Mercedes is recalling 323,963 models in service of the Mercedes GLE/ML and GLE Coupe series due to water ingress into the spare wheel well. The recall was announced in the U.S., and it will also follow in Germany.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and automaker Mercedes have launched a recall campaign for the GLE/ML and GLE Coupé vehicles in the U.S., informs the German magazine auto motor und sport. 323,963 vehicles are currently affected in the U.S.
A similar operation will follow in Germany. KBA, the competent German authority similar to NHTSA, will announce the recall operation shortly.
Mercedes announced that the affected models are the GLE/ML produced between 2012 and 2020 (codename W166) and the GLE Coupe (codename C292) made between 2015 and 2020. The phenomenon is the following: water enters the back of the car and can accumulate in the spare wheel well.
In certain situations and depending on how much water has entered the spare wheel well, the accumulated water can come into contact with the fuel pump control unit. Because of this, the fuel supply to the engine could be interrupted, causing it to stop suddenly.
The cause of this problem needs to be clarified. The accumulation of water may be caused by specific non-compliant production tolerances that affect the tightness of the back part but also by a possible influence on how the luggage is loaded and unloaded. Each cause can lead to a different problem and water build-up in the spare wheel well.
Before the problem occurs, the driver may be alerted to water ingress by a spot of water behind the vehicle or the sound of water droplets falling into the spare wheel well. In some cases, the check engine LED in the dashboard may light up to warn of this problem.
To resolve the issue, Mercedes will fit a water drain plug in the spare wheel well on affected vehicles. In addition, the fuel pump control unit will be replaced if necessary. The recall can be found at NHTSA under number 22V-955.
Here is the model series affected, numbering 323,963 vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz GLE 300 d (model year 2016) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (1,717 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d (model year 2016) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (9 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (model year 2016-2018) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (128,192 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 (model year 2016 – 2019) produced between July 2011 – November 24, 2019 (9,302 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 (model year 2017 – 2019) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (23,149 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 (model year 2016) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (5,739 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz GLE 550 Hybrid (model year 2016 – 2018) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (1,206 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 (model year 2016 – 2020) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (4,928 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz ML 250 d (model year 2015) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (3,295 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz ML 350 d (model year 2012 – 2015) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (10,765 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz ML 350 (model year 2012 – 2015) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (126,978 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz ML 400 (model year 2015) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (3,729 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz ML 550 (model year 2012-2014) produced between July 1, 2011, and November 24, 2019 (3,255 vehicles)
Mercedes-Benz AMG ML 63 (model year 2012-2015) produced between July 1, 2011 – November 24, 2019 (1,699 vehicles)
