Mercedes-Benz has to recall a million cars worldwide due to possible corrosion on the brake booster. It concerns cars of the ML, GL and R series, which were built between 2004 and 2015.
In the worst case, the brakes on these model series can completely fail due to corrosion, warns the American consumer watchdog NHTSA. Under certain conditions, corrosion can cause the brake booster to leak, reducing brake boosting, Mercedes-Benz said. It is not known how many cars are involved in the Netherlands.
More than 993,407 cars in total
As a result, according to the German brand, the actuating forces on the brake pedal needed to decelerate the vehicle can increase, thereby extending the braking distance. This may be accompanied by perceptible hissing or flowing noises when braking. In total, this concerns more than 993,407 cars. In Germany, the owners of about 70,000 cars are at risk.
According to the documents related to the recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the solution is not straightforward. First, dealers will inspect the brake boosters on the recalled vehicles for corrosion. If there is no rust formation, the vehicles can continue to drive normally.
No unambiguous solution to problem
If corrosion is detected, an additional test will determine how soon the brake booster needs to be replaced. Cars with only mild corrosion ‘can continue to drive for a maximum of two years’, the document says. But eventually the brake boosters will be replaced anyway. Mercedes advises owners of the affected models not to drive their car again until an inspection has taken place.
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