Recall 19V788 covers 29,720 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicles for front seat belt buckle detection faults. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 29,720 2018-2019 E 300, E 450, and AMG E63S vehicles under recall 19V788 because correctly fastened front seat belts can be detected as unfastened. If that deactivates the electric PRE-SAFE function and seat belt pretensioners, injury risk increases in a crash; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt buckle on affected 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicles is more than a latch. It holds the belt tongue in place and tells the vehicle whether the front occupant is buckled. That signal matters because the PRE-SAFE function and belt pretensioner depend on the buckle reading the belt as fastened.
On these vehicles, a supplier production deviation left some front seat belt buckles outside the intended specification. The buckle housing and related parts can misread a correctly fastened belt, especially when the latch plate sits in the buckle at an angle. When that happens, the vehicle treats the belt as unfastened and can deactivate the PRE-SAFE function and pretensioner for that front seat.
Owners should look for the seat belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster and listen for the warning signal. Those warnings mean the vehicle is not recognizing the front belt as properly fastened, even when the latch is clicked into place.
Who's affected?
Spans E-Class, CLS, AMG GT, GLC, and G-Class models from both covered model years, all tied to the same seat-belt scope.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E 450 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63S | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63S | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC350E | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz G 550 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz G63 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 29,720 |
| 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 vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
The electric PRE-SAFE function and seat belt pretensioners can fail to deploy during a crash, increasing injury risk. A warning signal and the seat belt warning lamp alert you to the issue, so schedule service promptly if either appears. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz model is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front seat belt buckle inspection and replacement as needed.
- Reference recall number 19V788 when you call, and bring the owner notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one to you.
- Keep every seat belt fastened until the repair is complete, and ask the dealer to inspect any seat belt warning or restraint-system warning before your appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the front seat belt buckles and replaces any buckle that needs replacement. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. This recall is open, so the dealer can perform the inspection and any required buckle replacement now. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all involved vehicles remain under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 1, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 8, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| November 8, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 31, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 31, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 13, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V788?
Recall 19V788 covers 29,720 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with front seat belt buckles that can incorrectly detect a fastened belt as unfastened. That fault can deactivate the electric PRE-SAFE function and seat belt pretensioners. Mercedes-Benz dealers inspect the buckles and replace them as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V788. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the front seat belt buckle inspection. Reference recall 19V788 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2020020017 when you call. The 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 inspect the front seat belt buckles and replace them as necessary free of charge, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the electric PRE-SAFE function and seat belt pretensioners can fail to deploy during a crash, increasing injury risk. This recall does not include a do-not-drive order, but affected owners should schedule the dealer inspection and repair promptly.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your exact Mercedes-Benz is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall 19V788 or recall number 2020020017.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V788000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V788 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V788000 |
Source documents
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Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation 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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →