The encyclopedia · Product & Design · Product decision · 2019–2026
Mercedes: 310,667 cars whose door switch forgets the parking brake
A corroding door-lock micro-switch stops Auto-Park engaging — parked cars can roll away. 310,667 US vehicles 2019–2026; dealers replace the lock free (26V481).
Mercedes-Benz · 2026-08-04
What happened
Mercedes-Benz recalled 310,667 US vehicles on August 4, 2026 — the micro-switch in the driver's door lock can corrode and fail to detect an open door, so the electronic parking brake's Auto-Park never engages and a parked car can roll away.
The recall spans 2020–21 CLA, 2019–22 A-Class, 2022–23 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020–26 GLA/GLB and 2023–24 GLC. Dealers replace the driver's door lock free; owner letters mail from September 18 (NHTSA 26V481).
A corrosion problem in a switch that exists to notice a door — the car forgets it is parked.
Why it happened
- Corroding door-lock micro-switch disables Auto-Park — rollaway risk; 310,667 vehicles 2019–2026; lock replaced free
- The parking brake's last word comes from a door switch — one corroded contact unparks the car
- Six model lines share the switch — the part, not the platform, is the defect
The lesson
A rollaway begins with a sensor that lies. The car believes its door is closed and its brake is set; corrosion knows otherwise — six model years of drivers park on a switch's word.
Sources
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