9,000 new Mercedes diesels recalled

Just over nine thousand Mercedes-Benz diesels from the 2007 model year have a potentially faulty crankshaft sensor. Mercedes-Benz USA therefore issued a recall of 9,004 vehicles last including E320s, GL320s, R320s and ML320s. Should the sensor fail as the cars are moving, "the vehicle may lose power rather than enter a limp-home mode. in addition, the vehicle cannot be restarted after failure of the electrical connection in the sensor, increasing the risk of a crash," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall states (read it after the jump).
[Source: Ryan Beene / Automotive News (subs req'd), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
MERCEDES BENZ / E211 2007
MERCEDES BENZ / GLX164 2007
MERCEDES BENZ / M164 2007
MERCEDES BENZ / R251 2007

Manufacturer : MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V006000 Mfr's Report Date : DEC 19, 2007

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 9004

Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR COULD FAIL DUE TO SEPARATION OF BOND WIRES FROM THE LEAD FRAME IN THE SENSOR. THIS RESULTS IN AN INTERRUPTION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE CHIP HOUSING OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence:
WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE POWER RATHER THAN ENTER A LIMP-HOME MODE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED AFTER FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE SENSOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.