Owners of 1,449 Mercedes-Benz cars in Romania could be affected by a recall of several models reporting a starter part that can cause vehicles to catch fire, National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) informs. The recall covers certain A-/B-/C-/E-Class cars and GLC SUVs, from 2015 through to 2017.
This is part of the one million total recalled worldwide due to the risk of fire, after over 80 fires were reported in Europe and U.S.
If the car is affected, replacement parts are available, the German company said, adding no injuries or deaths were reported.
The problem with the vehicles is electrical in nature and is rooted in the starting current limiter, manufactured by Gruner AG. Like most limiters, this one is designed to manage electrical currents, protecting other components from being damaged and preventing fuse overloads.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defect bulletin explains that the limiter in these Mercedes-Benz vehicles isn’t designed to handle the heavy current draw that may occur when an engine or transmission is damaged, preventing the car from starting:
“In the event the starter is blocked due to engine/transmission damage (e.g. hydro locked engine), a very high electric current would flow through the starting current limiter during the subsequent start attempt. Should the driver attempt to start the engine repeatedly despite the engine not cranking, the very high electric current draw might lead to overheating of the starting current limiter.”
That overheating can cause nearby components to melt, and in worst-case scenarios, could result in a fire.
In this service recall campaign, 1,295 vehicles are targeted in Romania.
The company also recalls 147 Smart cars because the hand brake lever stroke could be prolonged gradually following its action, after loosening the adjustment nut of the cable tie.