Recall Alert: 2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz Diesel Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 6,872 sedans, SUVs and crossovers because of the possibility of a fuel leak, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects 2011 R-Class, 2011 E-Class, 2011 ML-Class, 2011 GL-Class and 2012 S-Class vehicles equipped with a diesel engine. On these vehicles, the O-rings that seal components within the fuel filter may not be effective, allowing fuel to leak onto the road. This could lead to a crash or cause a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Owners will be notified of the recall next month, and Mercedes will inspect and replace the fuel filter if necessary. The repairs will be free. Owners can call Mercedes-Benz at 800-367-6372 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Ch-Ch-Changes: Mercedes-Benz 2012 Lineup

For the 2012 model year, Mercedes-Benz has upgraded most of the powertrains in its lineup with more fuel-efficient transmission and engines, including a new four-cylinder and start/stop technology on some models.

Many models also get a new audio head unit, which has a 5.8-inch display, Bluetooth audio streaming, phonebook download functions, album cover art display and a USB port. We’ll denote which models get the new audio system with *new radio unit. There’s also a new 7-inch touch-screen navigation system available on most models, which includes real-time weather updates, three-dimensional city models and a 10-gigabyte music player.

Continue reading below for more details:

Mercedes-Benz mbrace Plus: Worth the cost?

Kevin Link, marketing head at Hughes Telematics, punched a button in the overhead console of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon. He was in the driver’s seat; I sat shotgun. It was around 11 a.m. on the second media day at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, and a few journalists still trolled the Mercedes display outside our car.
 
Moments later, the E-Class patched through a perky operator. She asked Link what he’d like. He wanted coffee. She sent directions to the nearest Starbucks to the car’s navigation system. Anything else?
 
I pitched a curveball: Say, what’s Google stock running at right now? Could we buy some shares?
 
A moment of silence.
 
She piped up: “As of 10:54, I have the price of Google at $613.39, which is down $3.06 today.”
 
“Would you like to buy any?” Link said, grinning. Not right now, I replied.
 
So it goes with Mercedes’ mbrace Plus.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The 2011 Mercedes R-Class isn’t very new anymore, but this year’s exterior refresh is a sleek improvement over the 2010 model, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley. Too bad Mercedes didn’t think of updating the interior as thoroughly; it’s starting to look a bit dated. Despite that shortcoming and the relatively tight cargo quarters for such a large vehicle, the R-Class has a supple ride and decent enough fuel economy to stand out among the more traditional luxury family haulers.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Review

Recall Alert: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, GL-Class, M-Class, R-Class

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 2,297 diesel-powered vehicles from the 2011 model year because of an improperly lubricated O-ring, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
The lack of lubrication may cause the fuel filter to leak. As a result, diesel fuel may spill on the road, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall affects certain E-, GL-, M- and R-Class models built between March and October 2010. You can check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker located on the driver-side doorjamb.
 
Owners are expected to be notified this month, and dealers will replace the fuel filters at no charge. Owners can call Mercedes-Benz at 800-367-6372 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 Video

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 is certainly hard to pigeonhole: Is it an SUV, minivan or crossover? All you should really care about is this Mercedes is a luxurious, refined family-hauler, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley. The second and third rows are rather generous and could spoil any kids that sit back there. The optional diesel powertrain also gives this R-Class respectable fuel-economy numbers to boot. Still, all of that luxury comes at a steep cost. Is it worth it? Watch the video to find out.

2011|Mercedes-Benz|R-Class

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Video

Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder’s first take on the redesigned 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is that it looks like a minivan, which usually is not a good thing. On the other hand, it’s big, roomy and comfortable on the inside. Check out this video, and you can also see how a German automaker finally got cupholders right.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class: Up Close

The biggest change in the redesigned 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a critical one — its styling. The first generation is ... I'll just say it: ugly. Mercedes has overhauled the front end, enlarging the grille and replacing the ovoid headlights with angular ones to match the current design direction. Perhaps the taller grille will make it look less like a minivan, which has been a common complaint since the R made its debut in 2006. It doesn't have sliding rear doors, but its size and nearly vertical liftgate make it look vanlike, even now.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class: First Look

On Wednesday, Mercedes-Benz will unveil all the detailed specifications of its redesigned R-Class. Today, the company has unveiled a slew of photos (above and below) of the “don’t-call-it-a-minivan” luxury minivan. While we get a good look at the exterior changes, namely the radically reshaped front end and LED running lights, there are no shots of the second or third rows. You know, the stuff families care about.

Luxury buyers will likely get a similar layout as the current R-Class, just new accoutrements to go along with the new look. It's slated to go on sale in late July 2010.

We’ll have more information on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class on Wednesday from the floor of the New York auto show. 

Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes-Benz R-Class Are Top Safety Picks

Two models recently earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick rating for 2009. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class and 2010 Lincoln MKZ both earned Good ratings in frontal offset, side-impact and rear crash tests.

For the R-Class, the designation applies to models manufactured after September 2008 with the standard side airbags. The MKZ rated is the new 2010 model that recently went on sale.

IIHS.org