Mercedes-Benz-GLK-220-cdi-emissions-recall

Mercedes is obliged to recall 60,000 GLK models due to emissions. It’s not a scam, says Daimler.

24/06/2019

The German Federal Office for the Road Transport (KBA) has ordered Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, to recall approximately 60,000 GLK 220 CDI models. According to KBA, diesel-powered cars manufactured between 2012 and 2015 were equipped with illegal software aimed at reducing toxic gas emissions.

The Office regulation is a result of an investigation launched by KBA last April. At that time, the GLK 220 CDI model with the Euro 5 emission standard began to be examined in more detail for suspicion that the engines were equipped with an illegal computer program to falsify emissions data.

The technicians measured the values of nitrogen oxides that didn’t correspond to the working load of the engine. They discovered a function that kept the engine cooling circuit at lower temperatures. Thus, in the test cycle, the value of nitrogen oxides was kept at an artificially lower level below the legal limit. According to KBA findings, this function was deactivated during normal operation.

As the German Weekly “Bild am Sonntag” wrote, KBA wants to expand Daimler’s investigations, as the suspicious software can also be found in other models of the manufacturer. Daimler wants to implement the recall but would appeal the decision.

However, according to KBA, it is almost certain that the illegal software was used in two engines (OM 642 and OM 651), which would mean that the regulation could also apply to C-Class and E-Class models with more than 700,000 vehicles potentially affected.

The emissions scandal known as “Dieselgate” began in September 2015, when it was discovered that Volkswagen had installed illegal software for handling exhaust emissions in approximately eleven million diesel vehicles worldwide. The affair also affected Audi, Skoda and Porsche brands belonging to the VW Group. Since then, it has been examined whether the other manufacturers have also been involved in the handling of exhaust emissions.

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