Recall 11V208 affects 136,751 1999-2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class vehicles for delayed cruise-control disengagement. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 136,751 1999-2003 M Class vehicles because pumping the brake pedal can make cruise control harder to disengage, even though the stalk and other shutoff methods still work. Difficulty or delay in turning off cruise control increases crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Mercedes-Benz makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The cruise control system on 1999-2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class vehicles is designed to hold a set speed without the driver pressing the accelerator. Under normal operation, the driver can cancel cruise control by tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking hard enough for the vehicle to reach a set deceleration rate.
In affected vehicles, the brake-pedal cancel path does not always work the way the driver expects. When the driver pumps the brakes instead of applying steady pedal force, cruise control can stay engaged unless the driver presses the pedal with unusually high force. The cruise control stalk and the deceleration-based cancel function remain available.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue shows up when the driver tries to cancel cruise control with brake-pedal input and the system does not disengage as expected.
Who's affected?
Spans the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 model years, all tied to the same cruise-control component.
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class | Cruise control |
|---|---|
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class | Cruise control |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class | Cruise control |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class | Cruise control |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class | Cruise control |
| Units affected | 136,751 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
The issue can make cruise control harder or slower to disengage, increasing the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, give yourself extra room, and schedule the recall repair if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1999-2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free cruise-control repair that fixes delayed disengagement when braking.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 11V208 when you call.
- Avoid using cruise control until the dealer completes the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician repairs the cruise control disengagement issue described in the recall. The problem involves brake pedal use that does not always shut cruise control off as the driver expects, while the stalk and stronger braking methods still work. Mercedes-Benz's filing says dealers repair the affected vehicles free of charge, and the safety recall began during October 2011. The filing does not list a labor time.
Timeline
| March 31, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 20, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V208?
Recall 11V208 covers 136,751 1999-2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class vehicles with a cruise-control defect. Pumping the brake pedal instead of applying steady pressure can make cruise control harder to disengage, increasing crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers will repair the vehicles for free.
What should I do if my 1999-2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific M Class is included in recall 11V208. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the cruise-control repair. Reference recall number 11V208 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz says dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge. The repair is handled through a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Is it safe to drive my Mercedes-Benz M Class before the recall repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety concern is delay or difficulty disengaging cruise control when using the brake pedal, which can increase crash risk. Until the repair is complete, avoid using cruise control and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz M Class used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific M Class is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 11V208.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V208000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V208 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V208000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →