The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HOPPECKE BATTERIES. THE BATTERY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE COULD BE LESS THAN NEEDED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ELECTROLYTE LEVELS.
The risk
THE LOW ELECTROLYTE LEVELS RESULT IN ACCELERATED BATTERY GRID GROWTH, INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR INTER-CELL RUPTURE AND SPARKING, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERIES, INCLUDING FLUID LEVELS. SOME BATTERIES MAY BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY, ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. IN ADDITION TO THE BATTERY INSPECTION, THE ADDITION OF LABELS IN THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WILL BE INCLUDED TO CONSPICUOUSLY REMIND OWNERS AS WELL AS DEALER AND SERVICE PERSONNEL OF THE NEED TO PERFORM BATTERY MAINTENANCE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1998, 1999 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1998 | 6 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1999 | 7 | 1 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2001
35 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the electrical system; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 01V387000 17 Dec 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V370000 13 Dec 2001 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING,INC. |
| 01V369000 20 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 01V350000 15 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 01V294000 17 Sept 2001 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V288000 10 Sept 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V292000 10 Sept 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V253000 2 Aug 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001