Mercedes sales in 2023 were on par with 2022 but 2023 was a record year for recalls. According to EU Safety Gate, the European Commission’s website for non-food recalls, Mercedes had 38 recalls in 2023 in Europe, which is a negative record among automakers.
In 2023, Mercedes had a negative record of 38 recalls according to the EU Safety Gate portal for non-food products. By comparison, rival BMW had just 21 recalls. But to make the comparison fair, it should be said that at Mercedes, of the 38 recalls, as you can see in the table below, seven were for the Sprinter and Vito/V-Class vans, while BMW has no commercial vehicles in its range.
But even so, Mercedes passenger cars have 31 recalls compared to 21 for BMW.
Still, we have to look on the bright side of this result when comparing with past years. In 2020, Mercedes recorded 57 recalls for 27 models, in 2021, 67 recalls for 21 models, and in 2022, 39 recalls for 24 models. In 2023, there were “only” 38 recalls for 20 models.
Although the number of recalls is decreasing, the result for 2023 is not statistically significant, as Mercedes recorded the highest number of recalls in 2023 of all car manufacturers. Even brands known for poor reliability, such as Peugeot and Citroen, recorded 27 and 20 recalls, respectively.
Thus, in 2023, out of 283 recalls for 246 models, Mercedes recorded a share of 13.4%, which is too high. By comparison, VW, a volume manufacturer, had only 11 recalls in 2023. Under these circumstances, it is only a consolation that rival BMW is in third place in the recall ranking with 21 recalls, after Mercedes (38) and Peugeot (27).
This avalanche of recalls is affecting the prestige of the world’s oldest carmaker, which has the slogan “The Best or Nothing”.
Mercedes has had such reliability problems before in the 1990s and 2000s with rust in the C-Class or the A-Class rollover. But after the E-Class W124, which was for many people the last Mercedes model with outstanding reliability, the quality of many models suffered.
Date | Model | Production date | Risk description |
---|---|---|---|
22.12.2023 | AMG S 63 e 4Matic (BR223) | 03.07.2023 - 17.08.2023 | The support surface of the screw connection for the spring link on the integral subframe may be inadequate, which could impair the operational stability of the integral subframe and the connection of the spring link. Consequently, the steerability of the vehicle could be impaired, increasing the risk of an accident. |
1.12 2023 | GLC, EQE, C-Class | 12.09.2023 - 25.09.2023 | The windows may not be properly attached and can fall out, creating a risk of an accident. The front airbag may not work as intended if the windscreen comes loose, increasing the risk of injury. |
3.11.2023 | SL (type R 232) fitted with an M177 engine | 04.06.2021 – 29.08.2023 | Due to improper installation, the 12V starter/generator wiring harness could come into contact with the drive shaft, causing abrasion over time. As a result, a short circuit may occur leading to an unexpected sudden loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of an accident. Moreover, strong electrical currents that may flow through the connection could cause an increase in temperature in the affected area, increasing the risk of fire |
13.10.2023 | Sprinter | 09.08.2021-6.10.2022 | The partition wall may not be properly fastened, and can collapse when the vehicle is loaded. This could adversely affect secure load stowage, increasing the risk of an accident. |
6.10.2023 | S-Class | 01.08.2020 - 12.04.2023 | The 12 volt ground wire screw in the trunk may be defective, which can lead to that certain electronic stability program (ESP) functions can be disabled or strong electrical currents may lead to a local increase in temperature, increasing the risk of an accident or fire. |
6.10.2023 | GLC | 14.06.2021 – 5.07.2023 | The front towing eye bolt/screw may detach, creating a risk of an accident. |
4.10.2023 | Sprinter | 2006-2015 | A chemical change in the active substance in the front airbag gas generator can cause an increase in the internal pressure. In the event of an accident, the gas generator may burst and injure the occupants of the vehicle with metal fragments. Furthermore, the airbag will not unfold and protect properly in this situation. |
29.09.2023 | Sprinter | 17.10.2022 - 19.10.2022 | The wheel rims may be faulty which could lead to a loss of vehicle control, creating a risk of an accident. |
22.09.2023 | EQS | 15.01.2021 - 27.04.2023 | The rear seatbelt bolts may not be tightened to a sufficient torque and can become detached by vibration during driving or in a crash. This could impair the restraining effect of the rear seatbelts, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants. |
15.09.2023 | C-Class | 23.11.2021 - 30.11.2021 | Faulty welding between the fuel tank and the filler pipe can cause a fuel leak, creating a risk of fire. |
15.09.2023 | S-Class | 15.04.2020 - 14.10.2022 | The fuse box of the engine compartment may be defective. High electrical currents could increase the temperature, creating a risk of fire. This is turn can lead to an electricity interruption and the vehicle may lose propulsion power, increasing the risk of an accident. |
14.09.2023 | AMG GT 4-Door (Coupé)-Class, CLS, E-Class, E-Class Coupé/Cabriolet | 8.02.2022 - 20.03.2023 | The exit warning function, which warns car occupants not to open doors when traffic is approaching, may malfunction. This creates a risk of an accident. |
04.08.2023 | C-Class | 30.06.2021 - 6.06.2023 | The tightening torque on the screw connections on certain 12V and 48V ground points may be insufficient. This may lead to improper wiring fixation, which may cause rise of temperature in this area, increasing the risk of fire. |
21.07.2023 | C-Class | 22.03.2023 - 28.03.2023 | Polluted brake fluid could lead to increased wear of the braking system and a reduced braking performance. This could also impair the functioning of the electronic stability program (ESP), creating a risk of an accident. |
