Mercedes-Benz A Class, C Class, E Class And 2 More Recall R/2018/168: Driver's Airbag Gas Generator Housing Failure During Deployment, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 14 Aug 2018
- Launched
- 421
- vehicles in the UK
- SRPC1822
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Mercedes-Benz recalled A Class, C Class, E Class and 2 more vehicles built between 1 January 2018 and 30 March 2018. Drivers airbags with potentially faulty gas generator housing material may have been installed in vehicles of model series 156 176 246 205 238 & 253. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles replace the driver,s airbag. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Drivers airbags with potentially faulty gas generator housing material may have been installed in vehicles of model series 156 176 246 205 238 & 253. If the material of the gas generator housing fails during airbag deployment in the event of a crash the airbag system would possibly no longer have a restraint effect. In addition separating parts could enter the passenger compartment. This could lead to an increased risk of injury.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: DRIVER'S AIRBAG GAS GENERATOR HOUSING FAILURE DURING DEPLOYMENT Defect: On affected vehicles it has been determined that drivers airbags with potentially faulty gas generator housing material may have been installed in vehicles of model series 156 176 246 205 238 & 253. If the material of the gas generator housing fails during airbag deployment in the event of a crash the airbag system would possibly no longer have a restraint effect. In addition separating parts could enter the passenger compartment. This could lead to an increased risk of injury. Remedy: On affected vehicles replace the driver�s airbag
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could lead to an increased risk of injury.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles replace the driver,s airbag.
Are You Affected?
A Class, C Class, E Class and 2 more built between 1 January 2018 and 30 March 2018 may be included. Mercedes-Benz estimates 421 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 SRPC1822 or the DVSA reference R/2018/168. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLS, E Class, GLCDrive shaft joint | Low | R/2026/148 | |
| E ClassCoolant pump control software | Low | R/2026/201 | |
| A ClassInterior door handle release | Book soon | R/2026/098 | |
| E ClassRouting of transmission wiring harness | Book soon | R/2025/534 | |
| EQA, GLAShort-range sensor front | Low | R/2025/439 |
This is one of 833 Mercedes-Benz recalls in DVSA’s data. The Mercedes-Benz recall launched before it was R/2018/158 on 14 Aug 2018, for laser welding between backrest rail and backrest metal fitting of front seats may not meet…. The one launched after it was R/2018/230 on 15 Aug 2018, for front panel and rear fixed section of panoramic glass sunroof may not be bonded correctly. You can also see every Mercedes-Benz recall, the Mercedes-Benz C Class recall history, all recalls launched in 2018 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/168, launched 14 August 2018. 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.