NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Mercedes-Benz recall: The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid

Recall published 23 days ago

The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

The hazard: Brake system defect

A braking defect prompted this notice. The remedy is free and the appointment is usually short; the risk of leaving it is not proportionate to the inconvenience.

What the notice says: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: A fault in the braking system can lengthen stopping distances or cause a loss of braking. Unlike most vehicle faults, this one gives very little warning before it matters.

Recall details

Recall number
26V638000
Published
October 2, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Product type
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC · Mercedes-Benz S 580 E 4MATIC
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V638000

Products covered by this recall

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2025 S 500 4MATIC, Maybach S 580 4MATIC, Maybach S 680 4MATIC, S 580 4MATIC, 2023-2025 S 580 E 4MATIC, and 2024-2025 AMG S 63 E Performance vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 6 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • S 500 4MATIC
  • Maybach S 580 4MATIC
  • Maybach S 680 4MATIC
  • S 580 4MATIC
  • S 580 E 4MATIC
  • and 2024-2025 AMG S 63 E Performance

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Brakes

Mercedes-Benz — A braking defect prompted this notice. The remedy is free and the appointment is usually short; the risk of leaving it is not proportionate to the inconvenience.

  1. Book this repair promptly, and in the meantime leave a larger gap than usual to the vehicle in front.
  2. Do not top up or change brake fluid as a workaround; it will not fix a mechanical or software defect and it may mask one.
  3. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.
  4. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.

Getting the repair booked and paid for

The money side of a vehicle recall is simple. The scheduling side is where people lose weeks.

  • Ask whether the parts are physically in stock before you accept a date. A booking without parts is a wasted morning.
  • If you get nowhere, file at nhtsa.gov. Complaints tied to an open campaign number carry weight.
  • If the dealer says the remedy is not yet available, ask to be put on their notification list and get that in writing by email.
  • Where the manufacturer has issued an interim measure — park outside, do not drive, a software limiter — follow it until the full remedy is done.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 27, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V116. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 9, 2026.

Company contact: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Mercedes-Benz service brakes, hydraulic recalled?

The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid. A brake fluid leak can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Book this repair promptly, and in the meantime leave a larger gap than usual to the vehicle in front.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 27, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V116. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 9, 2026.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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