Recall 17V251 covers 12,743 2017 Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach vehicles with front seatbelt pretensioners that can fail in a crash. Repair is free.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 12,743 2017 S550, C300, GLC300, and other models because the front seat seatbelt pretensioners can fail to work properly in a crash. That failure can leave front-seat occupants inadequately restrained and increase injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once Mercedes-Benz makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The front seat seatbelt pretensioner in affected 2017 Mercedes-Benz vehicles is part of the restraint system. In a crash, the pretensioner is supposed to tighten the front seat belt quickly so the belt holds the occupant in the correct position. It works with the air bag system, but it has its own igniter inside the seat belt assembly.
On these vehicles, a supplier production deviation affected the igniters used in some front seat belt pretensioners. The propellant mix inside the igniter was not made to specification. If the igniter does not fire correctly during a crash, the pretensioner does not tighten the belt as designed, leaving the belt without its intended crash-protection function.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the pretensioner igniter, so an owner is not expected to notice a noise, light, smell, or change in normal seat belt feel before a crash.
Who's affected?
The scope crosses S, C, and GLC nameplates, all tied to the same seat-belt pretensioner component.
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C63S AMG | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz S600 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Maybach S600 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Maybach S550 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 12,743 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners fail to work properly, front-seat occupants are not adequately restrained in a crash, increasing injury risk. Until your VIN is checked and the repair is complete, use the seat belt correctly and contact a Mercedes-Benz dealer for repair timing if included. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Mercedes-Benz model is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Mercedes-Benz owner notice dated October 13, 2017, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to confirm repair timing.
- Schedule the free front seat-belt replacement that fixes the pretensioner fault affecting crash restraint.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V251 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
Once the recall repair is available, a Mercedes-Benz technician will replace the front seat belts covered by campaign 17V251. The remedy focuses on the front seat belt assemblies, including the pretensioner function tied to crash protection. Parts and labor will be covered by the recall when the repair opens. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remained under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 11, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 13, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V251?
Recall 17V251 covers 12,743 2017 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with front seat seatbelt pretensioners that fail to function properly in a crash. The defect affects compliance with federal occupant crash protection and seat belt standards. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the front seat belts for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, GLC300, or S550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V251. If it is, call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the front seat belt replacement. Reference recall number 17V251 when you schedule. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. For recall 17V251, Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the affected front seat belts free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V251?
The risk is reduced restraint in a crash. If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, front-seat occupants are not adequately restrained during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The repair path is a free front seat belt replacement at a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What if I bought my 2017 Mercedes-Benz used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then give recall number 17V251 to the dealer service desk when you schedule the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V251000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V251 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V251000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →