Recall 26V278 covers 16 2026 Mercedes-Benz Cla EVs for front passenger seat belt retractor defects. Repair will be free once available.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 16 2026 Cla 250+ (Ev) and Cla 350 4MATIC (Ev) vehicles because the front passenger seat belt retractor can keep the automatic locking function engaged. When the belt stays locked and cannot extend, a passenger cannot fasten it, increasing injury risk in a crash; the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger seat belt retractor in the 2026 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250+ (Ev) and Cla 350 4MATIC (Ev) is the spool mechanism that lets the belt pull out, retract, and lock when needed. It also includes the child seat safety function, called the Automatic Locking Retractor, which keeps a child seat held tightly after the belt is pulled all the way out.
In the affected vehicles, an error in the supplier's development process can keep that child seat locking function from switching back off. After the function is used, the front passenger belt can stay locked in the retractor. When that happens, the belt cannot be pulled out far enough for a passenger to buckle normally.
When the issue occurs, the front passenger would notice the belt staying locked. The driver would also get an unbelted passenger warning, both as a sound and in the instrument cluster.
Who's affected?
VINs became searchable on May 8, 2026. The listed electric variants use the same front seat belt retractor.
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250+ (Ev) | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz Cla 350 4MATIC (Ev) | seat belt |
| Units affected | 16 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If the front passenger belt locks and will not fasten, that passenger is not properly restrained, which increases injury risk in a crash. Treat the instrument cluster warning or acoustic warning as a reason to leave that seat empty and contact a Mercedes-Benz dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250+ (Ev) or Cla 350 4MATIC (Ev) is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Mercedes-Benz owner letter, expected June 30, 2026, before scheduling the repair.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer after the notice arrives to schedule the free front passenger seat belt retractor replacement that fixes the locked belt.
- Bring the recall notice to the dealer. If the letter has not arrived, reference recall number 26V278 when you call.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat if the belt is locked and cannot extend.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Mercedes-Benz technician will replace the front passenger seat belt covered by the recall. The repair parts and labor will be free. Because these 2026 vehicles would not have been previously subject to this condition, MBUSA is not providing a separate reimbursement notice. Prior out-of-pocket repairs are handled through the existing warranty process instead of a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 1, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| May 8, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 8, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V278?
Recall 26V278 covers 16 2026 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250+ (Ev) and Cla 350 4MATIC (Ev) vehicles with a front passenger seat belt retractor defect. The belt can stay locked and refuse to extend. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt for free.
What should I do if my 2026 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250+ (Ev) or Cla 350 4MATIC (Ev) is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V278. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the front passenger seat belt replacement. Reference recall number 26V278 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz says dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unbelted front passenger. If the retractor stays locked and the belt cannot extend, the passenger cannot fasten the seat belt and is not properly restrained. That increases injury risk in a crash. The dealer repair replaces the affected front passenger seat belt.
When will Mercedes-Benz notify owners?
Mercedes-Benz expects to mail owner notification letters on June 30, 2026. VINs became searchable for this recall on May 8, 2026. You do not need to wait for a letter before checking your VIN and calling a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V278000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V278 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V278000 |
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →