Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes recalls ML, GL and R-Class due to braking issue

Mercedes says rust could cause affect the brake booster on three older models and has issued a recall

Mercedes has issued a global recall affecting almost one million of the cars it has sold globally since 2004, citing a potential issue with the brakes.

Owners of M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class models have been advised by Mercedes not to drive their cars until they’ve been inspected. 

Mercedes has issued a statement saying it has contacted owners of potentially affected vehicles, starting the recall process immediately. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The German firm also said the issue was specifically due to the brakes, stating “the function of the brake booster might be affected by advanced corrosion in the joint area of the housing.” 

Mercedes also said the recall “will involve inspecting potentially affected vehicles and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacing the parts where necessary. Until the inspection takes place, we ask our customers not to drive their vehicles.”

The cars included in the recall were built between 2004 and 2015. Although it is not known how many vehicles in the UK could suffer the fault, 993,407 cars could be affected worldwide. 

The M-Class badge was used on the predecessor to the model now known as the GLE, while the GL-Class name was used on the marque’s flagship until its rebranding as GLS in 2016.

This recall is not the only one Mercedes has issued recently. Back in February last year, a defect in the ‘eCall’ feature (a system that lets emergency services know if a vehicle has been in an accident) was found - affecting over one million cars. 

Check out the latest Mercedes news and reviews here

Skip advert
Advertisement
Alastair Crooks, Staff writer Auto Express
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Mercedes-AMG GT SUV: the Porsche Cayenne’s worst nightmare is here
Richard Ingram with the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV

New Mercedes-AMG GT SUV: the Porsche Cayenne’s worst nightmare is here

Featuring three axial flux motors and up to 1,153bhp, Merc’s calling its new AMG ‘the hi-tech SUV with sports-car DNA’
News
17 Oct 2026
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon 30/06/26

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond

Here are the most important new cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
21 Sep 2026
The diesel company car is dying and I couldn't be happier
Jordan diesel company car opinion

The diesel company car is dying and I couldn't be happier

News editor Jordan Katsianis argues that while diesel still has its merits, its demise in company cars is no bad thing
Opinion
23 Aug 2026
Most expensive cars ever sold at auction
Most expensive cars - header image August 2026

Most expensive cars ever sold at auction

The rarest and most desirable cars ever made fetch eye-watering sums when going under the hammer. These examples attracted the highest auction prices …
Best cars & vans
17 Aug 2026

Most Popular

Used Car of the Year 2026 is the Hyundai Ioniq 5
Used Car of the Year 2026 - Hyundai Ioniq 5

Used Car of the Year 2026 is the Hyundai Ioniq 5

While you can’t go wrong with any of our Used Car Awards winners for 2026, the Hyundai rose above the rest
News
21 Oct 2026
New Chery Tiggo X7 revealed: who knew a Tiggo could get so tough?
Chery Tiggo X7 - front 3/4

New Chery Tiggo X7 revealed: who knew a Tiggo could get so tough?

Chery's new Tiggo X7 SUV promises greater off-road ability than the standard Tiggo 7, but UK launch plans remain unclear
News
21 Oct 2026
Tories spark rumours of 'heavy car tax' in Labour budget - here’s what it could cost
Land Rover Defender V8 - front cornering

Tories spark rumours of 'heavy car tax' in Labour budget - here’s what it could cost

The Conservative Party is claiming that Chancellor John Healey may bring a weight-based car tax supplement in with the next budget
News
23 Oct 2026

Find a car with the experts