Mercedes-Benz has announced a broad recall affecting a large portion of its global lineup due to potential braking issues. The news, reported by the DPA agency and based on information from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority, concerns several families of vehicles produced over an eleven-year span.
The recall encompasses the ML, GL, and R-Class models manufactured between 2004 and 2015. In Germany alone, the number of affected vehicles is approaching seventy thousand. The scope highlights how a single component issue can reverberate across multiple markets and years of production, influencing thousands of owners who rely on familiar Mercedes-Benz performance and safety.
The underlying problem centers on corrosion within the brake booster. Over time, this corrosion can compromise the connection between the brake pedal and the braking system, potentially leading to a failure in the braking path. The Federal Office explicitly warned that a brake failure could occur in certain conditions, underscoring the risk to driver and passenger safety.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has recently taken notable steps in another major market. At the start of March, the company exited the Russian market, halting production and import activities. This move was confirmed through reports that suggested owners in Russia might need to engage with brand representatives located outside the country to arrange service or warranty assistance as needed. The situation illustrates how geopolitical events can intersect with automotive supply chains and aftersales support.
For dealers, the recall creates additional constraints. Service centers within affected regions may be unable to work on the remaining parts of vehicles that are involved in the recall, and some owners may be advised to pursue service options through international channels rather than local facilities. The broader message from the market is that this is not an isolated incident—the recall serves as a reminder that even premium brands must contend with multiple braking circuits and the various failure modes that a brake system can encounter. While fluid leaks or diminished braking efficiency can be alarming, they are not automatically catastrophic; nevertheless, drivers should treat any signs of reduced braking performance seriously and seek professional assessment promptly.
The models recalled represent a meaningful portion of Mercedes-Benz sales in key markets, accounting for roughly one-fifth of overall brand deliveries in Russia during the period under review. This context underscores how recall campaigns can impact brand perception and market performance, especially when they intersect with regional market dynamics and the availability of authorized service networks.
DPA photograph and related imagery accompany the report, illustrating the scale of the recall and the vehicles affected. The coverage emphasizes the ongoing importance of proactive maintenance and recognized manufacturer advisories in safeguarding driving safety across a wide range of models.