CARS.COM
Vehicles Affected: About 495,000 model-year 2014-17 Mercedes-Benz B-Class electric hatchbacks; model-year 2012-18 C-Class, model-year 2012-17 E-Class and model-year 2014-18 CLA-Class cars; and model-year 2015-18 GLA-Class, model-year 2016-18 GLC-Class and model-year 2013-15 GLK-Class SUVs
The Problem: Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler has determined that the affected vehicles have insufficient electrical grounding in certain steering components. In rare instances, if the insufficiently grounded components are exposed to an electrostatic discharge and the steering-column-module clock spring is broken due to wear, an inadvertent deployment of the driver-side airbag could occur, increasing the risk of an injury.
A spokesman said the company is aware of “less than a dozen” confirmed instances in which the problem has occurred.
The company notes that if the vehicle has a broken clock spring, the supplemental restraint system (i.e., airbag) warning light will illuminate and a warning message will display in the instrument cluster. Owners are advised – as with any illumination of the SRS light – to go to a dealer to have the airbag problem diagnosed.
The Fix: Dealers will upgrade the grounding in the steering components.
What Owners Should Do: Mercedes-Benz did not immediately announce an owner notification schedule. Owners can call the automaker at 800-367-6372 for more information.
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