Laguna Hills, CA – December 18, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 4Matic, Cabriolet, Coupe, AMG and Mercedes-Mayback vehicles for incorrect detection of seatbelt fasten status. Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain vehicles, the switches in seatbelt buckles might not have been manufactured according to specifications. The potential number of units affected is 5,433.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, a correctly fastened seatbelt could be erroneously detected as unfastened. In this case neither the electric (PRE-SAFE®-function) nor the pyrotechnic tensioning would be activated in the event of a crash, and the full effect of the restraint system would be impaired. This could significantly increase the risk of injury for occupants in the event of a crash. If a vehicle exhibits the recall condition described, the customer may be made aware of the issue by a warning tone and a seat belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
Timeline of Events
In August 2018, DAG launched initial investigations based on a single incident reported from its production plant regarding a vehicle exhibiting the described issue during an end of line test. Subsequently, DAG and the responsible supplier’s joint analysis identified a deviation in the production of the switch inside the seatbelt buckle as the root cause.
In October 2018, DAG reviewed logistics documents together with the relevant suppliers and sub-suppliers to determine which potentially affected batches of seatbelt buckles had been delivered to DAG. Based on the results, potentially affected vehicles were identified, and the voluntary recall was issued.
The Solution
As a precautionary measure an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the relevant seatbelt buckles in the affected vehicles. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckles, free of charge. An interim letter will be mailed beginning January 25, 2019 to notify owners of the issue. A second letter will be mailed once remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-839.
