Mercedes-Benz USA has recalled 12,799 units of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 580, GLS 450 and GLS 580 vehicles equipped with an optional illuminated Mercedes-Benz star logo in the radiator grill. The brand has issued the recall pertaining an issue with the electrical ground connection with respect to the illuminated Star logo which is sold as an accessory. This lapse in the electrical ground connection may affect other electrical components that share the same ground connection which include the power steering control unit, wiper motor, and/or the left headlight.
The populated list may have 100% defect with respect to the electrical ground connection and was determined through production records. The brand has also announced that the vehicles outside of the recall have the installation of the ground system that meets the specifications. It is also important to note that no crash reports or injuries have been reported in connection to the recall. According to sources, 8,438 units of 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, 1,111 units of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, 93 units of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 580, 3141 units of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 and 16 units the 2020 Merceds-Benz GLS 580 have been recalled in the North American market.
Depending on the equipment, the electrical ground connection on the illuminated logo could impair the function of the power steering system, the left headlamp or the wiper control system. This could increase the risk of a crash if onw of the equipments’ fail during operation. However, the deactivation of any one of the above-mentioned components will be indicated by an acoustic warning accompanied by a visual warning on the instruments cluster.
In the initial investigation the brand found the issue in a small number of vehicles in the US and individual reports were describing instances of failure in power steering components, wipers and headlamps but no physical injuries or crashes were reported. Authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealers will relocated the ground connection of the illuminate star to the proper location. Dealers will be notified of the pending voluntary recall campaign on October 16, 2020. Owners will be notified of the voluntary recall campaign approximately one week after launch to the dealers on December 8, 2020.