Recall 15V088 affects 147,224 2013-2015 Mercedes-Benz E350, E400, E550, E63, CLS400, CLS550, and CLS63 vehicles for a hood-seal fire risk. Free dealer repair.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 147,224 2013-2015 E350, E63, CLS550, and CLS63 vehicles under recall 15V088 because a rubber seal at the back of the engine bay can stick to the hood and fall when the hood closes. If the seal reaches hot exhaust parts, fire risk increases, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rubber seal sits at the back of the engine bay on the 2013-2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS-Class models in this recall. It is supposed to stay fixed to the secondary bulkhead, the panel behind the engine, when the hood is opened and closed. In normal use, that seal keeps the rear edge of the engine compartment closed off and away from engine heat.
On these vehicles, a cosmetic design change made it harder during assembly to confirm that the seal was mounted and secured correctly. If the seal is not secure, it sticks to the underside of the hood when the hood is opened. When the hood closes, the seal drops into the space between the engine and the secondary bulkhead instead of staying in place. Mercedes-Benz added four retaining clips to keep the seal attached.
The warning sign is a loose or displaced seal after the hood has been opened. You can see the seal down behind the engine, or notice that it no longer sits along the rear edge of the engine bay.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 Mercedes-Benz model variants across the 2013-2015 model years, all tied to the same body structure component.
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 | body structure |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350 | body structure |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 | body structure |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 | body structure |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | body structure |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | body structure |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | body structure |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid | body structure |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid | body structure |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid | body structure |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E400 | body structure |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E63 | body structure |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 | body structure |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 | body structure |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 | body structure |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 | body structure |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS400 | body structure |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 | body structure |
| Units affected | 147,224 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose rubber seal can fall into the engine compartment and contact exhaust parts, increasing fire risk. The seal can drop into the area between the engine and secondary bulkhead, so schedule the recall repair and avoid ignoring loose engine-bay sealing. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Mercedes-Benz E63, CLS63, E350, CLS550, E400 Hybrid, E400, E550, or CLS400 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free retaining-clip repair that secures the rear engine-bay rubber seal.
- Bring the owner letter if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V088 when you call.
- Keep the hood closed unless service is needed, and call the dealer before driving if the rubber seal has fallen into the engine bay.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician secures the rubber seal at the back of the engine bay by attaching four additional retaining clips. The repair keeps the seal from sticking to the hood and dropping into the engine bay when the hood is closed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for this same repair before the recall notice, ask the service desk or Mercedes-Benz customer service how to submit documentation under the general reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 6, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 9, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V088?
Recall 15V088 covers 147,224 2013-2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS-Class vehicles with a rubber seal at the back of the engine bay that can stick to the hood, drop into the engine compartment, and contact the exhaust system. Mercedes-Benz dealers attach four additional retaining clips for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Mercedes-Benz E63, CLS63, E350, CLS550, E400 Hybrid, E400, E550, or CLS400 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V088. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the retaining-clip repair. Reference recall number 15V088 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2015020001 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers add the retaining clips to the rubber seal free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it can contact hot exhaust components and increase the risk of a fire. Confirm your VIN, then have the dealer complete the free retaining-clip repair.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm inclusion in recall 15V088, then contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer or Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-201-573-5339.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V088000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-201-573-5339 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V088 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V088000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →