Mercedes-Benz extends earlier X-Class product safety recall campaign

Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific Pty Limited is recalling more than 6000 X-Class vehicles from model years 2018 to 2020.

It says this new recall replaces and extends an earlier campaign (RC2672).

The issue being the X-Class operator’s manual contains an incorrect maximum roof loading says Mercedes-Benz.

It says roof loading may be from roof-top tents or other items. The loading in the operator’s manual is for the vehicle when stationary. However, a moving vehicle experiences additional pressure on the roof from a load and therefore the maximum safe loading should be less says Mercedes-Benz.

If the roof loading is in excess of the safe level, and especially if there is a fibreglass canopy installed, the support for the roof load may fail while the vehicle is moving says Mercedes-Benz. The roof load may shift unexpectedly and the canopy could break, causing the load to fall.

In addition, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) may not be effective in an accident or if the vehicle skids or behaves unexpectedly, increasing the risk of serious injury or death of vehicle occupants or other road users.

The company is asking consumers to contact their most convenient Mercedes-Benz retailer for a software update to the digital operator’s manual and receive a replacement owner’s manual.

It says consumers will need to participate in this recall regardless of whether they have a fibreglass canopy installed. Vehicles without canopies need to be recalled so that they can safely have a canopy and/or roof tent installed in the future.

Mercedes-Benz says consumers who have already had a repair for the earlier recall campaign 2672 will need to have a further software update carried out and receive another supplement to their operator’s manual.