Many luxury car fans choose Mercedes-Benz vehicles if they need powerful engines and sophisticated interiors. For sedan shoppers, it’s hard to beat a Mercedes-Benz C-Class in terms of overall quality. Given its low price and good reliability, it’s also a great value on the used market. However, a Mercedes-Benz can also be a hassle in the long run. Because they are made from premium parts and materials, repairs on luxury vehicles can be expensive.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is also known for having the highest recall rate out of any other car, according to CBS News. In some cases, these recalls can be issued more than once.

The latest Mercedes-Benz recall

The Takata airbag issue has affected many different automakers, causing over 41 million vehicles to be recalled. These airbags were known to send shrapnel flying toward passengers once deployed. The airbags were directly responsible for over 200 injuries and even some fatal accidents.

Even though the problem arose in 2014, Mercedes-Benz didn’t recall any of its affected vehicles until early last year. Almost 300,000 models were affected, including many C-Class models as well as some E-Class and GLK-Class cars. However, just a few weeks ago, another recall was issued for the replacement airbags. 

According to the automaker, the wrong airbags had been used to replace the hazardous Takata airbags. This isn’t the first time a Mercedes-Benz been recalled over faulty airbags. In 2017, a recall was issued for driver’s side airbags that would deploy without warning in many C-Class vehicles. 

In 2018, a recall was issued over a miscalibration with the front passenger airbags. The system couldn’t detect the weight of any passengers or car seats in the front passenger seat. This meant that the passenger side airbags wouldn’t deploy, even during a crash.

Which models are included in the new recall?

Thankfully, only 750 units have been recalled this time around, according to Car Complaints. This recall also only includes Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars from the 2012 model year. The C250, C300, C350, C63 AMG, and all coupe versions of these models are affected.

Dealerships will replace the airbag module free of charge beginning on June 26, 2020. If your vehicle has been serviced for the prior recall, you can call 800-367-6372 to schedule an appointment. If you bought your vehicle used, check its vehicle history report to see if the issue was previously addressed.

The importance of airbags

Cars now come equipped with many advanced features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane assistance. Helpful technology like driver drowsiness warning and rear-seat reminders can contribute to preventing many common accidents. In 2018, a standard backup camera became mandatory for all new vehicles.

As you can see, car safety technology has improved significantly over the past two decades. However, this doesn’t discount how effective airbags can be for saving lives. The IIHS reported that airbags reduced fatalities of some front-seat occupants by 32 percent, while side airbags reduced deaths by up to 52 percent.

Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class still a good car?

The newest C-Class features an opulent interior with synthetic leather seats and room to comfortably accommodate up to five adults. Plenty of technology is also standard, and the infotainment system can be operated with voice commands. The car also comes with some excellent engine choices, the most powerful of which can produce up to 503 hp.

The majority of Mercedes-Benz C-Class vehicles are perfectly safe to drive, and newer models have received very few complaints. The 2020 C-Class even received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. While they may cost more, the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars have had no potentially hazardous recalls to date.