Takata Airbag Recall - Mercedes-Benz

Compulsory Takata Airbag Recall

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific and Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia Pacific are conducting a compulsory safety recall for certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags in accordance with the Recall Notice issued by the Assistant Minister to the Treasure Hon. Michael Sukkar.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Australia ARE NOT fitted with "Alpha" Takata airbags, which are the high-risk inflators you may have heard about in the media.

We will continue working with the ACCC on the recall rollout schedule and timelines mandated by the compulsory Recall Notice. The affected airbags will be replaced in stages, as the replacement airbags are currently in production. The staged recall is designed to prioritise the oldest vehicles and those located in High Humidity/High Temperature areas Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. This will ensure an orderly and responsible use of parts availability and give priority to those vehicles that may have an increased degree of risk. If your vehicle is included in the compulsory recall then your vehicle’s affected Takata airbag inflators will be replaced as part of a staged approach according to vehicle age and location factors.

Specific details of the staged approach with regard to the Priority Factors from the Recall Notice of the affected vehicles can be found in the links below, for the Recall Initiation Schedule and Recall and Replacement Timetable.

To check the replacement timetable, initiation schedule, the quarterly completion schedule, or news update, please click on the relevant link below:

If you have a hearing or speech impairment requiring assistance please utilise the Australian Government National Relay Services via internet-relay.nrscall.gov.au or please email takata_au@mercedes-benz.com.

1300 659 307 131450

FAQ

Find my VIN

What vehicle models and year range are affected?

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The table below shows which models and the year range affected by this recall:

	Production Year	Model Year
ML (164)	2008 - 2011	2009 - 2011
GL (164)	2008 - 2012	2009 - 2012
R-class (251)	2008 - 2012	2009 - 2013
A-class (169)	2005 - 2010	2005 - 2010
SLK (171)	2006 - 2008	2007 - 2008
SLS (197)	2009 - 2014	2011 - 2014
C-class (204) coupe	2011 - 2015	2012 - 2015
C-class (204) station wagon	2007 - 2014	2008 - 2014
C-class (204) sedan	2007 - 2014	2008 - 2014
E-class (207) convertible	2009 - 2017	2010 - 2017
E-class (207) coupe	2009 - 2017	2010 - 2017
E-class (212) station wagon	2009 - 2011	2010 - 2011
E-class (212) sedan	2008 - 2011	2010 - 2011
G 300 CDI Professional (461)	2015 - 2018	2015 - 2018
Sprinter (906) Passenger variants (campervans and motorhomes)	2006 - 2017	2006 - 2017
Vito/Valente/Viano (639) Passenger variants	2006 - 2014	2006 - 2014

Why does the VIN search result show a different model year to what I expected?

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The VIN search result shows the “model year” of your vehicle. It is possible that your vehicle was produced in a different year to the model year – this is known as the “production year”. However, the VIN (and not the model year or production year) will ultimately determine whether your vehicle is affected by the recall.

How do I locate the VIN on my vehicle?

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Vehicle Identification plate and number location

Passenger Cars

Open the front right-hand (drivers) door. You will see the vehicle identification plate ①.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) will be 17 character and starts with WD.

OR

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be located on your latest vehicle registration papers.

All Sprinter 906 Models

The vehicle identification number is on the wait rail in the engine compartment or on the base of the driver's seat.

All Vito 639 Models

The vehicle identification plate, with information about the permissible weights, is located in the door frame of the driver's door ①.

How will owners be contacted?

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Owners will be sent a letter to their postal address. The address used will be that listed in information we obtain from state or territory registration authorities or our own owner data. In order for us to be able to contact you if and when your vehicle may need to be recalled, we strongly encourage you to update your contact details directly with us here and with your state or territory registration authority.

Can I continue to drive my vehicle?

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Yes, there are no ‘Alpha airbags’ in any Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Australia however, if and when you receive a letter asking you to have this Recall performed by an authorised Mercedes-Benz retailer, please contact the retailer as soon as possible to book your vehicle in for the airbag to be replaced. If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please inform all other drivers of this important information.

