2021 Jaguar E-PACE – details here.

At the same time, the all-new Land Rover Defender 90 (MY2020-21) has been recalled over separate front seat dramas. According to the recall notice, “the front seat end stop brackets may not meet specifications”, which may in turn allow the seat to latch further forward than intended.

This could lead to reduced seat performance or strength in the event of an accident.
Click here for a VIN list of affected models.

JLR said it will contact all affected owners to organise free inspection and repair.

Along with the aforementioned Mercedes-Benz C 200 recall, the German car-maker is calling back a further 2847 examples of its MY17-built Mercedes-Benz A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class and GLA-Class (click here for a VIN list).

This time, a universal joint in the steering shaft that wasn’t manufactured to specifications is to blame and could cause a loss of steering in affected models.

Elsewhere, 322 examples of the 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) van are being called back over concerns surrounding the front brake hoses. The company says the hoses could rub against other components, resulting in leaking brake fluid and a loss of braking performance (VIN list here).

A further 665 Sprinter vans from the same timeframe (see VIN list here) have also been recalled over a separate issue where “in the event of a frontal accident the power supply to the glow plugs may not be completely disconnected”. Mercedes says this could result in a vehicle fire.

Separately, 25 examples of Mercedes’ Vito and V-Class vans (2020-built) are being called back over potential roof rail concerns. The centre support for the external roof railing may become loose or detach while driving, the company admits, which presents a risk to vehicle occupants and other road users. You can click here for specific vehicles impacted.

Elsewhere, Benz has also recalled 46 examples of the MY21 C-Class Convertible (205 platform) and E-Class Convertible (238 platform), saying the rear head restraints may not be fitted correctly and could move or detach in the event of an accident. Click here for more.

Finally, 2016-built Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and C 43 models are being called back over a fire risk. Just two examples are affected, with Mercedes explaining that “the connection of the gas lines of the inertisation system (designed to decrease the probability of a fire) of your vehicle might not meet manufacturing specifications, increasing the risk of fire in an event of an accident”. Click here for affected VINs.

In all cases, the manufacturer says it will contact affected owners to organise free inspection and repairs.

A total of 1158 Nissan Patrol SUVs (all built between 2019-2020) are being recalled due to possible faulty fuel pump modules.

The Japanese car-maker said the module could bind internally, restricting or stopping fuel to the engine, and that “if fuel flow is restricted or stopped, the engine may stall during driving and the vehicle may not restart”. Click here for more.

Nissan has also recalled eight examples of its 2020-built Z34 370Z and R35 GT-R, saying the front steering knuckle and/or rear axle housing may not meet design specification and could deform under pressure.

If this occurs, Nissan says the steering wheel may become off-centre, or the wheels may separate from the vehicle. Click here for affected VINs.

Nissan Australia says replacement parts are not yet available for either the Patrol recall or the 370Z and GT-R issue, but will notify owners once parts arrive to organise free inspection and repairs.

Tesla is calling back 97 examples of the Tesla Model 3 (and Model Y, although numbers here are not specified) – built from 2018-2020 – due to seat belt bolts in the front row that might not be tightened sufficiently.

The recall notice says that in the event of an accident, the seat belt may not operate when required, increasing the risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants. Click here for affected vehicles.

The manufacturer says it will contact affected owners to schedule repairs once replacement parts become available.

The compliance plate stamped to a total of 60 Toyota HiLux models could contain incorrect information, Toyota announced in a nationwide recall this month.

Specifically, an incorrect GVM capacity could be recorded, meaning the vehicle isn’t compliant with Australian Design Rule 61/02. Click here to see if your HiLux is affected by this recall.

Meanwhile, 41 examples of the Toyota Prius (ZVW50) built from 2020-2021 could have a faulty pre-collision braking system on board. Toyota says “the pre collision system (PCS) software programming may cause a delayed application of the pre-crash brake assist function”.

Delayed application could lead to an accident, according to the car-maker. Click here for a VIN list of affected models.

Volkswagen Australia has recalled various models in the past month, the first of which includes 99 examples of the Volkswagen Polo city car.

Volkswagen says on some Polos, a backrest frame with incorrect welding may have been fitted on the front seats. In the event of an accident, the backrest could fail, resulting in injury.

Elsewhere, a total of 67 MY21 Volkswagen Touareg models have been called back after it was found that nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly may not meet manufacturing specifications and could break.

The company explained that “a broken nut may lead to increased movement between the wishbone and hub carrier and a change in the wheel alignment on the rear axle”. Click here for a list of affected VINs.

A total of 2979 Volvo models have been recalled due to a low-pressure fuel pump fuse that could blow, causing the engine to stall.

Models affected include Volvo S60, V60, XC60 and XC90, all built between 2019-2020. Click here for a VIN list.