2005 Mercedes Benz G500

Defect. MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2010 G-CLASS VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A GRILL COVER FOR FRONT TURN SIGNAL PROTECTION THAT, WHILE PERMISSIBLE, MAY IMPACT OVER TIME THE SIGNAL'S ABILITY TO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108.

Risk. THE SIGNAL LIGHT'S VISIBILITY TO OTHER MOTORISTS MAY BE REDUCED OVER TIME, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED TURN LIGHT UNITS OPTIMIZED FOR USAGE WITH GRILLS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2010 OR EARLY JANUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ G500. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE SBC PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,755. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE.

THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ENGINE TURNS OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST SHUTS OFF - WHEN THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TO REGAIN POWER, VEHICLE MUST BE SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND KEY NEEDS TO BE CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON. DEALER, MERCEDES BENZ OF WESTMINSTER IN COLORADO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A GREAT DEGREE OF CERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THEY THINK IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS CONTACTED MBUSA FOR THEM TO AUTHORIZE EXPLORATORY REPAIRS AT NO OR PARTIAL COST TO THE CUSTOMER, WHICH MBUSA HAS REFUSED. THIS IS THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH WHICH WAS USED ON 2005-08 MERCEDES C-CLASS AND HAS CAUSED A MYRIAD OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS DOCUMENTED BY VEHICLE OWNERS ON VARIOUS FORUMS SUCH AS MBWORLD.ORG AND BENZWORLD.ORG - MERCEDES HAS ISSUED A TSB FOR THOSE VEHICLES, BUT NOT FOR LOW PRODUCTION # VEHICLES SUCH AS A G500. *TR