Mercedes-Benz recalls vehicles due to faulty child restraint system

Jacksonville, FL – September 4, 2021 – Daimler (NASDAQ:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, has announced a recall for approximately 4,917 vehicles because their child seats may become unsecured, heightening the risk of an injury.

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT53 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS450
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550 

The affected part is the rear seat seat belt with multiple part numbers,  including A21386007853D53 and A21386007857P84.

Summary

The rear seat belt in these cars have two retractors, which are both responsible for locking up the seat belt when there is an accident to immobilize the occupant and prevent injuries. 

One of them, the so-called automatic locking retractor (ALR), prevents the seat belt from moving once the “seat belt tongue is inserted into the buckle.”  The movement limitation makes ALR perfect for securing children in the back seat. 

In recalled vehicles, however, due to faulty parts, the ALR can malfunction and deactivate early.

Risks

A seat belt retractor that does not function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash. The risk is lower when parents opt to use the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system instead of the seat belt to “secure child restraint seats.”

Warning signs

Vehicle users who choose to use the seat belt instead of the LATCH system to secure a child restraint seat will notice a clicking noise that will occur when the ALR function is activated but stops “before the seat belt webbing is completely retracted.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

In May, over 340,000 Mercedes vehicles were recalled for faulty rearview cameras that may display a blank image or restart when backing up, as reported. Earlier that month, 17,800 Mercedes cars  – including the 2021 G550 and the 2021 AMG G63 – were recalled out of concern that their rear doors may open while in motion, upping the risk that passengers may fall out of the car, as reported.

Repair

Dealers will replace the rear seat belts free of charge. Owners were set to have received a notification via mail on August 24, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Close to 5,000 cars are part of this Mercedes-Benz recall. To check if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerMercedes-Benz recalls vehicles due to faulty child restraint system