Recall 12V533 covers 23 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 vehicles with loose hood secondary latch striker bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 23 2012 CLS550 vehicles because bolts for the hood's secondary latch striker were not tightened enough. An ineffective secondary latch can let the hood open while driving when the primary hood lock also fails or the hood is not fully closed, increasing crash risk; the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The secondary hood latch striker on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is a metal catch mounted at the front of the hood opening. Its job is to give the hood a backup hold after the primary latch releases, so the hood stays controlled while someone opens it by hand. The striker needs tight mounting bolts because the latch depends on that fixed point.
On affected CLS550 vehicles, the bolts that hold the secondary latch striker were not tightened enough during assembly. Loose bolts let the striker move away from its intended position, and the secondary latch no longer has the firm catch it needs. That leaves the hood latch system without the backup hold Mercedes-Benz designed into it.
There is no warning sign before failure. A loose striker is hidden under the hood edge, and an owner is unlikely to feel or hear a clear change during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | Latch |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 23 |
Not every 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced striker-bolt torque can let hood-latch bolts loosen. If two of the four striker bolts loosen and the primary hood lock fails, or the hood is not fully closed, the hood can open while driving and raise crash risk. Schedule service soon and make sure the hood is fully closed before driving. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is included in this recall.
- Contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 if you never received the owner phone notice.
- Ask a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to check the hood secondary latch striker bolts and retighten them as needed.
- Reference recall number 12V533 when you call the dealer or Mercedes-Benz customer service.
- Avoid driving with a loose or unlatched hood until the dealer checks the striker bolts.
What happens at the repair
Mercedes-Benz has identified the dealer fix for this recall. Once the repair is available, a Mercedes-Benz technician checks the bolts that secure the hood's secondary latch striker and retightens any loose bolts. The dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The service visit is focused on the hood latch hardware, not a full hood replacement.
Timeline
| November 6, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 21, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V533?
Recall 12V533 covers 23 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 vehicles with hood secondary latch striker bolts that were not tightened enough. If the bolts loosen and the primary hood lock fails, or the hood is not fully closed, the hood can open while driving, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V533. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the hood secondary latch striker bolts to be checked and retightened. Reference recall number 12V533 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will check and retighten the hood secondary latch striker bolts as needed. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 12V533.
Is it safe to drive my 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 before recall 12V533 is repaired?
The risk is tied to the hood opening while driving after the striker bolts loosen and the primary hood lock fails, or after the hood is left unlatched. Before driving, confirm the hood is fully closed, then have a Mercedes-Benz dealer complete the free recall repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V533000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V533 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V533000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →