Mercedes-Benz recalls M-Class for cruise control glitch

DETROIT (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz launched a global recall older-model M-Class sport utility vehicles for issues related to cruise control that may lead to a crash, Mercedes parent Daimler AG and U.S. federal safety regulators said.

A wide majority of the vehicles being recalled are model year 2000-2002 M-Class SUVs, but there are a small number of 2000-2004 AMG performance vehicles also covered by the recall.

Some 136,751 vehicles will be recalled in the United States and about 50,000 in Germany, said Mercedes-Benz representatives in the two countries.

No crashes or injuries have resulted from the issue, Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran said.

Tapping the brakes to disengage cruise control may fail, increasing the chances of a crash, a filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

There are other ways, including working a "cruise control stalk" on the steering wheel or applying firm consistent pressure on the brakes, that will still disengage the system in the event that tapping the brakes fails, Mercedes-Benz USA said.

Cruise control also automatically disengages at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less, Moran said.

"Since the situation is triggered by a malfunction of the brake lamp switch, Mercedes-Benz USA will replace the brake lamp switch on these models beginning in September at no cost to customers," Moran said.

He said it will take a half year before the repairs begin to "ensure an adequate replacement parts supply."

U.S. consumers will be informed of the recall in the next few weeks.

"We will also remind them to disengage the cruise control by using the stalk or by applying firm pressure on the brake pedal, and to avoid pumping the brakes," Moran said.

The recall was prompted by several complaints from consumers, NHTSA and the automaker said.