Recall 12V496 affects 60 2012 Braun Entervan vehicles with swapped seat covers that block side airbag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised Braun dealer.
Braun is recalling 60 2012 Entervan vehicles under recall 12V496 because aftermarket seat covers were installed on the wrong seats, placing the side-airbag stitching where it cannot work. In a crash, the seat cover can block side airbag deployment and increase injury risk; the Braun dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The seat cover in this 2012 Braun Entervan recall is not just upholstery. The front seat has a side air bag, and the cover is designed with the correct opening and "SRS AIRBAG" label so the air bag path matches the seat it is installed on.
On affected Entervans, aftermarket seat covers were installed on the wrong sides: the driver cover went on the passenger seat, and the passenger cover went on the driver seat. That puts the SRS AIRBAG label on the inboard seat bolster, which shows the cover is not aligned the way the seat and air bag system were designed to work.
There is no warning sign before failure. The visible clue is the SRS AIRBAG label sitting on the inboard side of the seat instead of in the correct outboard air bag area.
Who's affected?
The scope names both the seat assembly and side air bag for the same 2012 Entervan.
| 2012 Braun Entervan | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2012 Braun Entervan | side air bag |
| Units affected | 60 |
A matching 2012 Braun Entervan does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrectly installed seat covers can block side airbag deployment from the seat bolster during a crash, increasing injury risk for occupants. There is no warning sign before a crash that confirms the side airbag will deploy through the cover. Have the seat-cover installation inspected and corrected. Repair will be free at any franchised Braun dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Braun Entervan is included in this recall.
- Call Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359 to confirm the current repair path for the seat-cover inspection.
- Reference recall number 12V496 when you call or schedule service.
- Schedule the free seat-cover inspection and correction that fixes the incorrect side-airbag label placement.
- Avoid moving the seat covers between seats until Braun inspects the installation.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Braun technician inspects the aftermarket seat covers and corrects the installation if the driver and passenger covers were swapped. The work is free under the recall once the repair is available. The technician checks the seat cover position, including the side with the SRS AIRBAG label, then repositions or corrects the cover installation as needed. If your VIN is included, ask the Braun service desk whether this campaign is open for your vehicle before scheduling.
Timeline
| October 9, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 31, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V496?
Recall 12V496 covers 60 2012 Braun Entervan vehicles with aftermarket seat covers that were installed on the wrong seats. The covers use special stitching for side airbag deployment, so incorrect placement can block the side airbag in a crash and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2012 Braun Entervan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Entervan is included in recall 12V496. If it is, contact a Braun dealer or Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359 to schedule the seat-cover inspection and correction. Reference recall number 12V496 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 12V496, Braun dealers inspect the aftermarket seat covers and correct the installation as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is blocked side airbag deployment in a crash. The affected seat covers were built with special stitching on one side, and incorrect seat placement prevents the cover from opening the way the side airbag needs, increasing injury risk for vehicle occupants.
What if I bought my Braun Entervan used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN because the year and model are not enough, then contact a Braun dealer or Braun customer service with recall number 12V496.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V496000 |
|---|---|
| Braun customer service | 1-800-488-0359 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V496 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V496000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →