Mercedes Benz ML350 Floor Mats

• All-weather floor mats could interfere with the vehicle's gas pedal.
• ML350, ML550 and ML63 AMG included in recall campaign.
• Mercedes M-class owners should remove all-weather mats pending replacement.

In a defect notice sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mercedes-Benz announced a voluntary safety recall of approximately 8, 675 ML350, ML550 and ML63 AMG models. The automaker says that an all-weather floor mat sold by Mercedes-Benz dealers could interfere with the vehicle's accelerator pedal. As a result, the accelerator could remain in a depressed position, even if the driver removed his or her foot from the pedal.

Dealers offered the all-weather floor mats as an accessory for the 2012 and 2013 Mercedes-Benz M-class SUVs. The automaker says it has sold approximately 8, 675 sets, but is unsure how many contain the defect.

Mercedes-Benz discovered the defect in a company-owned, long-term M-class test vehicle. Personnel preparing the vehicle found that the clearance between the mat and the accelerator pedal failed to meet design specifications. Because a potential safety issue could not be ruled out, Mercedes initiated a voluntary recall.

M-class SUVs, like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, include a standard brake override function. In vehicles so equipped, depressing the brake pedal will electronically cancel the signal from the gas pedal and allow the driver to stop the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz expects to begin the recall campaign in September but in the meantime urges owners with these mats to remove them from the vehicle. As part of the recall, the company will provide replacement mats at no charge.

What it means to you: Recalls improve the safety of vehicles to the benefit of everyone on the road. The latest recall from Mercedes-Benz affects potentially defective all-weather floor mats sold by dealers for 2012-2013 M-class SUVs.