Missing Brake Inspection Gauge – 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, CLA, GLA & GLB

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-732 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC Submission Date : NOV 01, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23V-732 Manufacturer Recall No. : NR Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC Address : 13470 International Parkway Jacksonville FL 32218 Company phone : 1-877-496-3691 Population : Number of potentially involved : 42,742 Estimated percentage with defect : 100 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : 4-DOOR Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : Mercedes-Benz A-Class 22,434. The recall population was determined through production records. Vehicles outside of the recall population are equipped with a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information that conforms to the standards set forth in FMVSS 135 S5.1.2. Production Dates : AUG 20, 2018 – MAY 15, 2020 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Vehicle 2 : 2020-2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : 4-DOOR Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : Mercedes-Benz CLA 8,952. The recall population was determined through production records. Vehicles outside of the recall population are equipped with a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information that conforms to the standards set forth in FMVSS 135 S5.1.2. Production Dates : AUG 20, 2018 – MAY 15, 2020 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-732 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Vehicle 3 : 2021-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : SUV Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : Mercedes-Benz GLA 478. The recall population was determined through production records. Vehicles outside of the recall population are equipped with a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information that conforms to the standards set forth in FMVSS 135 S5.1.2. Production Dates : AUG 20, 2018 – MAY 15, 2020 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Vehicle 4 : 2020-2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : SUV Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : Mercedes-Benz GLB 9,881. The recall population was determined through production records. Vehicles outside of the recall population are equipped with a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information that conforms to the standards set forth in FMVSS 135 S5.1.2. Production Dates : AUG 20, 2018 – MAY 15, 2020 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Vehicle 5 : 2020-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35 Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : 4-DOOR Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : Mercedes-Benz A-Class 159 The recall population was determined through production records. Vehicles outside of the recall population are equipped with a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information that conforms to the standards set forth in FMVSS 135 S5.1.2. Production Dates : AUG 20, 2018 – MAY 15, 2020 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-732 Page 3 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Vehicle 6 : 2020-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : 4-DOOR Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : Mercedes-Benz CLA 147 The recall population was determined through production records. Vehicles outside of the recall population are equipped with a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information that conforms to the standards set forth in FMVSS 135 S5.1.2. Production Dates : AUG 20, 2018 – MAY 15, 2020 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Vehicle 7 : 2020-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 35 Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : 4-DOOR Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : Mercedes-Benz CLA 691 The recall population was determined through production records. Vehicles outside of the recall population are equipped with a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information that conforms to the standards set forth in FMVSS 135 S5.1.2. Production Dates : AUG 20, 2018 – MAY 15, 2020 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Noncompliance : Description of the Noncompliance : Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacture of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that certain Model Year (“MY”) 2019-2021 A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB (177, 118, 247 platform) vehicles might not be equipped with the inspection gauge for checking the wear of the rear axle brake pads. Furthermore, the respective information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner’s manual. FMVSS 1 : 135 – Light vehicle brake systems FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : Due to the brake force distribution, the brake pads on the front axle will always wear out sooner than the rear axle brake pads. The potentially affected vehicles are equipped with an electronic wear sensor on the front axle. If the brake pads thickness decreases below a certain level on the front axle, the driver will be informed that the brake pads need to be replaced by the permanently lit warning lamp and warning message “Check brake pads. See Owner’s Manual” in the instrument cluster. This warning message will appear at the beginning of each driving cycle until new brake pads are installed. The above mentioned permanently lit warning lamp cannot be turned off by the driver and is only deactivated after the brake pads have Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-732 Page 4 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 been replaced. Even if the brake pads on the front axle fall below the threshold level, the brake pads on the rear axle continue to have sufficient thickness. Once the vehicle is taken to the workshop, the brake pads on the rear axle will also be inspected and replaced, if necessary. Due to the force distribution of the brake system, it can be ruled out that the brake pads on the front axle reach the wear limit before the brake pads of the rear axle reach their wear limit. In addition, internal vehicle tests have shown that even with completely worn brake pads on the rear axle, the potentially affected vehicles will still meet the legal performance requirements for stopping distance in accordance with the FMVSS 135, S7.5.3. The electronic driving safety systems (ABS, ESP, etc.) would continue to function as intended in this case. If an increased wear on the brake pads on the rear axle is not identified, this might increase the risk of a crash. Description of the Cause : Due to a documentation error in the production control system, the potentially affected vehicles might not be equipped with the inspection gauge for checking the wear of the rear axle brake pads and the respective information in the owner’s manual might be missing. Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : The driver will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism. Involved Components : Component Name 1 : Gauge Component Description : Gauge Component Part Number : A0005830642 Component Name 2 : Supplementary Booklet Component Description : Owner’s Manual Supplement Booklet Component Part Number : A1185846304 Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : MBAG Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-732 Page 5 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Address : NR NR Country : NR Chronology : In February 2020, MBAG after sales department was first made aware through internal analyses for quality assurance that the inspection gauge for checking the wear of the brake pads on the rear axle and the respective information in the owner’s manual for using this inspection gauge may not have been provided with certain vehicles. MBAG initiated a technical investigation, including the potential impact of not including the wear inspection gauge. During the analysis process, MBAG investigated potential technical impacts of the described issue in connection with the conditions of the braking system. MBAG found that, due to the brake force distribution, the brake pads on the front axle wear out sooner than the rear axle brake pads. The potentially affected vehicles are equipped with an electronic wear sensor on the front axle. If the brake pads thickness falls below a certain level, the driver will be informed that the brake pads need to be replaced by the permanently lit warning lamp and warning message “Check brake pads. See Owner’s Manual” in the instrument cluster. In this case, the brake performance would still not be impaired. Once the vehicle is taken to the workshop, the brake pads on the rear axle will also be checked and replaced, if necessary. In addition, internal vehicle test data was analyzed. This analysis showed that even with completely worn brake pads on the rear axle, the potentially affected vehicles would still meet the legal performance requirements for stopping distance in accordance with the FMVSS 135, S7.5.3. Furthermore, the force distribution of the brake system prohibits that the brake pads on the rear axle could reach the wear limit before the brake pads of the front axle reach their wear limit. Please see chronology supplement. Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will add the inspection gauge and enclose the supplemental owner’s manual information for using this inspection gauge on the affected vehicles. Pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 577.11(e), MBUSA does not plan to provide notice about pre-notice reimbursement to owners since none of the involved vehicles would have been previously subject to the condition described and all remain covered under the new vehicle warranty How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : An inspection gauge for checking the wear of the brake pads on the rear axle and supplemental owner’s manual information for using this inspection gauge. Gauge – A0005830642 Supplementary Booklet – A1185846304 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-732 Page 6 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : A change in the documentation of the production control system ensures that this issue can no longer occur from May 18, 2020 onwards. Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : Dealers will be notified of the pending voluntary recall campaign on November 8, 2023. Owners will be notified of the voluntary recall campaign before December 31, 2023. A copy of all communications will be provided when available. Planned Dealer Notification Date : NOV 08, 2023 – NR Planned Owner Notification Date : DEC 31, 2023 – NR * NR – Not Reported

