Because of a crash risk, Mercedes-Benz has announced the issuance of a recall for all-season rubber floor mats sold as accessories in model years 2012-13 M class SUVs in the U.S. The safety regulators say that the gas pedal may be stuck, raising the chances of a crash. According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Daimler AG's Mercedes said 8,675 of the floor mats have been sold in the United States. Mercedes advised owners that until the mat has been replaced, they simply have to take away the floor mats. The recall doesn’t cover the regular floor mats that are standard with every M class vehicle.
Mercedes said that it has not received reports that the issue has resulted to injuries or accidents. A spokesman said that this part is sold as an accessory by its dealers throughout the world. However, he didn’t have a total number affected. The documents also reveal that the floor mats don’t totally conform to the contour of the floor pan.
When this happens, the gas pedal may not retract after the driver stops applying pressure so the car may not slow as expected. Mercedes said that its vehicles have a brake override function but a depressed brake is prioritized if the gas pedal is also depressed. A recall, slated to start by September, will offer a modified replacement floor mat, according to the NHTSA.
