The defect
MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 16,130 MY 2009 M-CLASS W164 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL POWER LIFT GATE. AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY SEAL AROUND THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR COMPARTMENT CONTAINING THE SPARE TIRE. WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE POWER LIFT GATE CAN RESULT IN DISABLING OF THE POWER LIFT GATE MOTOR.
The risk
WATER WILL CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL OF THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY WITH A THICKER ONE AND REPOSITION THE AFFECTED POWER LIFT GATE CONTROL UNIT INSIDE THE CHASSIS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class | 2009 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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 M-Class | 2009 | 1 | 1 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2009
16 of the 491 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2009 concerned the exterior lighting; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 09V476000 15 Dec 2009 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 09V417000 23 Oct 2009 | SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. |
| 09V409000 19 Oct 2009 | STARTRANS BUS CORPORATION |
| 09V340000 28 Aug 2009 | VT SPECIALIZED VEHICLES CORPORATION |
| 09V310000 29 Jul 2009 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 09V314000 28 Jul 2009 | LEISURE TRAVEL VANS, LTD |
| 09V280000 21 Jul 2009 | HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO |
| 09V232000 24 Jun 2009 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2009