The problem
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly. If the plastic cover is loose during the engagement of the buckle tongue to the latch mechanism, the buckle could unlatch.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the seat belt buckles. If either the driver or front passenger seat belt buckle is found to be defective, it will be replaced.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 99V-328 (99V328000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Component | Seat belts › