NHTSA Documents Silent Parking Brake Failure in 310,667 Mercedes Vehicles: Free Fix Required

Mercedes-Benz USA has filed a safety recall for 310,667 vehicles across seven model lines after U.S. regulators documented a defect that can disable the car’s automatic electronic parking brake without warning. Filed under NHTSA campaign number 26V481000, the issue involves a micro-switch built into the driver’s door lock assembly. Over time, moisture and oxidation can degrade the switch until it can no longer signal the car’s control systems that the door has opened. Because the auto-engage logic is designed to clamp the rear brakes when the driver exits, the vehicle may not hold itself on an incline or uneven surface. The remedy requires replacing the door lock assembly sensor, not an over-the-air update.