Recall 16V935 affects 22 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans for a passenger air bag venting defect. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 22 2017 Metris vans because the passenger frontal air bag has an incorrect Tether Activation Unit and can fail to vent properly during deployment. The defect can reduce front-passenger protection in a crash and increase injury risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger air bag in the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris is built to inflate during a frontal crash and cushion the passenger. Inside the air bag module is a Tether Activation Unit, or TAU, a device that opens a vent so the air bag releases gas in a controlled way after deployment.
On affected vans, the supplier installed the wrong ignitor in the TAU. When a crash requires the passenger frontal air bag to deploy, that incorrect ignitor can keep the TAU from opening the vent. The air bag then does not vent as designed, which changes how it protects the passenger during the crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is not a wear item that makes noise or creates a dashboard symptom during normal driving. The problem only shows up when the passenger frontal air bag deploys in a crash.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 22 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly vented front passenger air bag can leave the passenger with less crash protection than expected, increasing the risk of injury. Schedule the recall repair soon, especially before carrying a front passenger. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag replacement that fixes the improper air bag venting.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 16V935 when you call.
- Ask the Mercedes-Benz dealer whether the van is safe to use before the appointment if you carry a front passenger.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the front passenger air bag covered by recall 16V935. The defect involves an incorrect Tether Activation Unit inside the passenger air bag, so the repair path is replacement, not owner inspection. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program before the recall notice, because all involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 27, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| February 8, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 17, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V935?
Recall 16V935 covers 22 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans with a passenger frontal air bag built with an incorrect Tether Activation Unit. In a crash, the air bag can fail to vent properly. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the front passenger air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 16V935. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag replacement. Reference recall number 16V935 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, and the Mercedes-Benz remedy provides a free front passenger air bag replacement through authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealers.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced front passenger protection in a crash. If the passenger frontal air bag does not vent properly during deployment, it does not protect the front passenger as expected, increasing the risk of injury.
What if I bought my 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your van is included, then contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer and reference recall number 16V935.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V935000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V935 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V935000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →