Mercedes-Benz Recalls 316 Cars Over Bolt Fastening Issues. This topic has recently attracted significant attention in the fastener industry, reflecting market focus on development trends.
The global fastener market exceeds 100 billion USD, with China accounting for approximately one quarter. Rapid growth in NEVs, wind and solar energy, and aerospace is driving demand for high-performance fasteners.
The industry faces challenges including raw material price volatility, trade friction, and environmental regulations. Companies must respond through innovation, lean management, and market diversification.
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Part 1: Recall Details for Imported GLC and EQE Models
Effective immediately, Mercedes-Benz (China) Auto Sales Co., Ltd. will recall 302 imported Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and EQE-Class vehicles produced between October 20, 2022, and May 20, 2025.
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Cause of Defect: Investigations revealed that for some vehicles within the recall scope, the connecting bolts of the steering system's coupling shaft might not have been tightened strictly according to the specified torque values during the production assembly process.
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Potential Safety Risks: These connecting bolts are responsible for maintaining the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the steering rack. If the fastening torque is insufficient, the connection may gradually loosen during long-term vehicle use. In extreme cases, this looseness could develop into a complete mechanical connection failure, rendering the driver unable to effectively control the vehicle's steering via the steering wheel. This significantly increases the probability of traffic accidents, posing a severe safety threat to occupants and other road users.
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Manufacturer's Corrective Action: To completely eliminate this hazard, Mercedes-Benz (China) Auto Sales Co., Ltd. will instruct its authorized dealers nationwide to proactively contact relevant owners and provide free special inspection services for the recalled vehicles. The focus of the inspection will be the fastening status of the steering coupling connecting bolts. If it is confirmed that the bolts were not tightened to the standard torque, dealer technicians will use professional tools to retighten them, ensuring they reach the design-specified safe torque value, thereby restoring the reliability of the steering system connection.
Part 2: Recall Details for Domestic EQB Models
Starting from September 25, 2025, Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. will recall 14 domestically produced Mercedes-Benz EQB vehicles manufactured between April 11, 2022, and March 22, 2023.
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Cause of Defect: For some vehicles within this recall scope, the fixing bolts for the high-voltage busbar inside the high-voltage traction battery may not have met the correct fastening requirements during the assembly stage.
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Potential Safety Risks: The high-voltage busbar is a critical channel for energy output from the electric vehicle's traction battery, making its secure fixation paramount. Insufficient bolt fastening may lead to increased contact resistance in the electrical connection, abnormal heating, or intermittent disconnection caused by vehicle vibrations. This will directly result in unexpected power loss while driving—meaning the vehicle suddenly loses drive power. In scenarios such as highway driving, this significantly increases the risk of rear-end collisions or being rear-ended, constituting a clear safety hazard.
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Manufacturer's Corrective Action: Out of prudent safety considerations and to resolve the issue fundamentally, Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. has decided to replace the entire high-voltage traction battery assembly free of charge for the affected vehicles. Authorized dealers will be responsible for carrying out the replacement work to ensure the vehicle's traction battery system is restored to a completely safe state.
Owner Notification and Follow-up Services
Both companies have pledged to send written notification letters to all owners involved in this recall through formal channels such as registered mail. These letters will detail the reasons for the recall, potential risks, and specific solutions. Meanwhile, affected owners can also proactively seek consultation and schedule recall repair appointments by calling the Mercedes-Benz customer service hotline or contacting any local authorized Mercedes-Benz service center directly.
Industry Warning Significance
This Mercedes-Benz recall event once again highlights through a practical example that in the highly complex modern automotive industry, even seemingly minor fasteners play an non-negligible role when it comes to proper process application and strict quality control. Especially in core vehicle safety systems, such as steering mechanisms and high-voltage electric drive systems, the reliability of bolted connections directly concerns the safety of life and property. It urges the entire automotive supply chain—from component manufacturing to final vehicle assembly—to elevate the standardization and consistency of fastening processes to a strategic safety level, continuously improving quality management systems to prevent such safety hazards and safeguard consumer rights and public safety.
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