If your VIN is in recall 21V032, Mercedes-Benz will fix front seat belt retraction on C 300, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles for free.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 24,550 2017-2021 C 300, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles because the front seat belts can fail to fully retract after use. That condition can make the belt inconvenient to use and raise the risk that an occupant skips it before a crash; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt retractor in the 2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 pulls the belt back after use. It stores the belt inside the B-pillar, the body post beside the front seat. When it works correctly, the belt returns fully to its stowed position and stays ready for the next trip.
On affected vehicles with PRE-SAFE, the retractor sits too close to damping foam inside the B-pillar trim. That spacing came from a development process deviation. The foam can interfere with the belt's return path, so the front seat belt does not fully retract as required by the safety standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner can notice the issue only after the belt fails to return fully to its stowed position after use.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2017-2021 C 300, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 scope, all tied to the front seat belt retractor.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat belt |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat belt |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat belt |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat belt |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat belt |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat belt |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 24,550 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A front seat belt that does not fully retract can feel inconvenient, which can lead an occupant to skip wearing it and increase injury risk in a crash. There is no warning sign before this retraction problem. Keep using the seat belt correctly and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, C300, AMG C43, or AMG C63 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front seat belt retraction check and B-pillar foam adjustment that helps the belt return to its stowed position.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V032 when you call.
- Keep using the seat belt on every trip, and tell the dealer if the front belt does not return to its stowed position.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician checks whether the front seat belts retract fully into their stowed position and adjusts the damping foam inside the B-pillars if needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid to correct this seat belt retraction issue before the recall notice, MBUSA's reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring prior repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact MBUSA customer service for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 29, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| February 26, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 23, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 23, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V032?
Recall 21V032 covers 24,550 2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, C300, AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles with front seat belts that do not fully retract to the stowed position. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the front seat belt retraction and adjust the B-pillar damping foam when needed for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, C300, AMG C43, or AMG C63 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V032. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for recall repair 2021020010. The dealer will inspect the front seat belts and complete the required adjustment for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz says dealers will check the front seat belt retraction and adjust the damping foam within the B-pillars, when needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that a front seat belt that does not fully retract can be inconvenient to use, and an occupant can leave it unworn. That increases the risk of injury in a crash. The free dealer repair is meant to restore proper front seat belt retraction.
What if I bought the Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific C-Class vehicle is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 21V032 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021020010.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V032000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V032 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V032000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 →