Mercedes Recalls Mats That Could Jam Gas Pedal

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz Cars unit is recalling rubber floor mats used in its 2012-2013 ML350, ML550 and ML 64 crossovers that could prevent the vehicle's accelerator pedal from returning to idle.

The all-season mats were sold worldwide by Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH. Daimler has no immediate estimate of the global volume sold but says about 8,700 of the mats are in use in the U.S. The recall does not include the vehicle's standard floor mats.

Daimler dealers in the U.S. will begin in September to replace the rubber mats with a modified design. Neither Daimler nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported incidents associated with the problem.

The company notes that all its current models have a brake override system that enables the driver to stop the vehicle even if the accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor. If both pedals are depressed simultaneously, the system automatically overrides signals from the accelerator and returns the engine to idle.