Mercedes-Benz S Class Recall R/2016/270: Extended Seat Belt May Malfunction And Reduce Effectiveness Of Shoulder Belt, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 15 Dec 2016
- Launched
- 116
- vehicles in the UK
- SRPC1625
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Mercedes-Benz recalled S Class vehicles built between 1 February 2015 and 1 March 2016. The rear seatbelt extender may not retract as intended due to an issue with the individual friction conditions experienced by the belt extender which have not be programmed into the control unit. The recall notice describes the fix as: recode the rear control unit on the vehicle. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The rear seatbelt extender may not retract as intended due to an issue with the individual friction conditions experienced by the belt extender which have not be programmed into the control unit. Should the pretensioners deploy during a collision then there is the potential that the extender may fail and break leaving broken edges which can cause a risk of a serious injury or higher occupant loading.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: EXTENDED SEAT BELT MAY MALFUNCTION AND REDUCE EFFECTIVENESS OF SHOULDER BELT Defect: It has been identified that the rear seatbelt extender may not retract as intended due to an issue with the individual friction conditions experienced by the belt extender which have not be programmed into the control unit. Should the pretensioners deploy during a collision then there is the potential that the extender may fail and break leaving broken edges which can cause a risk of a serious injury or higher occupant loading. Remedy: Recall all affected vehicles and recode the rear control unit on the vehicle.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause a risk of a serious injury or higher occupant loading.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: recode the rear control unit on the vehicle.
Are You Affected?
S Class built between 1 February 2015 and 1 March 2016 may be included. Mercedes-Benz estimates 116 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 SRPC1625 or the DVSA reference R/2016/270. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S ClassWindshield bonding | Low | R/2026/191 | |
| AMG GT, GLC, S Class, SLProcessor Starter/Generator | Urgent | R/2025/124 | |
| AMG GT, C Class, CLE, E Class and 5 moreSystem protection | Low | R/2024/130 | |
| A Class, C Class, CLA(117), GLA and 2 moreOn affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair | Low | R/2024/024 | |
| S ClassA 12V ground connection bolt in the boot might not meet specifications | Low | R/2023/259 |
This is one of 833 Mercedes-Benz recalls in DVSA’s data. The Mercedes-Benz recall launched before it was R/2016/271 on 14 Dec 2016, for rear seat backrest may collapse in a collision. The one launched after it was R/2016/275 on 15 Dec 2016, for risk of fire. You can also see every Mercedes-Benz recall, all recalls launched in 2016 and seat belt recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/270, launched 15 December 2016. 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.