21.07.2023 | GLC (BR254) | 18.03.2022 - 19.04.2023 | The trailer coupling device may not be able to withstand the load. The coupling armature could detach from the vehicle, creating a risk of an accidents/injuries. |
07.07.2023 | G-Class | 26.2.2007 - 6.2.2023 | The oil supply to the drive shaft bearing in the rear axle differential may be inadequate, which could lead to that the car suddenly loses speed, creating a risk of an accident. Moreover, the rear wheels may lock, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and/or transmission oil may leak or vehicle parts may fall onto the road, endangering other road users. |
30.06.2023 | A-Class, CLA | 8.2.2022 - 9.8.2022 | The fitted tyres may not meet the load requirements and could be damaged while the vehicle is being driven. This could cause an accident and injuries. |
9.06.2023 | GLC | 13.03.2023 - 03.04.2023 | The wheel and/or brake vent screws may not be tightened with sufficient torque and can come off completely when the vehicle is in motion. This could lead to brake fluid leaks and impaired braking performance, causing a loss of driving stability and creating a risk of an accident. |
26.05.2023 | C-Class (BR206, 4-cylinder diesel) | 08/10/2020 - 12/09/2022 | Fuel may leak and the fuel line pressure may drop, leading to misfires or even engine stalling while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. Moreover, fuel leaks could pose a risk to following traffic. |
26.05.2023 | C-Class (BR206) | 24.3.2022 - 11.8.2022 | The rear spoiler may be properly bonded to the tailgate and could detach, creating a risk of injuries. |
26.05.2023 | CLA (BR118) | 22.10.2022 - 2.12.2022 | The tyres may not meet specifications, which can cause a sudden loss of air pressure. This can affect the stability of the vehicle while driving, creating a risk of an accident. |
05.05.2023 | Sprinter with OM651 engine | 22.03.2018 – 30.08.2019 | Fluid could enter into the amplifier, causing an internal short circuit and creating a risk of fire. |
21.04.2023 | S-Class | 7.3.2022 - 24.3.2022 | The instrument panel may detach, thereby affecting the deployment performance of the passenger airbag in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injury. |
21.04.2023 | Sprinter | 22.03.2017- 2.11.2020 | The fuse for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may be faulty, which can cause excessive contact heat generation, increasing the risk of fire or injury. |
21.04.2023 | EQB | 28.06.2022 -0 2.08.022 | The B-pillar may be faulty, which can result in that the window airbag is damaged when deployed and that fragmented parts can be projected inside the car, increasing the risk of injury in case of an accident. |
14.04.2023 | GLE, GLS | 29.08.2018 - 02.02.2021 | The air conditioner may be faulty, which can lead to short circuits and/or fire. The automatic emergency call (eCall) may fail and the vehicle may not unlock and/or start. The emergency engine operation mode can be activated while driving. These errors create risks of injury. |
14.04.2023 | GLC | 20.1.2022 - 6.10.2022 | The B pillar wiring harness may be damaged, which can lead to a short-circuit that causes a fire. |
14.04.2023 | C-Class | 14.10.2020 - 19.01.2021 | The airbag control unit may be faulty, resulting in that the PRE-SAFE function and/or the active bonnet are not activated as intended, increasing the risk of injury in case of an accident. |
24.03.2023 | Sprinter | 06/2018 - 02/2020 | Cracks in the area of the connection part of the coupling support could lead to the detachment of the coupling device, creating a risk of an accident. |
24.03.2023 | Vito, Viano | 03.10.2022 | The steering wheel airbag actuator can deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident, this may cause fragments of the front airbag to be released from the generator housing, increasing the risk of injury. |
03.03.2023 | C-Class | 15.10. 2020 - 23.04.2021 | Improper foam used in the front bumper may cause the active hood release to fail to deploy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian, increasing the risk of injury. |
24.02.2023 | C-Class, CLK, E-Class, CLS | 24.01.2000 - 23.12.2010 | Due to improper adhesive bonding of the glass panel to the sliding roof frame, the panel may detach from the moving vehicle, creating a risk of an accident, injuries. |
24.02.2023 | Vito, Vito Tourer, V-Class | 2.07.2020 - 27.04.2022 | The drainage pipe for the fuel filter can rub against the underbody panel while driving. This can lead to diesel leakage, creating a risk of accidents, injuries. |
24.02.2023 | CLC | 20.10.2000 - 23.12.2010 | Due to improper bonding, the glass panel to the sunroof frame may detach, creating a risk of an accident. |
17.02.2023 | EQE | 24.03.2022 - 2.08.2022 | The airbag in the upper B-pillar may not open as intended, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. Moreover, the B-pillar cladding could become detached and end up inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. |
03.02.2023 | M-, GLE-, GL-, GLS-, GLC-, GLK-, C-, E-, CLS-, S-Class | 14.04.2010 -12.04.2017 | The aluminium bolts of the steering box may break. This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident. |
27.01.2023 | GLE, GLS | 19.07.2021 - 03.08.2022 | Insufficient fastening of the bolts can cause the steering coupling to come loose from the steering spindle. This affects the steering capacity of the vehicle, creating a the risk of an accident. |
20.01.2023 | EQE | 30.11.2021 - 7.3.2022 | Due to an improper software version of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), some manoeuvrers such as braking on ice or snow could cause the vehicle to become unstable, increasing the risk of an accident. |
13.01.2023 | G-Class (AMG G 63 4x4²) | 11.9.2020 - 13.12.2022 | Cracks may appear in the rear axle transmission housing which can lead to oil leaks on the road, increasing the risk of an accident for other traffic. The cracks can also cause the casing to break, which can result in power transmission loss to the rear axle and impaired steering. |