| Issue ID | 996208 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10525534 |
| Manufacurer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| Brand | MERCEDES BENZ |
| Model | GL450 |
| Model Year | 2013 |
| File date | 16/07/13 |
| Component | SEATS |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | The 2nd row headrests do not fully extend/retract upward and also cannot be removed! We are being told by mbusa that this is because of the "easy entry 2nd row option" and that those headrests have limited capabilities as far as raising/lowering/removing. As a result children sitting in the 2nd row have their heads pushed forward (because of the headrests) which is causing major neck discomfort and is a real hazard for children. This also cannot be cured by raising the headrest because children of a certain size, probably ages 10-16, aren't short enough to fit "under" the headrest and aren't tall enough to have their head/neck fit properly on the headrest. There needs to be an option where these vehicles, equipped with the "easy entry 2nd row option", can have their 2nd row headrests removed when children of a certain height will be sitting there. This is really a big problem and a dangerous problem that mbusa needs to address immediately. I am not sure how they missed this in their safety tests. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 180 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | MORRISTOWN, NJ |
| VIN pattern | 4JGDF7CE1DAXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 0 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 25 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |