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Mercedes-Benz Air Bag Recalls Involve Status Displays and Deployment Problems
Mercedes-Benz airbag recalls in this group involve incorrect status information, inactive systems, loose sensor connections, mounting problems, and damaged seat wiring. Sprinter vans appear in two notices: certain 2018-2019 vans may have inactive airbag systems, while a separate notice covers certain 2019 Sprinter vans with swivel seats whose wiring can become jammed and damaged. The passenger-airbag display recall spans numerous 2018 C-Class and 2018-2019 GLC variants equipped with Audio 20 and automatic child seat recognition. Another notice includes certain 2021 AMG E53 and AMG CLS53 vehicles with side crash sensor connectors that may loosen. Certain 2021 GLB 250 and AMG GLB 35 vehicles have a driver-side window airbag mounting concern.
Warning signs to watch for
- Recall 2018120009: The passenger airbag status display may incorrectly show 'ON' when the airbag is not on.
- June 3, 2020 Sprinter swivel-seat wiring recall: The seat side airbag may deploy inadvertently.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
The five notices in this group do not tell owners to stop driving, and none gives a park-outside instruction. This applies to the passenger-airbag status display recall, inactive Sprinter airbag systems recall, side crash sensor connector recall, GLB window airbag mounting recall, and Sprinter swivel-seat wiring recall. Their stated risks concern airbags or seat belts failing to function as intended, incorrect information about airbag availability, or inadvertent side airbag deployment. The notices do not establish that an affected vehicle is safe to drive.
What the free repair involves
These remedies are free of charge. Dealers update audio head unit software for 2018120009, inspect and correct inactive Sprinter airbag systems as necessary, and inspect and replace side impact sensors as necessary for 2021070032/33. They inspect and repair GLB window airbag mounting as needed. The June 2020 Sprinter remedy includes wiring inspection, repairs, and clips or cable ties as needed.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 4 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Where owners report air bags problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under air bags for the Mercedes-Benz models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Air bags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz GLB Window Air Bag Mounted Incorrectly | high |
| Jul 12, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz AMG side-impact airbag sensors may loosen | high |
| Jun 3, 2020 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Seat Airbags May Fail | medium |
| Oct 2, 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans May Have Inactive Airbags | high |
| Nov 27, 2018 | Mercedes-Benz Passenger Air Bag Status May Display Incorrectly | high |
Common questions
Can the Mercedes-Benz passenger airbag display show ON incorrectly?
Recall 2018120009 says the passenger airbag status may display incorrectly in specified C-Class and GLC vehicles with Audio 20 and automatic child seat recognition. An incorrect 'ON' display can conceal that the airbag will not deploy. Dealers update the audio head unit software.
What do dealers check on Sprinters with potentially inactive airbags?
The October 2, 2019 notice covers certain 2018-2019 Sprinter vehicles whose airbag systems may not have been activated. Dealers inspect whether the systems are activated and correct them as necessary, free of charge. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
What is the airbag concern with Sprinter swivel seats?
The June 3, 2020 notice identifies certain 2019 Sprinter vans with swivel seats. Front-seat wiring may become jammed and damaged in the seat frames, affecting side airbag deployment. Dealers inspect both front-seat harness routes and repair wiring and add clips or cable ties as needed.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.