Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for engineering and safety innovation, but even premium manufacturers issue recalls from time to time.
This guide explains what a vehicle recall is, covers Mercedes-Benz’s latest UK recall activity, and shows you how to check whether your car is affected by registration number or VIN.
Recall issues can range from software updates and wiring checks to serious safety concerns like
airbag faults and loose wheel bolts, so know how to respond before one lands on your doormat.
What Is a Vehicle Recall?
A vehicle recall is issued when a manufacturer finds a fault that could impact a car’s safety, performance or legal compliance.
Some recalls cover minor problems like software updates or wiring routing checks. Others involve more serious safety-related issues such as airbags, brakes, seat belts, steering or wheel fixings. The severity of the fault will determine how quickly you need to act.
Though you should take all recalls seriously, in most cases you can continue driving your car until the issue is addressed. Once notified, simply book in with an authorised Mercedes-Benz retailer to have the fault fixed free of charge.
Stop-drive recalls are the exception to this rule. If your car manufacturer contacts you with a
stop-drive recall, you must cease driving immediately. Ignoring this warning is unsafe, and it can also result in fines and legal action.
In the UK, the
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) manages recall oversight. Mercedes-Benz, however, is responsible for informing drivers and performing the required repairs through its service partners.
Mercedes-Benz 2026 Car Recalls
Mercedes-Benz’s 2026 UK recall activity so far has been made up of smaller, build-specific campaigns rather than one large model-wide recall. The ones below are recorded against UK vehicles in DVSA data.
| Recall
| Issued
| UK vehicles
| Issue
|
|---|
| G-Class (electric) – R/2026/140
| 15/05/2026
| 230
| Wheel bolts may not meet requirements
|
| E-Class AMG – R/2025/534
| 19/01/2026
| 5
| Transmission wiring harness routing
|
| CLA (174) – R/2025/533
| 06/01/2026
| 22
| Front seat and belt buckle bolting
|
| CLA (178) – R/2025/556
| 05/01/2026
| 82
| 48V wiring harness variant
|
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Wheel Bolt Recall
Mercedes-Benz has recalled 230 fully electric G-Class models (465 platform) built between 11 July 2024 and 22 August 2025 after finding that the wheel bolts might not meet requirements.
Wheel bolts are what keep each wheel securely fixed to the hub, so this is one to take seriously. Affected cars will have the wheel bolts replaced free of charge by a Mercedes-Benz service partner.
Separately, Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) published a wheel bolt recall covering 2,712 vehicles in Germany, across 26 Mercedes-Benz models built between November 2022 and December 2025. In these cases, the bolts were not tightened to the specified torque during production. Whether a particular UK car is included depends on its VIN, so run yours through the checkers below to check.
If you are ever unsure about your wheels, our
tyre safety advice is a good place to start, and have your wheels and tyres looked over whenever your car is in for a service.
Mercedes-Benz CLA January 2026 Recalls
Two small recalls were issued for the CLA in the first week of January 2026.
The first covers 82 CLA models (178 platform) with the 4-cylinder petrol engine, built between 25 November and 17 December 2025. Mercedes-Benz found that the 48V wiring harness might not meet specifications, and service partners will check the harness and rework it if necessary.
The second covers 22 CLA models (174 platform) built between 23 May and 30 July 2025, where the bolting of the front seats and/or belt buckles might not meet specifications. The bolting will be reworked free of charge.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG Recall
A very small recall issued on 19 January 2026 affects just five E-Class AMG models (214 platform) with four-wheel drive, built between 5 September 2024 and 27 January 2025.
As a precaution, Mercedes-Benz will check the routing of the transmission wiring harness and rework it if needed.
Mercedes-Benz 2025 Car Recalls
Mercedes-Benz issued a number of recalls in 2025, with the CLA and A-Class featuring heavily. Here’s a breakdown of the key ones.
A-Class and CLA Rear Brake Hose Recall (April 2025)
In April 2025, Mercedes-Benz recalled 347 UK vehicles, made up of 93 A-Class (177 platform) and 254 CLA (118 platform) models built between February and March 2024. The length of the rear axle brake hoses might not have met specifications.
Service partners will check the brake hoses and replace them if necessary.
