Mercedes recalls 24,000 cars
Mercedes‑Benz is recalling roughly 24,000 E‑Class and S‑Class 4MATIC cars from model years 2018–2020 for a driveshaft defect that can cause sudden loss of propulsion. The recall affects used‑vehicle supply and could create collateral and servicing headaches for auto lenders with concentrated model exposure. (finance.yahoo.com)
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 24,092 older all-wheel-drive luxury cars after a driveshaft joint defect raised the risk of sudden power loss. (finance.yahoo.com) The recall covers 2018 through 2020 model-year Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class 4MATIC vehicles, plus some Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC cars, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing submitted April 3, 2026. (static.nhtsa.gov) Federal safety regulators assigned the campaign NHTSA recall number 26V216000, and Mercedes told regulators dealers were notified on April 10, 2026. Owner letters are expected to be mailed by June 2, 2026. (usatoday.com, static.nhtsa.gov) The part at issue is the driveshaft universal joint, a connector that lets power keep flowing as suspension and drivetrain parts move. Mercedes said the joint can break, which can cut drive power to the wheels without warning and increase crash risk. (static.nhtsa.gov, finance.yahoo.com) That matters in the used-car market because the affected vehicles are 6- to 8-year-old premium models that are commonly sold through franchised dealers and financed. Cars pulled for inspection or repair can temporarily tighten supply, delay deliveries, or complicate trade-ins. (finance.yahoo.com, mbusa.com) It also matters for lenders and fleet managers because recall work can interrupt repossession, resale, and remarketing timelines. A financed car with an open safety recall can lose auction appeal until a dealer confirms the repair was completed. (finance.yahoo.com, mbusa.com) The affected list is broad inside those nameplates: the filing names E 400 4MATIC sedan, wagon, coupe, and cabriolet models for 2018, E 450 4MATIC versions for 2019 and 2020, and several S 450, S 560, coupe, and Maybach variants. Mercedes estimated 100% of the 24,092 recalled vehicles carry the defect. (static.nhtsa.gov) Mercedes told regulators dealers will inspect the driveshaft and replace it if needed at no charge. Owners can check their 17-digit vehicle identification number through Mercedes-Benz USA’s recall lookup or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database before letters arrive. (mbusa.com, static.nhtsa.gov) For now, the recall turns a hidden driveline part into an immediate service issue for thousands of high-end used cars. The next milestone is June 2, when owner notices are scheduled to start going out. (static.nhtsa.gov)
