Mercedes-Benz C-Class Convertibles Recalled Because Seat Belts Might Not Fully Retract
24,000 vehicles need an inspection and possible adjustment by the dealer
Mercedes-Benz C-Class convertibles from the 2017 to 2021 model years are being recalled because the seat belts might not comply with federal Occupant Crash Protection standards.
The problem is that the front seat belts might not fully retract to their stowed position because of the geometry of the front seat belt retractor. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents show that the safety concern is that some seat occupants may find this an inconvenience and fail to use the seat belt at all, which increases the risk of injury during a crash. Occupants will not receive any advance warning of the retractor’s failure.
This recall impacts certain C-Class Cabriolets that are equipped with the Pre-Safe system. A total of 24,550 vehicles are potentially affected by this recall. Owners will be notified in mid-March.
Mercedes-Benz changed the design of the foam used in the retractor as of July 20, 2020, which fixed the issue. C-Class vehicles built after this date aren’t affected by this problem.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 2017 to 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 and 2017 to 2020 AMC C43 and AMG C63 vehicles.
The problem: The front seat belt might not fully retract.
The fix: Dealerships will check the retraction function of the front seat belts and, if necessary, adjust the damping foam within the B-pillars, free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA customer service can be reached at 800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign number: 21V032000.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have one. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.
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