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DATE: November 8, 2023
Recall Campaign Initial Notification

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC A Mercedes-Benz Group AG Company One Mercedes-Benz Drive Sandy Springs, GA 30328 770.705.0600 News Channel Update | Vehicle Compliance & Analysis IMPORTANT RECALL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION Please see the attached documents related to the campaign listed above. Please note that all customer inquiries should be directed to the Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES. Sincerely, Gregory Gunther Senior Manager, Vehicle Compliance & Analysis TO: Mercedes-Benz Dealer Principals, General Managers, Sales Managers, Service Managers, Parts Managers FROM: Gregory Gunther, Senior Manager, Vehicle Compliance and Analysis, Engineering Services RE: Recall Campaign Initial Notification Add Inspection Gauge and Supplemental Booklet for Checking of Brake Pads MY19-21 A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB (177, 118, 247 platform) DATE: November 8, 2023 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC A Mercedes-Benz Group AG Company One Mercedes-Benz Drive Sandy Springs, GA 30328 770.705.0600 News Channel Update | Vehicle Compliance & Analysis Recall Campaign Initial Notification November 8, 2023 Campaign No. : NHTSA ID Campaign Desc. : Add Inspection Gauge and Supplemental Booklet for Checking of Brake Pads TBA 23V732 23P2197642 This is to notify you of the new Recall Campaign to add a brake inspection gauge and respective owner’s manual information on 42,742 Model Year (“MY”) 2019-2021 A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB (177, 118, 247 platform) vehicles. The recall campaign will be visible on the www.NHTSA.gov website and may generate questions from customers. Affected VINs will be flagged in VMI as “PENDING” on November 8, 2023. Background Issue Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacture of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that certain Model Year (“MY”) 2019-2021 A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB (177, 118, 247 platform) vehicles might not be equipped with the inspection gauge for checking the wear of the rear axle brake pads. Furthermore, the respective information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner’s manual. What We’re Doing MBUSA will conduct a voluntary recall. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer add a brake inspection gauge and the respective owner’s manual information on the affected vehicles. Parts Remedy is not available at this time. Vehicles Affected Vehicle Model Year(s) 2019-2021 Vehicle Model A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB Vehicle Populations Total Recall Population 42,742 Total Vehicles in Dealer Inventory 0 Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to sell or lease any new vehicles in dealer inventory covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired. Once the remedy is available, the vehicles will be flagged as “OPEN” and Work Instructions will be available in NetStar VMI and Xentry Portal. Once the repair is complete, the vehicle may be sold or leased. Loaner and demonstrator vehicles may continue to be driven, but must not be retailed until repaired. As a matter of normal service process, please check for other repair measures which might be applicable to the vehicle(s). Additionally, given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for car rental companies to rent new vehicles covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired. Next Steps/Notes Customer Notification Timeline Customer letters will be mailed on or before November 8, 2023. AOMS/SOMS AOMs – This recall may generate questions from your dealers. Please forward this notice to your dealers ASAP. Rental Fleet Partners This recall may affect vehicles in your fleet. Please contact your respective MBUSA fleet representative for further information and next steps. For repairs, please contact your preferred MBUSA dealer. Customer Reimbursement Customer reimbursement is not being offered for this campaign. While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, MBUSA is determined to maintain a high level of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. Please refer all customer inquiries to the Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES.

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