Safety regulators in the United States have opened a probe of an estimated 218 000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans after complaints that the tail lights and rear indicators “burn out”. No, we’re not talking about catastrophic brake failure or split fuel tanks here, just tail lights that stop working.
Nevertheless, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun a preliminary evaluation of the luxury cars from model years 2008 and 2009 after receiving 21 complaints from owners in the United States - and a spokesman for Mercedes-Benz confirmed it had recently begun working with the NHTSA on this probe, while pointing out that no injuries or deaths had been reported due to the malfunction.
Well, that’s a relief.
According to NHTSA documents, the reports typically say the failure is in the tail-light connector, with many reporting burnt or melted electrical components. In some cases, owners have reported smelling smoke and seeing burn marks inside the boot of their cars, with one reporting small flames coming from the tail-light connector.
A preliminary evaluation is the first step in a process that could lead to a recall should regulators determine that a safety issue needs to be addressed by the manufacturer. - Reuters
Since most C-Class sedans on the North American market are in fact made in East London, we’ve asked Mercedes-Benz SA whether any South African-market vehicles are likely to suffer the same fate. As soon as we hear, so will you.