Do I have to wait for a recall repair letter before I can have my vehicle fixed for this recall?

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Yes. We are in the process of obtaining the necessary parts to launch the recall. Once they are available, you will be sent a letter asking you to schedule an appointment with your authorised Mercedes-Benz retailer to perform the repair.

Are there concerns with other airbags in the vehicle?

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No. This condition only applies to the frontal driver and/or passenger airbag inflator.

Other Takata airbags in the vehicle are not affected by this condition and will not be subject to this recall and replacement.

How long does this replacement take?

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We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause and thank you in advance for your active participation in finalising the matter.

Our Authorised Retailers will make every effort to meet your appointment preference to minimize any inconvenience this unscheduled workshop visit may cause. Should you require alternative transport or arrangements to be made to enable the completion of this recall please discuss these with the Retailer when scheduling your appointment.

In cases where your vehicle only requires the replacement of the driver’s airbag, the repair measure should take approximately one hour, the Retailer will make every endeavour to perform the repair while you wait.

Why are other models not included?

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Other models are not included because this recall pertains specifically to vehicles equipped with certain types of Takata airbag inflators.

What costs will be incurred by the customer?

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The airbag replacement will be conducted free of charge to customers.

How do I find further information or raise a concern about this recall?

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If you have any concerns relating to this recall, you can contact us on 1300 659 307 between 8.30am and 5.00pm or email takata_au@mercedes-benz.com.

Alternatively you can contact the ACCC on www.accc.gov.au/ or 1300 302 502 between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

What if my vehicle has had a frontal airbag replaced following a collision or other incident that any replacement airbag installed in the vehicle may be faulty and require replacement?

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The replaced airbag in your vehicle may also be faulty and it could kill or seriously injure you and other people and require replacement, you MUST contact us on 1300 659 307 between 8.30am and 5.00pm, or email takata_au@mercedes-benz.com, or contact your closest authorized retailer to arrange for the airbag to be checked.

Why are not all affected vehicles being recalled at once to have the affected airbag inflators replaced?

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Mercedes-Benz is recalling affected vehicles based on the Priority Factors as per the recall notice which are :

The geographical location of the vehicle in Australia, with first priority given to vehicles currently registered in areas of high heat and humidity;
The age of the vehicle, with first priority given to older vehicles, and particularly those that are older than 6 years,
The location of the affected Takata airbag inflator in the vehicle, with first priority given to the driver side inflator, and
The availability of parts for the models affected from the supplier of the new airbag inflators

What is the impact of the COVID-19 situation on the compulsory Takata airbag recall?

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As various states and territories throughout Australia have specific measures in place to contain the transmission of the virus, it is recommended to check the directions and advice provided by your local health authorities prior to taking your vehicle to an authorised Mercedes-Benz Retailer for the airbag replacement.

We are not aware of any specific government directions that prohibit the replacement of airbags as completion of safety recalls is considered essential to ensure the ongoing health and safety of motorists and the public however, you should check the relevant directions and advice provided by your local health authorities.

All authorised Mercedes-Benz Retailers that are facilitating the airbag replacements have taken measures to ensure they provide a safe environment for customers and employees.

Can I have my Takata airbags replaced during stage 4 restrictions in Victoria?

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From 6pm on Sunday 2 August, Stage 4 restrictions apply in metropolitan Melbourne. Further information regarding the restrictions can be found on the Victorian Government – Department of Health and Human Services website.

Information currently available suggests that motor vehicle repairs and servicing may be conducted if it is considered essential and critical. Safety recalls, including in this instance the replacement of defective Takata airbags, is an essential and critical repair that is required to ensure the ongoing health and safety of motorist and the public.

Consumers affected by the stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne who wish to have the airbags in their vehicle replaced must ensure they abide by all relevant government directions at all times.

Stage 3 restrictions apply to all other areas outside of metropolitan Melbourne. More information regarding stage 3 restrictions can be found on the Victorian Government – Department of Health and Human Services website.