Mercedes Benz Recalls 104,000 Vehicles for Defective Airbag Warning Light
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 104,663 of its 2018-2019 GLC SUVs and 2018 C-Class sedans, coupes and convertibles because of a faulty airbag indicator light. According to a Consumer Reports article, the passenger airbag indicator light may show that the airbag is on even if it is off. As a result, passengers may not be aware that their airbag is not working, raising the risk of injury to passengers. It is not known if any crashes or injuries related to this issue were reported.
Details of the Recall
Documents submitted by the automaker to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that a software error could cause the vehicle’s airbag indicator to show an incorrect status for the passenger airbag. This means that passengers could be led to believe that the airbag is on and will deploy during a crash even when it is not, raising the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
When the recall begins Jan. 2, Mercedes will perform a software update to ensure the airbag light is working correctly at no charge to vehicle owners. If you have questions regarding your vehicle contact Mercedes-Benz USA at 1-800-367-6372. If you are not sure that your vehicle is included in the recall, visit NHTSA’s website and plug your car’s Vehicle Identification Number or VIN. If the recall doesn’t appear, it means that your vehicle currently does not have any open recalls. It is best to check back periodically to see if your vehicle is part of some other recall.
Airbag Defects and Injuries
Recently, millions of vehicles have been recalled for a number of different airbag-related defects. The unprecedented Takata airbag recall involved tens of millions of defective airbag inflators that could explode and expel shrapnel into the vehicle compartment seriously or fatally wounding occupants. There have also been several other recalls involving airbags that fail to deploy or airbags that deploy inadvertently. All these types of airbag defects including those caused by software glitches have the potential to cause serious injuries and fatalities.
If you have been injured as the result of an airbag defect, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the automaker and/or the manufacturer of the airbag and potentially other parties. An experienced auto defect lawyer can help guide you through what can be a complex process and help you secure maximum compensation for your losses.