Mercedes-Benz issues diesel recall

MERCEDES-BENZ has issued a recall of a broad range diesel-powered vehicles over a faulty timing chain seal which could cause oil to leak resulting in a hazard to other drivers or a fire in an extreme case.

Only those models with an OM 651 direct-injection four-cylinder diesel engine are to be recalled. The powerplant is the most widespread diesel unit in the German car-maker’s range and is found in models including A-, B-, C-, E-, CLS- and S-Class, as well as Sprinter and Vito vans.

Mercedes-Benz Australia told GoAuto that potentially up to 5500 vehicles were affected and that the number is split almost evenly between passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles.

According to the recall notice published on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website, the seal ring between the timing chain tensioner and the engine may allow oil to leak which poses a risk to other motorists or could result in a fire in a worst-case situation.

Mercedes-Benz said there had been no reports or incidents connected with the fault.

Affected owners will be notified by post and the repair will be carried out free of charge.

Last year saw a record number of vehicles recalled, most of them caught up in the Takata airbag fault. More than 17 million cars equipped with potentially fault front airbags were recalled following the discovery that the units could deploy with too much force and injure the occupants with metal fragments.