With such a high number of recalls, Mercedes-Benz is endangering its own reputation as a quality manufacturer.
(Photo: imago images / Rene Traut)
The list of possible damage to Daimler cars reads like a horror list: Sometimes the crankshaft can fail, sometimes the entire engine. There is always a risk of fire or there are problems with the diesel particulate filter and the steering. The fact that the airbag can then also fail is almost an industry standard.
Nevertheless, the current recall list from Mercedes is really something special. Since the beginning of November the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in Flensburg has recorded a total of 16 car recalls for the premium manufacturer from Stuttgart.
The number of affected vehicles has reached seven digits – no other German manufacturer has reached such a high number in such a short time. It looks much better, especially with the direct premium competitors BMW and Audi.
Mercedes has obviously had a quality problem recently. The electric offensive from Stuttgart is gaining momentum, and there has also been significant progress in building up our own software expertise. But there is a problem with the current bread-and-butter business.
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The Stuttgart-based automaker absolutely has to react. Mercedes is a premium manufacturer that can charge correspondingly high prices. Customers then rightly expect the vehicles to function properly.
A lack of spare parts makes things worse
It gets even worse when the Swabians call the cars to the workshops, as they did with the recent recall, but it is not possible to make an appointment because the spare parts are still missing.
German vehicle manufacturers still have a prominent position in the automotive world, not just at home, but around the world. This position cannot be given up too lightly. New providers, such as those from China, are just waiting for the established competition to make mistakes.
Another 16 recalls in just two months, Mercedes must not allow itself another time.
More: Mercedes has to recall more than 800,000 cars due to fire hazard