Mercedes Warns Drivers Of Dangerous Fire Risk
Mercedes issued an urgent message warning owners that their cars can catch fire without warning.
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Mercedes-Benz is one of the world’s most popular vehicle brands, synonymous with reliability and safety. But just like any other company, they have experienced a fair share of problems over the years. The latest mishap is a technical defect that could start a fire! The company has informed owners of the fire risk posed by their cars.
The fire-starting defect was traced to a possible leakage in the coolant pump. This could cause other components to heat up, Daimler warned on Tuesday. However, Mercedes-Benz says a recall isn’t possible because the parts needed to fix the problem are not available. The news was first reported by German media outlet Bild, who published a copy of a letter that was sent to about 800,000 luxury vehicle owners affected by the defect.
Daimler confirmed the letter was authentic and that the risk of fire could not be ruled out. Mercedes-Benz also assured vehicle owners that a recall would be launched as soon as the components become available. The first round is expected to be processed towards the end of January. “In the meantime, the affected vehicle should be driven in a particularly prudent manner and usage reduced to the bare minimum,” the letter said.
According to Reuters, Daimler could not confirm that 800,000 vehicles were affected. However, the German car manufacture said anyone who owns a vehicle affected by a recall should always contact their nearest Mercedes-Benz service partner immediately. The affected models include Mercedes’ GLE/GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, S-Class, E-Class Coupe / Convertible, GLC, CLS, and G-Class automobiles produced between January 2017 and October 2021.
Mercedes-Benz produced the first car with anti-lock brakes in 1978. This is now a universal safety feature on all vehicles. Since then the company has been a leading force in vehicle technology, becoming the largest seller of premium vehicles in the world in 2018. When concerns were raised about Mercedes and Tesla vehicles that allowed drivers to play video games on dashboard screens in 2021, Mercedes was the first to issue a recall.
Mercedes-Benz isn’t alone in its manufacturing defect woes. Tesla recently issued two recalls on their vehicles due to increased crash risk. The first concerns the Model S latch assembly on the front trunk hood. If the primary latch is released accidentally and the secondary latch is not engaged, the trunk may open without warning and obstruct the driver’s visibility.
The second problem lies with Model 3 cars from 2017 to 2020 whose rearview cameras are losing connection to the primary display. This happens due to repeated opening and closing of the trunk which is damaging the cable for the rearview camera. The unavailability of the camera display may affect the driver’s back view and increase the risk of a collision.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration formally acknowledged the issue last week after being notified by the electric car company. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, the electric car company can fix the defects immediately and promises to do so free of charge once owners are informed.
