The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·12V533000·Announced 2012-11-06

Mercedes-Benz Recalls 2012 CLS550 Vehicles for Hood Latch Bolt Issue

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 2012 CLS550 and CLS550 4Matic vehicles because insufficiently tightened hood latch bolts could allow the hood to open while driving, increasing crash risk.

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 structural vehicle defect (hood latch bolts) that could lead to the hood opening while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for structural defects.

Plain-English summary

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. is recalling certain model year 2012 CLS550 and CLS550 4Matic vehicles manufactured between December 1, 2011, and December 13, 2011. The recall addresses a defect where the bolts holding the hood's secondary latch striker may have been insufficiently tightened.

The reduced torque on these striker bolts might lead to loosening. If two of the four bolts securing the striker became loose, the secondary hood latch function would become ineffective. If this problem combines with a failure of the primary hood lock or if the hood is not properly closed, the hood could open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will check and retighten the bolts as necessary. Mercedes-Benz notified owners by phone for this campaign starting on November 21, 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 CLS550
Brand
MERCEDES-BENZ
Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Category
Vehicle — Hood Latch
Hazard
Affected units
23

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)

  • CLS550

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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