Mercedes Recalls GLA, GLC, GLE, CLA, C-Class, S-Class Over Potential Roof Panel Detachment

The subsequent investigation revealed that the wrong adhesive was used to bond the suspect panels during a previous repair, therefore raising more questions than answers. Internal data indicated that certain vehicles had undergone a prior repair to the aforementioned panel. In March 2021, Mercedes determined that pre-treatment, cleaning, and primer application left much to be desired in these cases.

A safety recall was issued on March 12 of 2021, with Merc pointing the finger at dealers and sublets for not following the correct repair procedures. The procedures in question were published in August 2021. Recall number 21V-197 involved 15,096 vehicles over potential roof panel detachment. Fast forward to November 2023, and Mercedes-Benz became aware of similar cases in the field. Care to guess what happened? As per documents filed with the federal watchdog, certain vehicles were inadvertently left out of the recall.

The Stuttgart-based automaker has also recalled vehicles that might have been improperly repaired between the initial determination of the scope of affected vehicles and the second recall's launch date. No fewer than 24 complaints and 228 warranty claims were received between August 2021 and November 2023. An estimated 2,976 vehicles are recalled, with said vehicles manufactured for the US market from 2014 all the way to the 2020 model year.

Happily for both owners and the automaker's legal department, no accidents or injuries were reported as a result of improperly bonded roof panels detaching from the suspect vehicles. Affected nameplates include mostly sport utility vehicles, beginning with the GLA. The remainder comprises GLC, GLE, CLA, C-Class, and S-Class vehicles, including a handful of 63-series performance vehicles. More specifically, the S 63, C 63, GLE 63, and GLC 63.

Dealers have already been instructed to remove the improperly bonded panel and – following the repair instructions – install a new one using the approved cleaner, primer, and adhesive. Owners will be informed via first-class mail on or about February 13, 2024. In the meantime, those who aren't sure if their sunroof-equipped vehicles are recalled or not can easily determine which is which by running the 17-character VIN on the NHTSA's or Merc's websites.

Of the 63-series performance vehicles mentioned earlier, only two still feature V8 muscle. Both the C 63 and GLC 63 are four-cylinder affairs in this day and age, with both flaunting a 2.0-liter turbo in combination with the SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G multi-clutch transmission and plug-in hybrid assistance.

The C 63 S E Performance and GLC 63 S E Performance are rated at 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet (1,020 Nm) in the United States market, but still, are you willing to pony up a huge chunk of cash for an AMG? While that may be fine in the A 45's case, remember that both the C-Class and GLC are larger and more expensive than the A-Class.

Higher up the spectrum, the GLE 63 features the M177 twin-turbo V8 and an EQ Boost starter-alternator system rated at 16 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The S 63 levels up to a plug-in hybrid setup that produces a combined 791 horsepower and a ridiculous 1,055 pound-feet (1,430 Nm) on full song.