The defect
MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 54 MY 2009 S-CLASS, W221 VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INTERCHANGED DURING PRODUCTION. THE EXCHANGE OF A FRONT AND A REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD RESULT IN A PASSENGER SIDE DOOR THAT CANNOT BE OPENED BY MERELY PULLING ON THE INTERIOR HANDLE AND A REAR DOOR LOCK THAT CAN BE OPENED WITH A SIMPLE PULL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE EVEN IF LOCKED.
The risk
THIS SITUATION COULD AFFECT THE SAFE EXITING OF A VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM INADVERTENT OPENING OF THE REAR DOOR.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE PART NUMBER ON ALL DOOR LOCKS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DOOR LOCK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 27, 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 S-Class | 2009 |
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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 S-Class | 2009 | 2 | 1 |
Other latches/locks/linkages recalls in 2009
6 of the 491 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2009 concerned the latches/locks/linkages; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 09V317000 7 Aug 2009 | HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO |
| 09V233000 25 Jun 2009 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 09V171000 21 May 2009 | Hyundai Motor Company |
| 09V145000 30 Apr 2009 | WILSON TRAILER COMPANY |
| 09V137000 28 Apr 2009 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2009