136,000 Mercedes M-Class SUVs Recalled for Malfunctioning Cruise Control

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): MERCEDES BENZ / M CLASS 2000-2004

Manufacturer:
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Mfr's Report Date:
MAR 31, 2011 NHTSA

Component:
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Potential Number of Units Affected:
136,751

Summary:

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH THE OTHER MEANS OF DEACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIVE. SPECIFICALLY, WHERE THE DRIVER PUMPS THE BRAKES RATHER THAN APPLYING CONSISTENT PEDAL FORCE, THE LEVEL OF FORCE REQUIRED MAY BE UNUSUALLY HIGH.

Consequence:
DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.