Recall 13V236 affects 71 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 and SLK350 vehicles for a passenger airbag OCS defect. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 71 2013 SLK250 and SLK350 vehicles because the occupant classification system can mistake a very light front passenger for a child seat. In a crash that requires airbag deployment, the passenger airbag can be deactivated, increasing injury risk; the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The occupant classification system in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 and SLK350 is the seat-sensing system for the front passenger position. It uses seat information and software to help the air bag system tell the difference between an adult passenger, a child seat, and a very light person. That classification is part of how the vehicle decides the front passenger air bag response.
On affected vehicles, the software does not correctly separate a child seat from a very light person in the front passenger seat. The system reads the seat incorrectly, then passes the wrong occupant classification to the air bag system. The problem is in the classification logic, not in something the owner can adjust by moving the seat or changing a setting.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not feel a change in steering, braking, or engine performance. The issue is inside the seat classification system, so the VIN decides whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
The SLK250 and SLK350 each appear under electrical system software and air bag system components.
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 | air bag system |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 | electrical system software |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 71 |
A matching 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 or SLK350 does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat sensor error can cause the system to read a very light front passenger as a child seat. In a crash that needs passenger airbag deployment, the airbag would stay off, increasing injury risk for that passenger. Schedule the recall repair before carrying a light front passenger. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 or SLK350 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask whether the passenger-seat-cushion and occupant-classification-system replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 13V236 when you call the dealer.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. Mercedes-Benz mailed owner notices on July 26, 2013.
- Call Mercedes-Benz at 1-201-573-0600 with questions about this recall.
What happens at the repair
Mercedes-Benz describes the repair as replacing the passenger side seat cushion, including the occupant classification system. Once the dealer repair is available, a Mercedes-Benz technician will remove the affected cushion assembly and install the replacement parts at no charge under recall 13V236. The recall began on July 26, 2013, so ask the service desk to confirm parts and appointment handling for your VIN before you arrive.
Timeline
| June 4, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 26, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V236?
Recall 13V236 covers 71 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 and SLK350 vehicles with an occupant classification system that can mistake a very light front passenger for a child seat. In a crash that needs airbag deployment, the passenger airbag can be deactivated, increasing injury risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the passenger-side seat cushion and OCS for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 or SLK350 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V236. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule replacement of the passenger-side seat cushion, including the occupant classification system. Reference recall number 13V236 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 13V236, Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the passenger-side seat cushion and occupant classification system free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V236?
The risk is that the front passenger airbag can be turned off for the wrong reason. If the occupant classification system identifies a very light passenger as a child seat, the passenger airbag deactivates. In a crash that needs airbag deployment, that increases the risk of injury.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz SLK250 or SLK350 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 or SLK350 is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall number 13V236.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V236000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-201-573-0600 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V236 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V236000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →