The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY. IF THE PLASTIC COVER IS LOOSE DURING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE BUCKLE TONGUE TO THE LATCH MECHANISM, THE BUCKLE COULD UNLATCH.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES. IF EITHER THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class | 1998, 1999 |
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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 M-Class | 1998 | 5 | 4 |
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class | 1999 | 18 | 4 |
Other seat belts recalls in 1999
10 of the 392 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1999 concerned the seat belts; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC. filed 61 campaigns in all.
| 99V308000 2 Nov 1999 | COLLINS BUS CORPORATION |
| 99V280000 20 Oct 1999 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 99V269000 12 Oct 1999 | TIARA MOTOR COACH DIVISION |
| 99V250000 20 Sept 1999 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 99V266000 7 Sept 1999 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 99V221000 11 Aug 1999 | PAN-WIT, INC. |
| 99V155000 28 Jun 1999 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
| 99V118000 12 May 1999 | SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1999