The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have experienced side air bag deployments in the absence of a crash.
The risk
Inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.
The fix
Dealers will replace the driver and passenger door mounted side air bag modules. At the same time, dealers will also inspect the condition of the side air bag module wiring within the doors and replace that wiring if there is any evidence of damage.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 00V-388 (00V388000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 2000-110004 |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Component | Air bags › Side/window |
| Report date | November 28, 2000 |
| Owners notified | February 2, 2001 |
| Vehicles affected | 16,255 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 00V-388 repair free?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger door mounted side air bag modules. At the same time, dealers will also inspect the condition of the side air bag module wiring within the doors and replace that wiring if there is any evidence of damage.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 16,255 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.