The defect
Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 SLK250 and SLK350 vehicles manufactured October 9, 2012, through November 20, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an occupant classification system (OCS) that may not correctly differentiate between a child seat or a very light person being in the front passenger seat.
The risk
If the OCS incorrectly classifies a very light person as being a child seat, in the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, the system would deactivate the passenger airbag, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side seat cushion including the OCS. The recall began on July 26, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-201-573-0600.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz SLK250 | 2013 |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK350 | 2013 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | AIR BAGS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz SLK250 | 2013 | 8 | 2 |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK350 | 2013 | 0 | 2 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2013
76 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the electrical system; Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. filed 199 campaigns in all.
| 13V640000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V639000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V642000 19 Dec 2013 | Nova Bus |
| 13V635000 18 Dec 2013 | Zero Motorcycles Inc. |
| 13V627000 17 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V589000 22 Nov 2013 | Maserati North America, Inc. |
| 13V570000 15 Nov 2013 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 13V566000 13 Nov 2013 | General Motors LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013