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Mercedes-Benz Seat Recalls Involve Passenger Position, Switches and Headrests
Passenger-seat positioning repeats across these Mercedes-Benz recalls, particularly in E-Class and AMG E53 vehicles. The October 2020 notice concerns a missing mechanical adjustment stop on specified E350, E450, AMG E53, and AMG E63 vehicles; the March 2021 notice concerns a limiter that may position the passenger too close to the air bag. A separate April 2021 notice addresses faulty electrical contacts in seat-position switches across several 2021 model families. Other defects involve insufficient front-seat height-adjuster welding in certain 2019 Sprinter vans and incorrectly mounted rear headrests in specified 2021 C-Class and E-Class cabriolets. The recurring concern is occupant protection during a crash.
Warning signs to watch for
- October 2020 front-passenger-seat recall: the seat may move beyond the acceptable adjustment range relative to the air bag.
- March 2021 passenger-seat-limiter recall: the limiter may allow the seat to be positioned too close to the air bag.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the listed Mercedes-Benz seat notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The November 2019 Sprinter front-seat weld notice does not tell owners to stop driving. Neither the October 2020 missing passenger-seat adjustment-stop notice nor the March 2021 passenger-seat-limiter notice tells owners to stop driving. The April 2021 seat-position-switch notice and the May 2021 cabriolet rear-headrest mounting notice likewise do not tell owners to stop driving. These notices contain no instruction for owners to stop driving their affected vehicles.
What the free repair involves
Repairs are free. November 2019 Sprinter repairs replace front-seat tilt adjusters. October 2020 repairs inspect for the passenger-seat mechanical adjustment limit and install it if necessary. April 2021 repairs replace seat-position switches. March 2021 repairs recalibrate the passenger-seat limiter. May 2021 cabriolet repairs inspect rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
| medium | 2 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz convertible rear headrests may be mounted incorrectly | medium |
| Apr 1, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz seat switch may stop airbags working properly | high |
| Mar 26, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz E53 Passenger Seat Positioned Too Close to Airbag | medium |
| Oct 30, 2020 | Mercedes-Benz Front Passenger Seat Missing Adjustment Stop | high |
| Nov 6, 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Front Seat Weld Can Break | high |
Common questions
Do the two passenger-seat positioning recalls use the same repair?
The October 2020 notice specifies inspecting for the mechanical passenger-seat adjustment limitation and installing it if necessary. The March 2021 notice specifies recalibrating the passenger-seat limiter. Each notice states that its remedy is free of charge.
How can a seat-position switch affect air bags and belts?
The April 2021 notice says a faulty electrical contact within the seat-position switch may prevent driver and passenger air bags and belt force limiters from activating properly during a crash. Dealers replace the seat-position switches free of charge.
What do dealers repair in the cabriolet rear-headrest recall?
For the May 2021 recall, dealers inspect rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The notice covers specified 2021 C-Class and E-Class cabriolets whose rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.