Mercedes-Benz Recalls 2013 SL-Class Vehicles Due to Air Conditioner Fire Risk
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 432 model year 2013 SL-Class vehicles because the air conditioner refrigerant may ignite in a severe crash, potentially causing a fire.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of fire in the engine compartment resulting from a severe crash, which meets the rubric criteria for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural vehicle defect risks associated with fire hazards.
Plain-English summary
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. is recalling certain model year 2013 SL-Class vehicles manufactured between December 19, 2011, and May 31, 2012. These vehicles were originally equipped with R1234yf refrigerant in the air conditioning system. The recall affects 432 vehicles in the United States.
Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, conducted product testing on a vehicle equipped with the same refrigerant to replicate worst-case conditions expected in a severe frontal crash. The testing determined that if the air conditioner refrigerant line ruptures, the escaping R1234yf refrigerant may ignite under specific conditions. The resulting fire could spread to additional combustible materials in the engine compartment.
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the R1234yf refrigerant with R134a along with new refrigerant lines designed specifically for R134a. The remedy will be provided free of charge. The safety recall began on November 8, 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- MERCEDES BENZ SL-CLASS
- Brand
- MERCEDES BENZ
- Manufacturer
- MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
- Category
- Vehicle — Passenger Car
- Affected units
- 432
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- SL-CLASS
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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