The defect
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 3,283 MY 2008 S-CLASS AND CL-CLASS PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION MAY OCCUR ON THE SIGNAL ACQUISITION AND ACTUATION MODULE-FRONT (SAM-F) TRANSISTORS. THE SAM-F IS A DOUBLE TRANSISTOR THAT HELPS CONTROL VEHICLE FUNCTIONS AND THE LIGHTING OF THE CENTER CONSOLE. INCORRECT STORAGE OF THE TRANSISTORS LED THE TRANSISTORS TO BE EXPOSED TO EXCESS HUMIDITY.
The risk
THE PRESENCE OF THIS MOISTURE IN COMBINATION WITH THE THERMAL STRESS DURING THE "REFLOW SOLDERING" MAY DAMAGE THE TRANSISTORS AND PREVENT THEM FROM PROPERLY FUNCTIONING WHICH WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL POTENTIALLY AFFECTED SAM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 2, 2008. OWNER MAY CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CL | 2008 |
| Mercedes-Benz S | 2008 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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 | 2008 | 0 | 2 |
| Mercedes-Benz S | 2008 | 0 | 2 |
Other visibility recalls in 2008
14 of the 683 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2008 concerned the visibility; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 08V634000 2 Dec 2008 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 08V606000 18 Nov 2008 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 08V538000 14 Oct 2008 | BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO. |
| 08V455000 9 Sept 2008 | CHRYSLER LLC |
| 08V456000 9 Sept 2008 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 08V410000 14 Aug 2008 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 08V386000 6 Aug 2008 | MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC |
| 08V237000 28 May 2008 | VAN HOOL N.V. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2008