October 16, 2017 鈥?Mercedes-Benz is recalling 495,000 vehicles in the U.S., and about 1 million worldwide, to fix driver-side airbags that can suddenly deploy without need of an impact or crash. The problem is not related to exploding Takata airbags that have dominated auto news for a few years. The automaker learned about the problem after customers reported their airbags deployed for no apparent reason, and in some cases left occupants cut and bruised. Mercedes says a combination of problems can trigger the driver-side airbags. Inside the steering column is a clock spring, and if that spring breaks and wiring components aren't properly grounded, an electrostatic discharge can deploy the driver-side airbag when it shouldn't deploy. If a driver needs a wake-up call, that would do it. A driver should get some advanced warning of a problem when a red airbag warning light illuminates on the dashboard. In addition to the 495,000 vehicles recalled in the U.S., another 400,000 need repairs in the UK and 76,000 are recalled in Canada. The recall is expected to begin in December 2017. Mercedes dealers will make sure the steering components are correctly grounded, a job that should take about an hour.

October 16, 2017 鈥?Mercedes-Benz is recalling 495,000 vehicles in the U.S., and about 1 million worldwide, to fix driver-side airbags that can suddenly deploy without need of an impact or crash. The problem is not related to exploding Takata airbags that have dominated auto news for a few years. The automaker learned about the problem after customers reported their airbags deployed for no apparent reason, and in some cases left occupants cut and bruised. Mercedes says a combination of problems can trigger the driver-side airbags. Inside the steering column is a clock spring, and if that spring breaks and wiring components aren't properly grounded, an electrostatic discharge can deploy the driver-side airbag when it shouldn't deploy. If a driver needs a wake-up call, that would do it. A driver should get some advanced warning of a problem when a red airbag warning light illuminates on the dashboard. In addition to the 495,000 vehicles recalled in the U.S., another 400,000 need repairs in the UK and 76,000 are recalled in Canada. The recall is expected to begin in December 2017. Mercedes dealers will make sure the steering components are correctly grounded, a job that should take about an hour.

As was the case when Mercedes updated the C- and E-classes last year, the GLK can now be fitted with an entire warehouse of gadgets and safety features. Standard kit includes nine airbags鈥攊ncluding driver and passenger pelvic airbags鈥攁ctive front head restraints, and Benz鈥檚 Attention Assist system, which purports to tell drivers that they鈥檙e tired and should stop driving. Buyers can pay extra for a power tilt/telescoping steering column, navigation, a rearview camera, a power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, an automated parking system, leather upholstery, and keyless start. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and radar cruise control are available, as well. All of the toys and safety tech not only help Mercedes-Benz distinguish its entry-level ute from feature-packed competitors sold by non-luxury brands, but they also will bring the GLK鈥檚 price into the could-have-had-a-condo range. 50K. We just hope that Benz positions the diesel GLK250 as it did the diesel GL-class鈥攁s the entry-level model.

We鈥檝e known about it for a few months, and now we finally have details on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris midsize van. The rear-wheel-drive Metris will be offered initially only with Mercedes鈥?2.0L GDI turbocharged I-4 producing 208 hp and 258 lb-ft, mated exclusively to a seven-speed automatic transmission in North America. The Metris, sold in Europe and other Markets as the Vito, is usually equipped with Mercedes鈥?2.1L turbodiesel I-4 engine. The diesel, versions of which are already offered in the larger Sprinter as well as the E250 and GLK250 Bluetec models, may be offered as an option at a later date, but no mention was made in the debut announcement. 33,495 for the passenger version. This gives the cargo van the distinction of being Mercedes鈥?lowest-priced model in the U.S. Obviously, being a Mercedes, safety features get top billing, with the cargo version getting six airbags, and the passenger version getting eight, along with standard attention assist, crosswind assist, and load-adaptive stability control. Optional safety and convenience features include parking assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and a rearview camera. Mercedes also notes the addition of larger cupholders to better meet the preferences of North American customers. The Metris will go on sale at more than 200 Mercedes-Benz commercial dealerships in October.

December 17, 2014 鈥?Mercedes-Benz is recalling over 4,800 cars that can leak oil from a faulty gasket seal. Mercedes-Benz says the recalled cars include the 2014-2015 E250 BlueTec, E250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec and 2015 ML250 4Matic BlueTec. Mercedes-Benz engineers found instances of chain tensioner leakage in cars located outside the U.S. Mercedes said the problem was traced to a chain tensioner not properly torqued in the engine block. Further investigation showed there were variations in the tolerances of the gasket material. The gaskets can have a settling behavior that interferes with the pretensioning force, a problem that can cause a faulty gasket seal to leak engine oil. That leaking oil could trigger a fire if the oil contacts an ignition source, it can leave an oil slick on the road or cause the engine to die from a lack of oil. The recall is expected to begin December 26, 2014. Mercedes-Benz will notify owners and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket.