There aren’t a lot of 2022 Mercedes-AMG G 63 4×42 SUVs in the U.S. But the few owners who have one should stop driving it immediately. Mercedes has issued a recall order affecting 278 of the big 4x4s, which may be close to the total population of them stateside.
Rare, Tall, and Parked for Now
The G 63 4×42 is a dedicated off-roader built from the company’s famous G-Wagen ultra-luxury SUV. It sits on portal axles — each wheel has a separate gearbox connected to an axle that sits higher than the center of the wheels. That gives the 4×42 the kind of ground clearance that almost requires a flight plan. The 4×42 can get over obstacles most other off-roaders would avoid.
They’re pricey, starting at over $150,000. While you could use a 4×42 as a daily driver like you could drink your coffee from a 12-pound mug, why would you? So, the Squared remains a boutique vehicle.
Differential Housing Can Crack Without Warning
Unfortunately, it’s a boutique vehicle with a problem. Mercedes-Benz tells federal safety regulators a rear differential housing on the lifted units can crack without warning. In the mildest cases, it can leak slippery transmission fluid onto the roadway.
But in extreme cases, it can prevent the rear wheels from receiving power. With the kind of understated bureaucratic language we secretly enjoy, Benz says, “a loss of wheel guidance and a loss of propulsion without warning cannot be ruled out.”
To fix the problem, dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the rear axle. All of it. Dealers will arrange to tow the vehicles in for repair and provide a loaner car “where available.”
The fix, as always with recall repairs, is free.
Many cars are recalled, often more than once, during their lifespan. Automakers try to contact every owner but don’t always reach them all. Find out whether your car has any outstanding recalls with the easy VIN tool at our recall center.
