Mercedes recalls C-Class over airbag fault

MERCEDES-BENZ has ordered a safety recall for more than 7800 previous-generation C-Class cars in Australia to rectify a possible airbag fault that could set off the safety devices without obvious cause.

The company found corrosion in some restraint system control units – the device that controls the airbag activation – that could potentially cause them to fail, deactivating the airbags.

Typically, the fault should light up the SRS (supplementary restraint system) warning light on the dash.

However, Mercedes adds that in “rare cases”, the fault could set off “various restraint system components” without obvious cause, with the risk of accident or injury.

Cars affected by the recall are W204 C-Class variants sold in Australia between March 1 2006 and December 31 2008.

According to Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific, it has had no reports of the problem in Australia.

Mercedes is writing to all owners to ask them to book their car in to their Mercedes-Benz dealership for rectification. Remedial work will be completed at not cost to the owner.

Last year, Mercedes recalled about 800 current-model four-cylinder W205 C-Class cars over a loose fuel pump problem.