Mercedes-Benz has significantly expanded its Mercedes-Benz brake hose recall, bringing the total number of affected luxury vehicles to more than 30,000 units. Filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under recall number 26V638, the safety action affects specific S-Class, Maybach, and AMG models built between 2021 and 2025.
The German automaker initially believed that front brake hose degradation was restricted to early production vehicles operated primarily in hot and humid climates. However, after reviewing field reports from cooler international markets, the company determined that the potential defect spans a broader production window regardless of geography or regional operating conditions.
Defect Details and Affected Models
At the center of the safety concern is the front brake hose bearing part number A2234201800, which was manufactured by Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Over a vehicle’s lifetime, material fatigue caused by ongoing thermal and mechanical stress can lead the front-axle brake hoses to crack, leak, or rupture.
If a hose fails, fluid can escape from one of the vehicle’s two independent brake circuits, resulting in reduced braking performance and extended stopping distances. Federal safety filings indicate that drivers may experience no advance warning before a fluid leak occurs.
According to NHTSA safety recall data, the expansion covers 30,078 total vehicles across six major variants:
- Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC (2022–2025): 16,881 units
- Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC (2022–2025): 7,143 units
- Mercedes-Benz S 580 e 4MATIC (2023–2025): 2,277 units
- Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE (2023–2025): 1,760 units
- Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC (2022–2025): 1,070 units
- Mercedes-Maybach S 580 4MATIC (2022–2025): 947 units
Repair Process and Owner Notifications
Mercedes-Benz reported three warranty-related cases involving vehicles in the United States, which occurred in April, May, and August. The automaker confirmed it is unaware of any crashes, injuries, or property damage linked directly to the faulty brake lines.
Authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships are scheduled to replace the front-axle brake hoses entirely free of charge for vehicle owners. Official owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed out starting November 27, 2026. Dealership service networks were notified of the procedure in October.
Vehicle owners can verify whether their specific automobile is included in the expanded S-Class recall by visiting NHTSA’s recall lookup tool or the official Mercedes-Benz recall website and entering their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Customers with additional questions or concerns can also contact Mercedes-Benz USA customer service directly at 1-800-367-6372.
