Urgent recall for W164, X164, R251 - brake booster

[jay_bob]

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/mercedes-benz-says-to-stop-driving-these-recalled-suvs-a6346785543/

“Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 292,000 GL-, ML-, and R-Class SUVs from the 2006 through 2012 model years because of a potential problem with the brakes. Owners of vehicles included in the recall should not drive them until the free recall repair has been performed.

According to the automaker, prolonged exposure to water could result in some braking components becoming damaged, which could result in either reduced braking performance or total brake failure. The driver may need to press harder on the brake pedal, or the brakes might not work at all.”

The issue is with internal corrosion in the brake booster apparently.

My son on the phone with them now…

[ILUVMILS]

Replacement parts won't be available for months.....

[moralesv]

We could result in either reduced braking performance or total brake failur

[jay_bob]

The recall has been transitioned to 'open' status as of May 27 2022

My son is in the queue at the dealer for inspection

Screen capture from mbusa.com/recall for his car attached

The 'view customer letter' is a dead link BTW

[DMarble]

I got the recall letter in early June and the best the dealer could do was end of July for an appt. Getting the car towed to the dealer is proving to be a challenge since they are 1 1/2 hours away from me. The fact that it is a "Do Not Drive" recall does not seem to make any difference. They directed me to Mercedes Roadside assistance for getting it towed into the dealer but they won't make an appointment until the day of the appointment. Since the Appt is at 8:00 AM I guess I will have to get up at 4 AM to make that call. They already informed me that parts are not available now and may not be for 2-3 months.

[DMarble]

I finally got Mercedes Roadside Assistance to pick the car up and take it to the Dealer for the inspection. At first they would only pay for the first 20 miles and the remaining 30 would be on me @ $4 per mile. I read her the portion of the recall letter that stated it would be picked up and delivered back to me at no charge. I explained that the dealer did not want to get involved in the transport
Then a tow to the dealer was set up (no charge). The booster passed the visual inspection so I was told I could come and get the car by the dealer. Roadside said the dealer would assist in getting it returned but the dealer said I had to work with the recall group and roadside assistance. Roadside assistance said they do not tow from the dealer at all and I would be responsible for the cost of the tow. Again I read them the part of the recall letter that stated they would transport at no charge. Then a tow was set up to get the car back home. About 4.5 hours later the car was back home. I have attached a photo of what is rusting and requires inspection. Mine had no rust at all. The Booster is two halves pressed together and staked about a dozen times to keep it from separating. It is these staked areas that rust when water gets under the rubber sleeve that they remove to inspect for rust. Apparently the sleeve is only for aesthetic reasons as they remove it and do not replace it. At least I don't have to park it for a few months until parts come in.

[jay_bob]

We got the MB letter the first week in July. We took it in to the local dealer Dick Dyer Mercedes, and they did the test, and found the booster was compromised.

NO ETA on replacement boosters, either from the dealer or the MB call center. MB offered only 2 months of rental reimbursement, but you had to pay up front and get reimbursed. We refused. Our son was living with friends and decided to move back in with us instead because of this.

I had to sign a waiver that if I drove the vehicle, it was at my own risk, until it was repaired. I drove it home and parked it and it's been sitting ever since. I have only taken it out on early Sunday mornings (when there is little traffic) around the neighborhood to get it some exercise, and I did take it to the gas station and top the fuel tank up all the way to avoid condensation problems.

Hopefully boosters are being made and on their way to dealers soon...

[jay_bob]

Got the letter last Friday that the boosters are now available.

MB Roadside picked up the car yesterday and it's at the dealer now.

[indybenz]

Any updates on this? I'm considering purchasing an R500 4Matic...but this sounds like yet another nightmare scenario added to the other ones that plague the R series.