Mercedes-Benz Vito Recall R/2008/160: Airbag May Not Fully Inflate, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 3 Mar 2009
- Launched
- 3
- vehicles in the UK
- C168
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Mercedes-Benz recalled Vito vehicles. Due to a faulty aluminium housing the front passenger airbags may not deploy when required. The dealer will replace the subject airbags. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Due to a faulty aluminium housing the front passenger airbags may not deploy when required. On deployment the inner wall of the container may break resulting in the airbag failing to fully inflate and parts possibly dispersing into the vehicle.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: AIRBAG MAY NOT FULLY INFLATE Defect: It has been identified that due to a faulty aluminium housing the front passenger airbags may not deploy when required. On deployment the inner wall of the container may break resulting in the airbag failing to fully inflate and parts possibly dispersing into the vehicle. Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the subject airbags replaced.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in the airbag failing to fully inflate and parts possibly dispersing into the vehicle.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the subject airbags.
Are You Affected?
Vito may be included. Mercedes-Benz estimates 3 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Mercedes-Benz, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Mercedes-Benz.
- Book with any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer, quoting the campaign code C168 or the DVSA reference R/2008/160. See how to get a Mercedes-Benz recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VitoCheck driver's airbag replace if necessary | Urgent | R/2025/239 | |
| VitoCheck driver's airbag replace if necessary | Urgent | R/2025/238 | |
| VitoConfigurations were written into one or more control units that might not meet specifications | Low | R/2022/244 | |
| VitoVehicles fitted with takata driver airbags equipped which may not function as intended when deployed | Urgent | R/2022/157 | |
| VitoVehicles fitted with takata driver airbags equipped which may not function as intended when deployed | Urgent | R/2022/156 |
This is one of 833 Mercedes-Benz recalls in DVSA’s data. The Mercedes-Benz recall launched before it was R/2008/173 on 2 Mar 2009, for parking brake may fail. The one launched after it was R/2009/011 on 6 Mar 2009, for steering could be impaired. You can also see every Mercedes-Benz recall, all recalls launched in 2009 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2008/160, launched 3 March 2009. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.