Five models and about 7,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles are being recalled. The cars, namely the 2011 E-Class, M-Class, R-Class, GL-Class and 2012 S-Class are being recalled because of potentially fuel filters that are leaky “around the heating component.”

Starting November, Mercedes-Benz USA will be calling owners for free inspection and replacement.

Here’s the press release:

Report Date : October 17, 2011 at 09:34 AM
NHTSA Campaign ID number : 11V496000

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
MERCEDES BENZ / E 2011
MERCEDES BENZ / GL 2011
MERCEDES BENZ / ML 2011
MERCEDES BENZ / R 2011
MERCEDES BENZ / S CLASS 2012

Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Mfr’s Report Date: SEP 30, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V496000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,872

Summary:
MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VEHICLES INCLUDING E-CLASS (212 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2010 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2011, R-CLASS (251 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2010 THROUGH APRIL 2011, ML-CLASS (W164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, GL-CLASS (X164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 S-CLASS (221 PLATFORM) VEHICLES. THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA AROUND THE HEATING COMPONENT.

Consequence:
DIESEL FUEL MAY BE DEPOSITED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy:
MBUSA WILL CONTACT OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ USA AT 1-800-367-6372.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Source: Daimler