Brake woes sparks luxury recall

Mercedes-Benz New Zealand is recalling nearly 2,000 vehicles after concerns have emerged about a potential problem with fitted brake boosters, which risks increasing the chance of a crash or injury.
The luxury marque says the recall affects certain ML-Class, GL-Class – built on the 164 platform – and R-Class vehicles – featuring the 251 platform –
from model years between 2005 and 2013.The company says that based on isolated reports and subsequent analysis, it has found the function of the brake booster in some of the 1,982 vehicles covered by the alert may be affected by advanced corrosion in the joint area of the housing.
It explains that over time and in conjunction with significant water exposure, the corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster.
“In this case, the brake force support might be reduced, leading to an increase in the brake pedal force required from the driver to decelerate the vehicle and/or to a potentially increased stopping distance,” says Mercedes-Benz NZ.
“This may be accompanied by a hissing or airflow noise when applying the brake.
“Additionally, 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 brake pedal and brake system would fail.
“In such cases, it would not be possible to decelerate the vehicle via the service brake. Thus, the risk of a crash or injury would be increased.”
Mercedes-Benz NZ notes the function of the foot parking brake is not affected by the brake booster issue.
It is also urging owners of models included in the recall not to drive those vehicles until they have been inspected.
Owners of potentially affected vehicles have been sent letters from the company. Once the marque has inspected the cars, it says it will replace parts where necessary.
For more information, owners can contact Mercedes-Benz service centres or visit mercedes-benz.co.nz.