Daimler Chrysler has recalled 495,000 Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs in the U.S. and more abroad. The problem is with the airbags, which can go off unexpectedly.
Insufficient grounding of the steering components, along with a broken clock spring, can result in an unexpected deployment of the driver’s side front airbag when there is an electrostatic discharge, the company told Reuters.
According to the company, this issue is unrelated to the worldwide recall of Takata airbag inflators.
A U.S. spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said there have been “a handful of instances where drivers suffered minor abrasions or bruises” due to the inadvertent deployment of the airbags. The company says that no deaths have been reported.
The recall involves vehicles from the model years 2012-2018:
- A-Class
- B-Class
- C-Class
- E-Class
- CLA
- GLA SUVs
- GLC SUVs
Owners and lessees of the affected vehicles should contact a Mercedes-Benz dealership right away. Dealers will add new grounding to the steering components as part of the fix for the problem.
The recall also involves an estimated 76,000 vehicles sold in Canada, 400,000 vehicles sold in Britain, and several hundred thousand sold in Germany, according to the company. Daimler Chrysler did not have a worldwide total at the time Reuters published its story.
Don’t delay. Act on recalled vehicles and parts immediately
In the past few years, we’ve seen a large number of recalls involving defective motor vehicles and auto parts, and you may have received more than one recall notice or service advisory. Some people are experiencing something akin to “recall fatigue,” where the sheer number of recalls seems overwhelming. Or, as with the Takata airbag inflator recall, there may be a shortage of replacement parts available, leading to delays.
Delaying a recall fix is a mistake. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, the reason is that the company or federal regulators have determined there is a real and serious risk of injury or death from the faulty product.
If you have received a recall notice about your vehicle, it may be tempting to put it aside and hope for the best. You won’t feel that way if the defect causes an injury to yourself or someone you love.
If you or a loved one has been injured and you suspect a faulty product, don’t hesitate to ask for legal help. Many firms, including McGinn, Carpenter, Montoya & Love, are happy to provide a free initial consultation so you can get answers to your questions and protect your legal rights.
