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Mercedes-Benz USA Recalling Several 2008-2010 Models for Possible Faulty Airbags

The airbag problems seem to be spreading throughout the automotive industry just like the emissions issues do with the Volkswagen range. Next on the list are several 2008 to 2010 Mercedes-Benz models.
Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC 1 photo
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the airbag control unit on certain Mercedes-Benz models is prone to corroding due to a manufacturing error, which in turn can cause the safety devices to malfunction. In other words, airbags can sometimes deploy for no reason - this can lead to driver disorientation or even shock, increasing the chance of an accident - or they may not deploy at all in case of a collision, which basically makes the car’s safety ratings totally irrelevant and substantially increases the risk of injury for the occupants.

The list of vehicles affected includes certain 2008-2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sedans, C300 Sedans 4MATIC, C63 AMG sports sedans and C350 sedans. At the same time, there are also two Mercedes-Benz SUVs involved, namely some 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4MATIC vehicles.

If your car could be among those affected, there are two ways you can go about the problem. The first one is this: Mercedes-Benz USA will notify the owners of all the faulty vehicles and each local dealer will inspect the car and its airbag control unit, replacing it as necessary free of charge. However, an exact schedule of these notifications has not yet been provided, so nobody knows just how long this might take.

Since it’s a very serious problem that could potentially endanger the lives of all the cars’ occupants, maybe the second course of action is more suitable: owners can take matters in their own hands and contact Mercedes-Benz USA customer service directly and ask whether their car is affected. Then, they can schedule a visit to the workshop themselves.

At the same time, any worried parties can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov.
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About the author: Vlad Mitrache
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"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
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