Recall 18V683 covers 4,702 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC vehicles with rear seat belt latch plates that can retract into paneling. Repair is free.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 4,702 2016-2018 GLC300, Glc 350 E, AMG GLC43, and AMG GLC63 vehicles because rear seat belt latch plates can retract into the interior paneling. If rear passengers cannot fasten their seat belts, they face a higher injury risk in a crash, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
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 outboard rear seat belt latch plate is the metal tongue that slides into the buckle. In these 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, it should stay reachable at the rear seat so a passenger can pull the belt across the body and lock it into the buckle before riding.
The problem is in the trim area beside the rear seat, near the C-pillar and rear side paneling. Felt strips that help control the gap between those panels were not installed on some vehicles during production. Without that felt element, the latch plate can retract into the interior paneling instead of staying where a passenger can grab it.
If the latch plate disappears behind the panel, the rear outboard passenger cannot buckle that seat belt until the problem is repaired. There is no warning sign before failure. The condition becomes clear only when someone reaches for the rear seat belt and the latch plate is not accessible.
Who's affected?
Spans five listed GLC variants across the 2016, 2017, and 2018 model years, with seat belt and body structure components included.
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Glc 350 E | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Glc 350 E | body structure |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | seat belt |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | body structure |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | body structure |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 | body structure |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 | body structure |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 | body structure |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 | body structure |
| Units affected | 4,702 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a rear seat belt cannot be fastened, that passenger has a higher risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign before the belt access problem appears, so check the rear belts before carrying passengers. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300, Glc 300, Glc 350 E, AMG GLC43, or AMG GLC63 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free felt-strip installation that keeps rear seat belt latch plates from retracting into the interior paneling.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, or reference recall number 18V683 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2018100002 when you call.
- Check that rear seat passengers can access and buckle each outboard rear seat belt before every trip until the repair is complete.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about scheduling or owner notice timing.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician installs felt strips between the C-pillar and the rear side paneling. That keeps the outboard rear seat belt latch plates from retracting into the interior paneling, so rear passengers can buckle the belts. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 1, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 15, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 31, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 31, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 2, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V683?
Recall 18V683 covers 4,702 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300, Glc 350 E, AMG GLC43, and AMG GLC63 vehicles with rear seat belt latch plates that can retract into the interior paneling. If rear passengers cannot fasten their seat belts, injury risk increases in a crash.
What should I do if my 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300, Glc 350 E, AMG GLC43, or AMG GLC63 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V683. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free repair. Reference recall number 18V683 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2018100002 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will install felt strips between the C-pillar and rear side paneling free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that rear seat passengers can lose access to the seat belt latch plates. If those passengers cannot buckle up, they face an increased risk of injury in a crash.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz GLC used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific GLC is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 18V683.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V683000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V683 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V683000 |
Source documents
-
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 →