Mercedes is recalling approximately 126,000 of its popular high end luxury cars to address a safety issue concerning the vehicles airbags. Mercedes released information this week stating that the airbags could possibly malfunction. It is possible for the airbags to deploy without being involved in a crash and in other cases airbags have not deployed when involved in a crash. The company has reported that they are not aware of any injuries or deaths related to the defective airbags.
The company reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that they were aware of 3 unintended deployments of airbags but attributed the events to special circumstances pertaining to the vehicles involved. Two of the vehicles had been in a flood and the third had been involved in a previous accident. After Mercedes became aware of a fourth deployment, the company decided to take action and issue a recall.
The malfunction is being attributed to corrosion of the air bag control unit.
Affected models are listed here:
- 2008-2009 C-300
- 2008-2009 C-350
- 2008-2009 C-63 models
- 2010 GLK-350 4-Matic
Mercedes is certainly not the only auto manufacturer with active airbag recalls in the United States.
Fiat Chrysler recalled over 350,000 of its vehicles worldwide earlier this month for faulty airbags. The company reports that the airbags may deploy inadvertently. The defective airbags have caused at least seven injuries to occupants of the vehicles.
Affected vehicles are listed here:
- 2003 Jeep Liberty
- 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Owners of the vehicles will have the occupant restraint module and impact sensors repaired and/or replaced for free. The company reports that these components are not operating properly and have been responsible for the faulty airbag deployment.
And, of course, over 19 million vehicles are currently involved in the Takata Airbag Recall. This is the largest automobile safety recall in the US history. The NHSTA made history of its own this week when they issued civil penalties and fined the airbag manufacturer 200 million dollars for failing to issue a safety recall in a timely manner.
If you are unsure if your vehicle is included in the recall, use the NHSTA’s VIN lookup tool by clicking here safercar.gov/VIN.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or injured in a vehicle accident that involved airbag malfunction, call Roanoke Injury Lawyer Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm today. (540) 777-4900. Free consultations are available.
