Mercedes recalls M-class

MERCEDES-BENZ has recalled almost 7500 examples of its original M-class in Australia due to a faulty brake light switch that may prevent the cruise control system disengaging when the brakes are tapped.

Some 7489 M-class models manufactured between August 1999 and June 2004 have been called back to have their brake light switches replaced free of charge, in order to prevent a potentially serious collision in the event the cruise control system fails to disengage.

Mercedes-Benz stresses that the cruise control system in affected models can still be engaged via the cruise control lever or by fully applying the brakes.

“To our knowledge there have been no reports of accidents or faulty cruisecontrol systems(in Australia),” said Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific corporate communications manager Jerry Stamoulis.

“Customers have been notified and sufficient parts are available to carry out the recall.”

The original M-class was sold in Australia between September 1998 and August 2005, during which time about 13,500 versions were sold here.

The third-generation M-class, meantime, entered production in the US in July this year and will arrive here in the second quarter of 2012, followed by the second-generation GL-class seven-seater.