The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·13V542000·Announced 2013-11-01

Mercedes-Benz Recalls 2013 SL Models Due to Passenger Air Bag Defect

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 130 model year 2013 SL63, SL550, and SL65 vehicles because the occupant classification system may fail to detect very light passengers, potentially disabling the side air bag.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a safety system defect (air bag) that increases the risk of injury in a crash, but the source text does not report any actual injuries or fatalities, fitting the 'High' criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. is recalling certain model year 2013 SL63, SL550, and SL65 vehicles manufactured between January 16, 2013, and April 30, 2013. The recall affects 130 vehicles equipped with an occupant classification system (OCS) that may not detect a very light person sitting in the front passenger seat.

If the OCS fails to detect a very light person, the passenger side air bag would be turned off. In the event of a crash necessitating side air bag deployment, the passenger would be at an increased risk of injury.

Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side seat cushion including the OCS. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-201-573-0600 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
MERCEDES-BENZ SL65, SL63, SL550
Brand
MERCEDES-BENZ
Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Category
Vehicle — Passenger Cars
Hazard
Affected units
130

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • SL65
  • SL63
  • SL550

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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