Mercedes will recall over 320,000 vehicles in the U.S. after reports of mass engine stalling continued to grow.
The problem seems to arise when water accumulates in the tire wheel well and damages the fuel control pump, according to documents revealed Thursday by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and first reported by the Associated Press.
Once the fuel control pump is damaged, drivers have repeatedly experienced engine stalling, which can be dangerous. The company says it’s not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the defect, but said in documents that it’s aware of 773 U.S. warranty claims, field reports, and service reports due to the problem.
It’s estimated that 324,000 vehicles from the years 2012 to 2020 will be recalled and will affect the following models: ML550, ML350, AMG ML63, ML250, ML400, GLE450, GLE300, GLE350, GLE550, GLE400, AMG GLE43, and AMG GLE63.
To correct the issue, dealers will check for water intrusion, install a drain plug and replace the fuel pump if needed, according to the AP. Owners will be notified via a letter starting Feb. 21.
In December, Mercedes issued a recall for nearly 120,000 vehicles after a problem was discovered with the bonding between the glass sunroof panel and the sliding roof frame.
The NHTSA has fined Mercedes in the past, claiming the automaker failed to notify owners in a timely fashion in some recalls, did not submit all reports, and did not launch at least two recalls in a timely fashion.
The penalty included an up-front payment of $13 million, with an additional $7 million deferred penalty payable if specified conditions are not satisfied.
