Recall 20V449 affects 56 2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with replaced instrument clusters and seat belt warning defects. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 56 2017-2019 C 300, E 300, and S560 vehicles under recall 20V449 after replacement instrument cluster software left the seat belt reminder without its audible tone and blinking light. Without those reminders, front-seat occupants can forget to buckle up, increasing injury risk in a crash; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The instrument cluster in affected 2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicles is the display panel in front of the driver. It shows speed, warning lights, and seat belt alerts. Its software coding tells the cluster how to warn the driver and front passenger when a belt is unfastened.
On certain C 300, Cls 450, E 300, E300, E 400, E 450, S 450, and S560 vehicles that had the cluster replaced, the replacement process loaded the wrong seat belt warning scenario. The warning system still shows a solid seat belt light, but it does not switch to the required blinking light and audible tone. That means the vehicle gives a weaker alert when the driver or front passenger rides unbelted.
An owner would notice the problem only when driving with a front seat belt unfastened. The warning light stays on solid, and the expected blinking lamp and warning tone are absent.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 Mercedes-Benz model lines across 2017-2019, with the same SCN coding issue tied to electrical software and seat belt warning systems.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | electrical system software |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | electrical system software |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | electrical system software |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E 450 | electrical system software |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E 450 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz S 450 | electrical system software |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz S 450 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 | electrical system software |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 | electrical system software |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 | electrical system software |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560 | electrical system software |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 56 |
| 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?
Without the audible warning tone and blinking seat belt light, front seat occupants can miss the reminder to buckle up, increasing injury risk in a crash. If the warning lamp and tone are absent when someone drives unbuckled, treat that absence as the warning sign and buckle up before moving. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300, Cls 450, E 300, E300, E 400, E 450, S 450, or S560 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free instrument cluster software update that restores the seat belt warning tone and blinking light.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V449 when you call.
- Buckle both front seat belts before every trip and confirm passengers do the same until the software update is complete.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about recall number 20V449.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the instrument cluster software so the seat belt warning system uses the proper warning light and audible tone behavior. The software update is free under the recall, with labor covered. Mercedes-Benz is not offering a separate reimbursement program because the involved vehicles were not previously subject to this condition and remain covered under the new vehicle warranty. If you have prior paperwork, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| July 31, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 7, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| August 7, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 8, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 29, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 29, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V449?
Recall 20V449 covers 56 2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicles that had an instrument cluster replaced. The replacement software can leave the seat belt warning as a solid light without the blinking light and audible tone. Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the instrument cluster software for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 300, E300, E 400, E 450, Cls 450, S 450, or S560 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V449. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the instrument cluster software update. Reference recall 20V449 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2020080015 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will update the instrument cluster software free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that front seat occupants lose the audible tone and blinking warning light that remind them to buckle their seat belts. Without those reminders, an occupant can forget the seat belt and face higher injury risk in a crash.
What if I bought this 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 specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 20V449.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V449000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V449 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V449000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →