Recall 18V207 covers 3,088 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz coupe and cabriolet vehicles for improperly locking front seatbacks. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 3,088 2017-2018 E 400, C 300, and AMG C43 vehicles because the front seatbacks can fail to lock properly on the right side. A seatback that folds forward in a crash increases injury risk, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the seatback locking mechanism free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front seatback lock in these 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz coupes and cabriolets is the mechanism that holds the seatback in its set position. When the lock works correctly, the seatback stays secured during normal driving and continues to support the person in the seat during hard braking or a crash.
A supplier produced a batch of lock levers outside Mercedes-Benz specifications. On affected vehicles, the right side of the front seatback does not lock properly. That leaves the seatback less secure than designed, so it fails to provide the intended support when the vehicle is under force.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner does not get an advance alert from the seat, and the problem is tied to the lock mechanism itself, not to a visible wear pattern or a sound from the seat.
Who's affected?
The scope groups several C and E model variants across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to the same seat assembly.
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63S | seat assembly |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C63S AMG | seat assembly |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 3,088 |
| 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 car.
What's the safety risk?
An unlocked seatback can fold forward in a crash, increasing injury risk for people in the vehicle. There is no warning sign before the locking problem. Schedule the recall repair soon, especially before carrying passengers in affected seat positions. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400, C 300, AMG C63S, C300, AMG C43, AMG C63, or C63S AMG is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front-seatback lock inspection and seatback-lock replacement if needed.
- Reference recall number 18V207 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2018040007 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, and ask the dealer to inspect both front seatbacks before returning the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the front seatback locks and confirms whether the right side of each seatback latches correctly. If a lock is not secure, the technician replaces the seatback lock. The inspection, 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, because all involved vehicles remain covered under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 29, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 5, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| May 25, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 8, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 22, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 29, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V207?
Recall 18V207 covers 3,088 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz coupe and cabriolet vehicles with front seatbacks that fail to lock correctly on the right side. In a crash, an unlocked seatback can fold forward and raise injury risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers inspect the seatback locks and replace the lock as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400, C 300, AMG C63S, C300, AMG C43, AMG C63, or C63S AMG is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V207. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the seatback lock inspection. Reference recall number 18V207 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the front seatback locking system and replace the seatback lock as needed free of charge.
Is it safe to drive before the seatback lock repair?
This recall is not marked do-not-drive, but the defect affects crash protection. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection promptly and ask the dealer whether any seat position or passenger-use guidance applies before your appointment.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then give recall number 18V207 to a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V207000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V207 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V207000 |
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 →