Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS | ||||||||||||||||
| 05V505000 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | from 11/01/1996 to 04/30/2004 | V (Vehicle) | 69278 | 09/12/2006 | ODI | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 11/01/2005 | 11/07/2005 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain passenger vehicles, failure of one of the side brake lights can occur. the base of the socket can be subject to thermal deformation over time. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This deformation can cause movement in the socket-to-bulb connection, which could lead to a loosening of the electrical contacts in the socket, and failure of the bulb to illuminate. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the rear lamp modules. the recall began on september 12, 2006, to approximately 8,200 owners. phase ii mailing is schedule on or about november 3, 2006, and phase iii mailing is schedule for january 2007 for the remaining owners. owners of vehicles with the updated trim (post-face lift) will get an interim notice during november 2006, asking them to schedule an appointment for rear tail lamp replacement later in 2007. however, if they experience an actual rear lamp failure before they receive that notice, they should come to their dealer immediately for a free repair. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Mercedes-benz recall no. 2006080005.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | ||||||||||||||||
| 02V152000 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | from 09/01/1999 to 05/31/2002 | V (Vehicle) | 27863 | 07/15/2002 | MFR | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 06/13/2002 | 06/13/2002 | 571 | 108 | |||||
| Defect Summary | Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. the owner's manual does not contain the proper headlamp aiming instructions. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This does not meet the requirements of the standard. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Owners will be provided with headlamp aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the operator's manual. owner notification began july 15, 2002. owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-201-573-0117. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS | ||||||
| PE05051 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 09/22/2005 | 12/02/2005 | BRAKE LAMP FAILURE | 05V505000 | |
| In its letter dated october 28, 2005, mercedes-benz usa stated that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy defective brake lamp assemblies in model year 1998 through 2004 mercedes benz slk vehicles.the base of the brake lamp socket can be subject to thermal deformation over time.this deformation can cause movement in the socket-to-bulb connection, which may lead to a loosening of the electrical contacts in the socket, and failure of the bulb to illuminate.all rear lamp modules (which contain brake, turn signal, tail and backup lamps) will be replaced with redesigned rear lamp modules with a more heat resistant material and enhanced socket holder design to withstand the heat inside the rear lamp module.see nhtsa recall no. 05v505 for more information. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||
| 12/29/2006 | 29005 | 1 | |
| Rear brake lamps failed over and over since vehicle purchased in 2001. dealer replaced bulbs numerous times and last replaced l & r bulbs on 12/29/2006 at 29005 miles. in april 2007 a safety recall was issued for rear brake lamps failure. rear lamps failed once again at 39697 miles and vehicle was brought in to beverly hills mb to have recall performed on may 30, 2008. rear brake lamps have failed once again as of 6/1/ 2012 with 78000 miles on vehicle in spite of the recall. inspections by an independent mercedes repair facility as well as simonson mercedes, santa monica reveal that the lamp sockets are failing due to electrical arcing and beginning to melt resulting in failure of the rear brake lamps to function. i am concerned that this is a serious safety issue which may result in a rear collision. i am hoping that yet another safety recall campaign can be initiated as it seems that the first recall was not entirely effective. thank you. *tr | |||
| 08/10/2004 | 5 | ||
| I am an owner of a 2001 slk 320. i have had chronic problems with headlamps and brake lamps going out , bulbs melting in lamps on brakes as well as headlamps. in the beginning these repairs were paid under manuf. warranty. however, i am paying for replacement bulbs, most recently a headlamp problem i will have to have replaced at a cost close to $600. today i received a recall from mercedes notice for the brake lamp problem. i question that the same may be true of headlights. my condition of brake and headlights being replaced as well as a brake lamp replaced in the past, was so chronic, i ordered and paid out of pocket for electrical testing on my car where nothing wrong was discovered. my point here is that i feel in addition to the brake light problem addressed by mercedes in my recall # 2006-080005, i believe it would be remiss for safety purposes to not announce that i believe the same condition applies to my slk headlights. also, for such problems on the brake lights that existed in the past, what recourse do i have in monies i laid out of pocket, pertaining to the chronic brake light problem in my slk 320. thank you. *nm | |||