Mercedes-Benz announced a global recall of nearly one million cars built between 2004 and 2015 due to a potential problem with the braking system.
Mercedez Benz confirmed the recall in a statement stating the move was based on “analysis of isolated reports for certain vehicles”.
It said, “In rare cases of very severe corrosion, it might be possible for a particularly strong or hard braking manoeuvre to cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, whereby the connection between the brake pedal and brake system would fail.
“In such a very rare case, it would not be possible to decelerate the vehicle via the service brake. Thus, the risk of a crash or injury would be increased.”
The company said it would “start with the recall immediately” and contact the owners of the “potentially affected vehicles”.
“The recall process will involve inspecting potentially affected vehicles and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacing the parts where necessary.
“Until the inspection takes place, we ask our customers not to drive their vehicles.”
Germany’s federal transport authority (KBA) said that the recall affected cars like the SUV series ML and GL, and the R-Class luxury minivan all built between 2004 and 2015.
993,407 vehicles were being recalled worldwide, including about 70,000 in Germany, the KBA added.
“Corrosion on the brake booster can in the worst case lead to the connection between the brake pedal and the braking system being interrupted.
“As a consequence, the service brake can stop functioning,” the KBA said.