The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.
The risk
CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE HOLDER AND DISABLING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE ABILITY TO DEFROST OR DEFOG THE WINDSHILED IN COLD OR HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 2000, 2001 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 2000, 2001 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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 CL-Class | 2000 | 1 | 4 |
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 2001 | 4 | 4 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 2000 | 81 | 5 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 2001 | 36 | 5 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2004
36 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the electrical system; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 04V580000 10 Dec 2004 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 04V568000 9 Dec 2004 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 04V578000 8 Dec 2004 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 04V577000 7 Dec 2004 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 04V549000 23 Nov 2004 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 04V513000 28 Oct 2004 | FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL |
| 04V512000 20 Oct 2004 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 04V491000 15 Oct 2004 | MEDTEC AMBULANCE CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004