CLA December 2025 Recalls
A group of CLA recalls was issued on 10 December 2025, covering window airbag fabric, window airbag wiring harness routing, a seat belt buckle mechanism fault and a driving assistance system software update.
The window airbag fabric recall affected 16 CLA models (174 platform) built in August 2025, with the window airbags being replaced. The driving assistance recall is fixed with a software update, while the wiring harness will be checked and reworked if needed and the seat belt buckles replaced.
Mercedes-Benz Notable Past Recalls
2022 Brake Booster Stop-Drive Recall (ML, GL and R-Class)
One of the most significant recalls in recent years came in 2022, when Mercedes-Benz recalled 993,407 vehicles worldwide over a brake booster that could suffer ‘advanced corrosion’. The ML and GL SUVs and the R-Class people carrier, sold between 2004 and 2015, were affected, and owners were asked not to drive their cars until they had been inspected.
2017 Airbag Recall
In 2017, Mercedes-Benz announced it would recall around 400,000 vehicles in the UK over a potential airbag fault. The recall covered A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, CLA, GLA and GLC models produced between November 2011 and July 2017, and the fix was reported to take around an hour.
Most Common Mercedes-Benz Recall Themes
Looking across the long history of Mercedes-Benz recalls recorded by the DVSA, a handful of themes come up again and again.
| Most common themes
| Also seen regularly
|
|---|
| Electrical faults
| Tyres and wheels
|
| Software updates
| Brakes
|
| Airbags
| Seat belts
|
| Engine faults
| Fuel leaks
|
| Stalling or loss of power
| Fire risk
|
| Steering
| Suspension
|
Which Mercedes-Benz Models Are Being Recalled?
Based on the number of recalls recorded against each model line, these are the five most recalled Mercedes-Benz cars in the UK.
| Model
| Recalls on record
| Examples of recall issues
|
|---|
| C-Class
| 116
| Front passenger airbag, tyre pressure label, turbocharger oil feed
|
| E-Class
| 97
| Transmission wiring harness, hands-off detection
|
| GLC
| 66
| Wheel and brake bleed bolt tightening, turbocharger oil feed
|
| S-Class
| 63
| 12V ground connection bolt, turbocharger oil feed
|
| A-Class
| 49
| Tyre load requirements, rear brake hoses, rear wheel carrier
|
Recall counts based on DVSA recall records compiled by vehicle-recall.co.uk. A high count reflects how long and how widely a model has been sold, not necessarily poor reliability.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Recalls
As one of the best-selling Mercedes-Benz models in the UK, the C-Class has the highest number of recalls on record. Past campaigns include a front passenger airbag inflation issue on cars built in 2021 and 2022, an incorrect tyre pressure label on some vehicles in 2022 and turbocharger oil feed checks in 2020.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Recalls
The E-Class has a long recall history, from driver assistance ‘hands-off detection’ issues in 2022 to the recent AMG transmission wiring harness check.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Recalls
The GLC is hugely popular as a family SUV, and its recalls include a 2023 campaign where wheel and brake bleed bolts might not have been tightened correctly, plus turbocharger oil feed checks in 2020.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Recalls
The flagship S-Class has seen recalls ranging from a 12V ground connection bolt in the boot to turbocharger oil feed checks.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Recalls
The A-Class has seen recalls for tyres that might not meet load requirements (2023), a rear wheel carrier manufactured outside specification (2019) and the 2025 rear brake hose check. If you drive an A-Class, check by registration number whichever year it was built.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Vito Van Recalls
Mercedes-Benz vans are covered by the same recall system. The Sprinter is the most recalled model in Mercedes-Benz UK’s van records, with 45 recalls on record, so if you run a Sprinter or Vito for work, check each vehicle by registration number or VIN.
How Do I Know If My Mercedes-Benz Has a Recall?
If you’re unsure whether your Mercedes-Benz has an outstanding recall, checking its status is quick and straightforward.
Mercedes-Benz UK Official Recall Checker: Enter your 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to see any open recalls linked specifically to your car.
GOV.UK Recall Checker: Use the official government tool to search by your vehicle registration (number plate). This tool displays active recall notices recorded against your car by the DVSA.
Your VIN can be found on your V5C logbook, at the base of the windscreen, or on the driver’s door pillar.
