Recall 19V130 affects 22,637 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz coupes and cabriolets for front seatbacks that do not lock. Dealer inspection and seatback-lock replacement are free.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 22,637 2017-2018 C 300, E 400, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 coupes and cabriolets because the front seatbacks can fail to lock on the right side. In a crash, an unlocked seatback can fold forward and increase injury risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the front seats free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seatback lock on these 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 400, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles is the latch mechanism that holds the front seatback in its set position. It is supposed to lock both sides of the seatback so the seat stays upright during normal driving and when the occupant relies on it for support.
In affected vehicles, the right side of the front seatback lock was built with parts from a supplier batch that was out of tolerance. That production deviation means the lock does not always engage properly. The left side has a switch that detects an improper lock, but the right side issue is the focus of NHTSA campaign 19V130.
There is no warning sign before failure. Mercedes-Benz says the driver will not receive advance warning because of how the seatback locking problem happens.
Who's affected?
Covers five Mercedes-Benz model lines across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 22,637 |
| 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 vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, an unlocked seatback can fold forward and increase the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the lock fails, so confirm your VIN and schedule the inspection and repair with the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 400, C300, AMG C43, or AMG C63 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front-seatback lock inspection and replacement that addresses the right-side latch problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V130 when you call.
- Use extra care with the front seatbacks until the dealer repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects whether the front seatback locks correctly on the affected side and replaces the seatback lock if it does not. Parts and labor are covered by the recall, so the dealer repair is free. MBUSA is not offering a separate reimbursement program because all involved vehicles remain under the new vehicle warranty. If you already paid for related seatback lock work, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies to your prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| February 26, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 12, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| March 12, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 26, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 23, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 12, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V130?
Recall 19V130 covers 22,637 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 400, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles with front seatbacks that do not properly lock on the right side. In a crash, the seatback can fold forward and increase injury risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the seatback lock and replace it as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 400, C300, AMG C43, or AMG C63 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V130. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the seatback-lock inspection under recall 19V130. The dealer will replace the seatback lock as needed, free of charge.
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 mechanism and replace the seatback lock as needed, with parts and labor covered.
Is it safe to drive with recall 19V130 open?
The recall filing does not include a do-not-drive order. The risk is tied to a crash: if the seatback is not locked correctly, it can fold forward and increase injury risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and ask whether to limit front-seat use before the appointment.
When were owners notified about recall 19V130?
Mercedes-Benz mailed an interim owner letter on April 12, 2019. The source filing said owners would receive a second notice when the remedy became available. The remedy status is now available, so an included vehicle can be scheduled with a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V130000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V130 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V130000 |
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 →