Mercedes-Benz E-Class, CLE Recalled in India: Here's Why

Mercedes-Benz has announced a series of recalls in India, affecting multiple models, including the E-Class, its high-performance derivatives, and the CLE Cabriolet. The German luxury car manufacturer has cited potential safety concerns as the reason behind the recall, with issues primarily related to electrical components and passenger safety features.

The affected E-Class variants include the AMG E 63 S, E 53 4Matic+, and the standard E-Class sedan. A total of 2,613 units of these models have been recalled due to an issue with the electrical connector coupling for the transmission wiring harness. According to information disclosed on the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) website, the connector may not meet the required specifications, potentially allowing water ingress over time. This could lead to a short circuit, which in turn poses a risk of thermal overload while the vehicle is parked. Such a scenario increases the likelihood of a thermal incident, necessitating immediate corrective action from the manufacturer.

The specific breakdown of affected units includes:

- 20 units of the E 53 4Matic+ manufactured between January 21, 2021, and January 20, 2023.

- 50 units of the AMG E 63 S produced between September 14, 2022, and October 12, 2023.

- 2,543 units of the standard E-Class manufactured between April 29, 2022, and August 20, 2024.

Apart from the E-Class models, Mercedes-Benz has also recalled 59 units of the CLE Cabriolet in India. These vehicles were manufactured between April 13, 2024, and June 24, 2024. The recall is due to the potential omission of a critical warning label on the side wall of the instrument panel. The missing label is intended to inform users that the automatic front passenger airbag shutoff is unavailable in the affected vehicles.

The absence of this warning could lead to a misunderstanding among owners, who might assume that a rearward-facing child seat placed in the front passenger seat would be automatically detected and accommodated. However, since the airbag remains permanently active in these models, placing a child seat in this position increases the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash where the airbag deploys.

Mercedes-Benz has assured customers that it will rectify these issues at no cost to owners. Affected customers are expected to be contacted directly by the company’s authorised service centres to schedule the necessary inspections and repairs. Owners of the impacted models are advised to check with their local dealerships or refer to Mercedes-Benz India’s official website for further details regarding the recall process.