Mercedes-Benz has announced a major safety recall covering 310,667 vehicles in the United States after identifying a defect that could increase the risk of a vehicle rolling away. The issue stems from a door-lock microswitch that may deteriorate over time, potentially preventing key safety systems from activating when the driver exits the vehicle.
The recall spans several popular Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and SUVs produced between the 2019 and 2026 model years, including multiple AMG performance variants.
Moisture Can Damage a Critical Door-Lock Component
According to the recall report, the issue originates from the housing of the driver’s door-lock microswitch. The material used in the housing can allow moisture to accumulate, particularly when exposed to prolonged periods of high humidity and elevated temperatures.
Over time, this trapped moisture can corrode the microswitch inside the door assembly. Although the mechanical door lock itself continues to function normally, the damaged switch may fail to correctly communicate the driver’s door status to the vehicle’s electronic systems.
That communication plays an important role in enabling features such as the electronic parking brake and Auto-Park. If the system does not recognize that the driver’s door has been opened, these functions may not activate automatically, increasing the possibility of unintended vehicle movement if the car has not been properly secured.
Affected Models Cover Several Popular Mercedes Vehicles
The recall includes a wide range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles manufactured between the 2019 and 2026 model years. Affected models include:
- 2023–2024 GLC-Class
- 2020–2026 GLB-Class
- 2021–2025 GLA-Class
- 2024 CLE-Class
- 2020–2021 CLA-Class
- 2022–2023 C-Class
- 2019–2022 A-Class
Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed that AMG versions of these models are included wherever applicable.
Owners should note that not every vehicle from these model years is necessarily affected, as eligibility depends on the specific production period and vehicle identification number (VIN).
Investigation Took Several Years
Mercedes-Benz said the issue first surfaced through reports received between 2021 and 2024. At that stage, the company considered the failures to be isolated comfort-function issues and found no evidence suggesting an immediate safety concern.
The situation changed in May 2025, when an incident reported outside the United States prompted engineers to conduct a more detailed investigation into the component.
Further testing carried out during 2026 revealed that prolonged exposure to humid and hot environments could allow moisture to penetrate the switch housing, eventually leading to corrosion and electrical failure.
The automaker said it has identified 176 field cases associated with comfort-related functions linked to the faulty switch. Those reports played a key role in confirming the underlying cause and ultimately led to the recall decision.
What Owners Should Do
Mercedes-Benz owners whose vehicles are included in the recall will be contacted by the company. Dealers will inspect the affected door-lock switch and replace the component where necessary at no cost to customers.
Until repairs are completed, drivers are advised to make sure the vehicle is securely parked before leaving it. Rather than relying solely on automatic systems, owners should verify that the electronic parking brake has engaged or manually apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle.
Owners can also check whether their vehicle is included by entering its VIN through Mercedes-Benz’s recall portal or the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall lookup service once the campaign is fully active.
Safety Systems Depend on Reliable Sensors
Modern vehicles increasingly rely on small electronic sensors to coordinate multiple safety functions. While the door-lock microswitch is a relatively minor component, its failure can have wider consequences because it provides important information to other vehicle systems.
Mercedes-Benz’s latest recall highlights how seemingly small electrical faults can affect advanced driver-assistance and parking technologies. By addressing the issue before more serious incidents occur, the company aims to reduce the risk of unintended vehicle movement and maintain the reliability of its safety features.
