2000-2002 Mercedes M-Class vehicles probed for faulty warning light

(December 29, 2010) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into concerns that 2000-2002 Mercedes Benz M Class vehicles have a defective warning light that could result in drivers being unable to disengage the cruise control, the Detroit News reported today.

NHTSA said in a notice posted Monday on its website that the investigation covers 137,400 vehicles. The agency said the failure of the brake lamp warning light could potentially lead to "the inability to disengage the cruise control using the brake pedal."

NHTSA said it has received 15 vehicle owner questionnaire reports alleging the brake lamp switch failed. A technical service bulletin was written in May 2005 to address the issue.