Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 400,000 of its most popular family and executive cars in the UK over an short-circuit electrical fault that can cause airbags to go off prematurely when the steering wheel is turned.
The fault affects the top-selling A, B, C and E class models as well as the CLA, GLA and GLC coupes and sports utility vehicles from the upmarket German car-maker built between November 2011 and July 2017.
Mercedes-Benz said there had been ‘around 30’ incidents of airbags going off prematurely worldwide, including in Germany and the US said there had been no fatalities nor serious injuries.
It also stressed that the recall is not linked to the exploding Takata airbag scandal.
Mercedes is recalling 400,000 cars in the UK over concerns about a steering column fault
The fault is centred around the ‘clock spring’ in the steerng column which keeps wires together.
Some of these clock springs are failing. So when the driver turns the steering wheel, some wires are failing to earth properly. The problem is causing wires to ‘short circuit’ or create an’electrical discharge’ which is triggering the air-bags prematurely.
A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz in the ULK said: ‘We are recalling certain A, B, C, and E-Class, and CLA, GLA, and GLC, built between November 2011 and July 2017.’
Mercedes-Benz explained: ‘If the steering column module clock spring is broken, the driver airbag warning light will be displayed in the instrument cluster, as well as a red airbag warning lamp.
‘In rare circumstances, if the clock spring is broken and the wiring components are not sufficiently earthed this could lead to an electrostatic discharge which could inadvertently deploy the driver’s airbag.’
The German car maker said: ‘Cars are safe to drive under normal operating conditions.’
But it warned: ‘If the airbag warning light comes on then customers should call Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance, or contact their nearest retailer. ‘
Mercedes-Benz said its customers will be contacted by by the firm ‘should their car be one of those affected by the recall’.
The will fix take ‘around one hour’ and the work will be performed free of charge, it said.
The firm added: ‘This is not related to any Takata recall.’