You can also contact an authorised Mercedes-Benz retailer, who can run your VIN through the manufacturer’s system. This can reveal service campaigns and technical bulletins that may not appear on the DVSA system.
If your Mercedes-Benz is listed under a recall, it is important to follow the instructions provided and arrange repairs as soon as possible. All safety recall work is carried out free of charge by authorised Mercedes-Benz service partners.
What To Do Next
Don’t panic: Recalls are often issued as a preventative fix to ensure long-term safety.
Check your mail: Mercedes-Benz will write to the registered keeper of affected vehicles. You’ll usually just need to book a free repair at an authorised retailer. If you’ve moved house or bought your car second-hand, don’t wait on the post – run your registration through the checkers above.
Watch for ‘Stop-Drive’ notices: If the defect is serious, do not drive the car. Contact your Mercedes-Benz retailer for advice on getting it to the workshop safely.
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz? Run the registration or VIN through the checkers above before you buy. It’s illegal for a dealer to sell a car with a known outstanding safety recall, but this rule doesn’t apply to private sellers, so check yourself either way.
Drive with peace of mind: After the free fix – whether it’s a part replacement or a software update – your recall record is updated, and you’re good to go.
Vehicle recalls help address urgent safety concerns, but routine maintenance is key to keeping your car in good condition year-round. With
tyres,
servicing and
MOTs all in one place, Blackcircles makes it easier to stay on top of essential car care.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mercedes-Benz Recalls
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz has an active recall in the UK?
Enter your registration number into the GOV.UK recall checker, or use your 17-character VIN in the Mercedes-Benz UK recall checker or with an authorised retailer.
Checking by registration number is the quickest option, and you don’t need to wait for a letter to arrive.
Can I check Mercedes-Benz recalls using just my reg number?
Yes. The GOV.UK recall checker works from your registration number alone and will show any outstanding recalls recorded against your car, whether it’s an A-Class, C-Class, GLC or any other model.
Are Mercedes-Benz recalls free to fix?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are carried out free of charge by authorised Mercedes-Benz service partners, even if your car is out of warranty.
Recalls stay attached to the car rather than the original owner, so a second or third owner can still get the work done at no cost.
Can I still drive my Mercedes-Benz if it has an outstanding recall?
In most cases, yes, until the repair is done. The exception is a stop-drive recall, where you must stop driving immediately and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Always follow the guidance in your recall letter or from your retailer.
What happens if I ignore a Mercedes-Benz recall?
Ignoring a recall can increase your accident risk, cause further mechanical damage, complicate an insurance claim and reduce resale value.
Even if a recall is not a stop-drive notice, failing to address a known defect could leave you legally liable if it causes an accident.
Will a Mercedes-Benz recall make my car fail its MOT?
An outstanding recall does not automatically fail an MOT, as testers don’t check the DVSA recall database as part of the test. However, if the underlying fault affects something the MOT does test – brakes, steering or airbags, for example – the vehicle can still fail if that defect is present.
Why haven’t I received a recall letter?
Recall letters go to the address Mercedes-Benz or the DVLA has on file, so they can miss you if you’ve moved house, bought the car second-hand, or your details are out of date.
Rather than waiting on the post, check your registration or VIN directly using the checkers above.
Does the official recall checker show service campaigns as well as safety recalls?
Not always. Service campaigns and technical bulletins may not appear on the DVSA system, so an authorised Mercedes-Benz retailer running your VIN is the best way to see everything linked to your car.
How long does a Mercedes-Benz recall repair usually take?
It varies by recall. A software update can often be done within an hour, while a hardware fix – like replacing wheel bolts, brake hoses or an airbag – typically takes between one and a few hours at an authorised retailer.
Your retailer will confirm the expected time when you book.
What should I do if I’ve bought a used Mercedes-Benz with an open recall?
Book the free repair in as soon as possible. Recalls stay with the car, so it doesn’t matter that you weren’t the one originally contacted.
It’s illegal for a dealer to knowingly sell a car with an outstanding safety recall, but this doesn’t apply to private sales, which is why it’s worth checking the registration yourself before you buy.
Does my Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or Vito have a recall?
The only way to know is to check each van by registration number or VIN. The Sprinter has the most recalls of any Mercedes-Benz UK van model, so it’s worth checking every vehicle in a fleet.
