Mercedes-Benz Recalls Nearly 33,500 Older Models Due to Sunroofs That Can Come Loose

Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall that applies to about 33,500 cars, including a handful that are quickly approaching classic status. Built between the 2001 and the 2011 model years, the models included in the recall were built with a sunroof that can leak or, worse, come loose due to an adhesive-related problem.

Assigned recall number 24V-874 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign includes the following vehicles manufactured between May 18, 2000, to July 19, 2010:

• 3944 units of the 2003-2007 C230 sedan.
• 9655 units of the 2002-2006 C230 Coupe.
• 2450 units of the 2001-2005 C240 sedan.
• 292 units of the 2003-2005 C240 Wagon.
• 912 units of the 2006-2007 C280.
• 87 units of the 2002-2004 C32 AMG.
• 1368 units of the 2001-2005 C320 sedan.
• 684 units of the 2003-2005 C320 Coupe.
• 159 units of the 2002-2004 C320 Wagon.
• 143 units of the 2006-2007 C350.
• 66 units of the 2005-2006 C55.
• 462 units of the 2003-2005 CLK320.
• 499 units of the 2006-2009 CLK350.
• 382 units of the 2003-2007 CLK500.
• 78 units of the 2007-2009 CLK550.
• 55 units of the 2003-2005 CLK55.
• 702 units of the 2006 CLS500.
• 663 units of the 2007-2011 CLS550.
• 105 units of the 2006 CLS55.
• 62 units of the 2007-2011 CLS63.
• 2895 units of the 2003-2005 E320 sedan.
• 283 units of the 2004-2005 E320 Wagon.
• 907 units of the 2005-2009 E320 BlueTec/CDI.
• 4,074 units of the 2006-2009 E350 sedan.
• 292 units of the 2006-2009 E350 wagon.
• 1496 units of the 2003-2006 E500 sedan.
• 169 units of the 2004-2006 E500 Wagon.
• 243 units of the 2003-2006 E55 AMG sedan.
• 13 units of the 2005-2006 E55 AMG Wagon.
• 184 units of the 2007-2009 E550.
• 35 units of the 2007-2008 E63 AMG sedan.
• 6 units of the 2007-2009 E63 Wagon.

That’s a total of 33,456 cars, though Mercedes-Benz estimates the defect is only present in about 10% of them. The brand explained that “the bonding between the glass sunroof panel and the sliding roof frame might not meet specifications,” so the glue can deteriorate over time. The result? “As a consequence, a separation of the glass panel from the vehicle cannot be ruled out,” Mercedes-Benz told the NHTSA.

Signs that your older Mercedes is about to jettison its sunroof include “a partially detached panel” or “excessive wind noises.” We’d guess a leak is another warning, though the documents don’t mention it.

At least the fix is relatively straightforward. Owners of affected cars will need to stop by their nearest authorized dealer so that a technician can inspect the sunroof. If it’s about to break free, the dealer will replace it free of charge. Mercedes-Benz plans to begin notifying owners by mail before January 18, 2025.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Mercedes-Benz has recalled older models to repair a loose sunroof. Some of the vehicles included in the latest recall were recalled in 2020 (744,852 cars), in 2021 (11,356 cars), and in 2022 (123,696 cars). The company explained that it needed to issue a fourth (and, hopefully, final) recall because some cars haven’t been fixed yet due to owners not receiving the notification.