Recall 18V515 covers 345 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Cls 450 vehicles for an OCS defect. Repair is free at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 345 2018-2019 E 300, E 400, AMG E63S, E43 AMG, and Cls 450 vehicles because the occupant classification system was not calibrated correctly. If a child seat is in the front seat, the passenger air bag can stay active 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 Occupant Classification System in these 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz E 400, AMG E63S, E 300, E43 AMG, and Cls 450 vehicles is built into the front passenger seat cushion. It reads the passenger seat and tells the restraint system whether the front passenger air bag should stay active or be turned off, including when a child seat is placed there.
On recalled vehicles, the OCS was calibrated with the passenger seat cushion in the wrong position. That means the sensor learned the wrong reference point for the seat. With that incorrect calibration, the restraint system can read a child seat as a condition that leaves the passenger air bag active instead of deactivating it.
The warning sign is the PASSENGER AIRBAG ON / OFF lamp in the lower center console. Check that lamp before using the front passenger seat, especially if a child restraint has been placed there.
Who's affected?
Spans five Mercedes-Benz model lines across 2018-2019, all tied to the same air bag system.
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | air bag system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | air bag system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG | air bag system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 345 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a child seat is placed in the front passenger seat while the passenger air bag remains active, a crash increases the risk of injury to the child. Check the PASSENGER AIRBAG ON / OFF lamp before using that seat, and schedule the seat cushion replacement soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz E 400, AMG E63S, E 300, E43 AMG, or Cls 450 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front passenger seat-cushion replacement that fixes the occupant classification calibration problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V515 when you call.
- Avoid placing a child seat in the front passenger seat until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the front passenger seat cushion covered by the recall. The repair is free, including parts and labor. This repair addresses the seat cushion and occupant classification system calibration issue tied to the front passenger air bag. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since the affected vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 3, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 17, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 3, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V515?
Recall 18V515 covers 345 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz E 400, AMG E63S, E 300, E43 AMG, and Cls 450 vehicles with an Occupant Classification System calibration problem. A Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the front passenger seat cushion for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz E 400, AMG E63S, E 300, E43 AMG, or Cls 450 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V515. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the front passenger seat cushion replacement. Reference recall number 18V515 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion free of charge. Mercedes-Benz customer service is available at 1-800-367-6372.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury to a child in a front passenger child seat during a crash. Recall 18V515 says the Occupant Classification System calibration problem can prevent the passenger air bag from deactivating when a child seat is in the front seat.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V515000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V515 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V515000 |
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 →