The second-generation Mercedes GLC has been hit with a recall in the United States. A small number of 300 4MATIC sport utility vehicles feature insufficiently torqued bolts in the dashboard area due to a deviation of rework process at the factory, which is a big concern.
Forget rattles and that kind of stuff. Said improperly tightened bolts may cause incorrect airbag deployment or even a separation of parts during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. What's more, MBUSA has also identified loose 12-volt electric auxiliary heater connections.
For the second issue, Mercedes-Benz USA notes that electrical resistance and temperature in this area might increase. In other words, a fire may start from the auxiliary heater area. That being said, how did Merc identify said problems?
It all started in June 2023 with an internal production assessment, during which the quality control boffins identified abnormal noises coming from the glove compartment of a newly produced GLC 300 4MATIC. As it happens, the bolt used to fasten the front passenger airbag module wasn’t tightened to the correct value.
Further analysis led to the discovery of multiple other improperly torqued bolt connections in the dashboard area, which prompted the company to initiate a plant rework campaign. As per a document published on the NHTSA's website, a certain worker incorrectly performed the rework process during a limited production timeframe.
Photo: Mercedes
Come September 2023, the workers were retrained. Through March 2024, the manufacturer continued reviewing production records and rework documentation to identify vehicles that may have been released to dealers with incorrectly torqued bolts. Merc didn't find any, which explains why the recall population for the US features 2023 models produced between March 2023 and May 2023.
The automaker's US division isn't aware of any claims related to the described condition. For some reason or another, Mercedes didn't explain how it determined the loose 12-volt electric auxiliary heater connections. In any case, dealers are to inspect and tighten the bolt to the correct torque values at no charge to affected customers.
Dealers will be notified on July 15, whereas owner notifications will be mailed before September 6. The easiest way to determine if your GLC 300 4MATIC is recalled? That would be the VIN look-up tool on Merc's website. Alternatively, open a new tab in your preferred browser to search for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall portal.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC models in question feature VINs beginning with W, which used to mean West Germany back when there was a wall in Berlin that prevented access from the communist side. To whom it may concern, vehicles produced in East Germany featured SN to ST identification numbers.
Even though GLC stands for Gelandewagen Luxus Kompaktklasse, this fellow is considered a mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle. Priced at $49,450 as opposed to $47,450 for the rear-drive GLC 300, the all-wheel-drive GLC 300 4MATIC is listed with the very same 6.2 seconds to 60 mph (97 kph) as the lesser model. Both feature a mild-hybrid turbo inline-four mill with 255 ponies and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) of twist.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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