NHTSA Recall 26V481000: Mercedes-Benz Rollaway Risk (Door Switch)

What the recall covers

Recall 26V481000 covers 310,667 Mercedes-Benz vehicles across the A-Class, CLA, GLA, GLB, C-Class, GLC and CLE lines (2019–2026, including many AMG variants). A microswitch inside the driver's-door lock can corrode and fail to detect when the door is open. When that happens, the electronic (automatic) parking brake may not engage as it should when the driver exits, so the vehicle can roll away — a serious injury risk to the driver, bystanders, or property. Mercedes-Benz reported 176 field cases in the U.S. between March 2020 and June 2026, with no rollaways reported to date.

The remedy

Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and replace the driver's-door lock, free of charge. Owner-notification letters are expected to mail September 18, 2026; affected VINs are searchable through NHTSA's recall lookup as of July 31, 2026.

What owners should do now

• Until the repair is done, always set the manual parking brake and leave the vehicle in Park before you step out — don't rely on the automatic parking brake.
• On any incline, turn the front wheels toward the curb as a backstop.
• Watch for your Mercedes-Benz owner-notification letter (expected September 18, 2026) and schedule the free door-lock replacement.
• Confirm whether your specific VIN is affected — the recall spans many models and years but not every vehicle.
• Keep your recall letter and every repair order; note any rollaway incident or time out of service.

How to check your VIN

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is included by entering the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or mbusa.com. Inclusion is VIN-specific, not just by model and year.

Mercedes-Benz USA customer service: 800-367-6372. NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236.

When this recall can become a California lemon law claim

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free fix. Your Mercedes-Benz may qualify under California's Lemon Law if the recall repair is significantly delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects. In those cases you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees. For the full breakdown, see the guides below.