Owner Letter

October 10, 1991


Dear Mercedes-Benz 190 Model Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 1984 to mid-1988 Registration Year Mercedes-Benz 190 Class cars. Our records indicate that you own a vehicle within the affected serial number range.

The grip for the parking brake lever in these vehicles, under certain conditions, can pinch and hold the release knob while the lever is being raised to apply the parking brake. When the release knob is pinched by the grip it can prevent complete engagement of the parking brake mechanism. This means that, in extreme cases, the vehicle may be parked with the parking brake only partially engaged. Vibrations and other outside influences might then cause the parking brake lever to release unintentionally.

Properly parked automatic transmission cars will be held stationary in "P" as recommended in your owner's manual. Properly parked manual transmission cars will be held stationary in first or reverse gear, as recommended in your owner's manual, except on steep grades.

Please contact your nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for an appointment to have the grip on your vehicle replaced free of charge. We are sorry to inconvenience you, but it is important for safety to have the new grip installed. Replacement of the old grip with the new one will require less than 15 minutes.

Until your vehicle receives the new grip, please continue to follow the recommendations for proper parking described in your owner's manual. Also, if the button stays depressed when the parking brake lever is set, release the lever and apply it again so that the button pops out. This will avoid the possibility of vehicle rollaway.

Should you have any questions or difficulty regarding the grip replacement, a list of Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. Regional Offices and other important information accompanies this letter.


Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this service causes you.