Mercedes-Benz USA filed NHTSA recall campaign 26V481 on July 30, 2026 — the automaker's largest US recall of 2026 — covering 310,667 vehicles across seven model lines for a door-lock defect that can prevent the electronic parking brake from engaging automatically, creating a rollaway risk.
Which vehicles are affected?
- 2019–2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (A 220)
- 2020–2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA
- 2022–2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (C 300)
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE
- 2020–2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA (including GLA 250 and GLA 250 4MATIC)
- 2020–2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB (including GLB 250 and GLB 250 4MATIC)
- 2023–2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC
- All AMG variants of the above models
The GLB is most heavily represented — it accounts for approximately 132,907 of the 310,667 vehicles, or about 43% of the total recall population. Mercedes estimates 100% of affected vehicles carry the defect.
Check your exact VIN at myobdcode.com/vin-lookup to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What is the exact defect?
The driver's door lock contains a small microswitch that tells the vehicle whether the driver's door has been opened. Mercedes-Benz identified a supplier housing material that may be more susceptible to moisture permeation than specified. Over time — particularly in hot and humid climates — moisture penetrates the housing and corrodes the switch.
When the switch corrodes and fails, the car no longer knows the driver's door has opened. The electronic parking brake and the Auto-Park feature both depend on that door-open signal to engage automatically after the driver exits. Without the signal, neither system engages on its own — leaving the vehicle unsecured against an unintended rollaway.
The manual parking brake still functions normally — it is the automatic engagement that is affected. Mercedes-Benz notes that owners may notice a warning sign: if the radio remains on after you exit and close the door (instead of switching off automatically), the microswitch may already be failing.
Has anyone been injured?
Mercedes-Benz reports 176 US field cases logged between March 2021 and June 2026, all described as comfort-function related. The automaker states it is not aware of any rollaway incident in the United States linked to this defect. However, given that the underlying condition — a vehicle that fails to secure itself when parked — creates real crash potential, NHTSA required the recall to proceed.
What should you do right now?
- Check your VIN immediately — VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 31, 2026. Use myobdcode.com/vin-lookup to confirm in 30 seconds.
- Apply the manual parking brake every time you park — especially on inclines — until the repair is completed. Manually pulling the parking brake switch still works correctly.
- Watch for early warning signs — if your radio, lights, or other features that normally turn off when you open the driver's door are staying on, contact your dealer promptly.
- Contact your Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free repair. Dealers were notified July 31, 2026.
What is the repair?
Dealers will replace the driver door lock with a new unit containing a microswitch built to tighter corrosion-resistance specifications. This is a physical parts replacement — not a software fix — so it requires a dealer visit. The repair is free regardless of vehicle age, mileage, or whether you are the original owner.
A change in the supplier's production procedure was implemented May 20, 2026 — vehicles produced after that date should not be affected.
Owner notification timeline
- July 31, 2026: Dealers notified · VINs searchable on NHTSA.gov
- On or before September 18, 2026: Owner notification letters mailed (phased rollout)
Don't wait for the letter. VINs are already searchable and dealers are already authorized to perform the repair.
Mercedes-Benz USA customer service: 1-800-367-6372
NHTSA recall number: 26V481
Check your VIN: myobdcode.com/vin-lookup