German automaker Mercedes-Benz has recalled more than 147,000 station wagons and mid-sized cars due to a fire hazard.
Mercedes-Benz announced the recall of about 147,224 CLS-class and E-class vehicles, made between 2013 and 2015, in the United States.
A recall notice of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that affected cars have a rubber lining at the back of the engine bay, which may temporarily get stuck to the top when it is opened. The rubber seal may fall into the engine when the hood is closed and cause a fire.
The affected Mercedes-Benz cars are 2013 to 2015 models of E400 Hybrid, E350, E63 AMG, CLS63 AMG and CLS550. The 2013 and 2014 models of E550 and the 2015 model of E400 (non-hybrid) and CLS400 are also affected due to the recent recall. The automaker revealed that the E-class convertibles and coupes are not affected.
Mercedes-Benz USA has also issued a stop sale order for its vehicle dealers in the country.
"Effective immediately, a stop sale is required for Model Year 2013-2015 E-Class and CLS vehicles," read the stop sale order. "The affected vehicles that are in dealer inventory, or may be arriving at your dealerships from the VPCs, must be held, and not dealer traded, or used for loaner or demonstration purposes until further instructions are provided."
Mercedes-Benz has also announced that dealers in the U.S. will start notifying affected car owners from mid-March. The dealers will fix four additional clips to retain the rubber seal so that it does not fall off and cause a risk. Customers will not be charged for fixing the problem.
It has not been long since the car maker recalled about 149,000 vehicles in Europe and China over similar issues.
Mercedes-Benz is not the only car maker to be hounded with vehicle recalls due to defective components. Other well-known automakers such as Land Rover and Jaguar recently had to recall some cars over light and brakes issues. In January, Nissan also recalled about 768,000 cars worldwide over faulty hoods that could cause a fire.
