Mercedes-Benz will be doing a global recall of its old ML and GL SUVs, as well as the R-Class MPV, sold between 2004 and 2015, a report from the German transport authority (KBA) has revealed. The number of units being called back is close to one million, and the reason is a potential issue with the braking system.

• Old ML, GL, R-Class recalled over brake corrosion
• Damage could result in brake booster function
• All three models were sold in the Indian market

“We have found that in some of those vehicles, the function of the brake booster could be affected by advanced corrosion in the joint area of the housing,” a Mercedes global representative said. When approached for a comment, Mercedes-Benz India said it would issue a statement soon.

The models in question were sold between 2004 and 2015, and all were built on the same large monocoque platform. These were the second-generation Mercedes-Benz ML (W164), first-generation GL (X164) and sole-generation R-Class (W251), all three of which were on sale in India for a certain time.

It is, however, unclear at this point whether Indian-market models will be affected by this recall. Of the 9,93,407 cars potentially affected, around 70,000 of them are in the German market.

The KBA statement said that in very rare cases of severe corrosion, strong or hard braking could cause damage to the brake booster, severing the connection between brake pedal and braking system.

Mercedes-Benz Group AG has said it would commence the recall ‘immediately’ and that it would involve contacting owners, inspecting potentially damaged vehicles and replacing parts where required. Owners of these potentially damaged vehicles are recommended not to drive them until then.

In 2021, Mercedes-Benz recalled nearly 1.3 million cars in the US sold between 2018 and 2019, over a faulty emergency call system that would direct emergency services to the wrong location. This error was fixable with an over-the-air (OTA) update or at the dealership.