The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has just published details of a recall affecting 6,872 Mercedes-Benz clean-diesel cars. 

According to documents published on the NHTSA website, the recall is to addressfaulty fuel-filter seals which can cause diesel fuel to leak onto the road in some cases.

Affected cars, which include Diesel-engined versions of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class and 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class are being recalled by Mercedes-Benz for inspection and refitting of a new fuel filter.

The recall cites that in some cases, diesel fuel may be leak from the car onto the highway and “create the potential for a crash, fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.”

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon

The problem isn’t a new one to Mercedes-Benz, either. Earlier this year, it had to recall 2,297 of its 2011 model year clean diesels for exactly the same problem. 

After the initial 2,297 car recall, Mercedes-Benz engineers were confident that they had fixed the problem, but after reports from unsatisfied customers started to trickle in it became apparent that the issue remained unresolved.

This latest recall comes hot on the heels of a 160,000 + car recall by the Volkswagen group earlier this month, where vibration on some of its clean diesel models was causing a fuel leak at the second fuel injector.

Remedy work to fix the faulty filters is expected to commence in November at Mercedes-Benz dealers across the U.S. Concerned owners may contact Mercedes-Benz USA on 1-800-367-6372, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit the NHTSA’s recall website for more information.

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