Recall 17V817 affects 432 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 vehicles for a brake-booster vacuum hose defect. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 432 2017 G550 vehicles because the vacuum hose for the brake booster can collapse, requiring more effort to stop. Increased braking effort raises crash risk, and the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The brake booster vacuum hose on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 helps the power brake system reduce the force you need at the pedal. The hose carries vacuum to the brake booster, which adds assist when you press the pedal and helps the hydraulic brakes respond with normal pedal effort.
On affected G550 vehicles, a supplier production problem left the vacuum hose outside specification. Oil contamination in the raw hose material can cause the hose to degrade and collapse over time. When that happens, the brake booster loses the vacuum assist it needs, so the brakes still work but require more force from the driver.
Owners can see a brake control lamp in the instrument cluster before the hose collapses. The pedal can also feel harder than normal, which is the sign that brake assist is reduced.
Who's affected?
The brake hose and hydraulic brake assist system are listed separately, but the VIN check is still the deciding step for owners.
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 | hydraulic brake hose |
|---|---|
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 432 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
Increased braking effort raises the risk of a crash because the brake pedal takes more force than expected. Watch for a brake control lamp in the instrument cluster or a harder brake pedal, and schedule service promptly 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 is included in this recall.
- Contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-496-3691 to confirm current parts status before booking service.
- Ask a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer when the brake-booster vacuum-hose replacement opens; that repair addresses the hose collapse that increases braking effort.
- Keep the owner letter with your records, and reference recall number 17V817 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and allow more room for braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician will replace the brake booster vacuum hose if replacement is needed. The dealer repair will be free once available. Mercedes-Benz said parts were not available when the recall remedy was prepared, with owner letters scheduled for January 2018 and a follow-up letter tied to parts availability, then expected in March 2018. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since the involved vehicles remained under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 18, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| January 5, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 5, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 16, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V817?
Recall 17V817 covers 432 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 vehicles with a brake-booster vacuum hose that can collapse. That failure can increase brake pedal effort and raise crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the vacuum hose as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific G550 is included in recall 17V817. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the brake-booster vacuum hose inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 17V817 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2018020010 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the affected brake-booster vacuum hose as needed free of charge, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is increased braking effort. If the brake-booster vacuum hose collapses, the vehicle can require more pedal force to slow or stop, which increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
When were owners notified about recall 17V817?
Mercedes-Benz notified owners in January 2018 and planned a second owner letter when parts became available in March 2018. If you bought the G550 used or never received a letter, check your VIN and call a Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 17V817.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V817000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-496-3691 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V817 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V817000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall 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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →