Vehicle Speed Control: Cruise Control (11V208000)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL

NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Model(s): 2000 MERCEDES BENZ M CLASS

2001 MERCEDES BENZ M CLASS

2002 MERCEDES BENZ M CLASS

2003 MERCEDES BENZ M CLASS

2004 MERCEDES BENZ M CLASS

Campaign No: 11V208000

Number of Affected Vehicles: 136751

Beginning Date of Manufacture: 1999 AUG

Ending Date of Manufacture: 2004 JUN

SYSTEM

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL

DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH THE OTHER MEANS OF DEACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIVE. SPECIFICALLY, WHERE THE DRIVER PUMPS THE BRAKES RATHER THAN APPLYING CONSISTENT PEDAL FORCE, THE LEVEL OF FORCE REQUIRED MAY BE UNUSUALLY HIGH.

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT

DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Eastern Time. For more information call (800) 424-9393 or (202) 366-0123. For the hearing impaired, call (800) 424-9153.