Mercedes is recalling more than 1.3 million cars worldwide, including up to 3,000 cars in Ireland, to fix electrical problems, in the latest blow to the premium marque's reputation.
The biggest recall in the firm's history relates to problems with alternators, batteries and brakes on some models. But Mercedes says none of the problems affects safety. The model most affected is the E-Class, its best-seller in Ireland with prices ranging from €53,010 to €137,240.
E-Class, SL-Class and CLS-Class models produced between June 2001 and March 2005 are being recalled due to a possible braking problem. This relates to the Sensotronic electronic braking system, but Mercedes is keen to point out that even if it does fail, a back-up hydraulic system will automatically take over. "It is not a case that the car will not be able to brake."
Also cars with six- and eight-cylinder petrol engines built between June 2001 and November 2004 are being checked for possible alternator problems that could allow the battery to run flat.
E-Class and CLS-Class models produced between January 2002 and January 2005 are being recalled to check possible battery problems relating to error messages that can appear on the car's computer suggesting the battery is flat when it is not.
According to a spokesman, letters will be sent to customers shortly, though he warned that given the scale of the recall, it may take time to identify the exact cars involved and their owners.
According to Ciaran Allen, Mercedes sales manager for Ireland, the overall cost of the recall is estimated at €500 million. "While recalls are never good news, we would see it as a positive thing, correcting problems that occurred in older models, as part of our strategy to rebuild our reputation for high-quality cars," he said.
All this comes amid a sharp fall in Mercedes sales in Germany in the past two months and several quality problems, causing Mercedes profit to fall 97 per cent in the fourth quarter to €20 million.
Once renowned for the reliability of its cars, its reputation has been besmirched of late by quality issues. Many problems arose from the large amount of new technology Mercedes used in its cars.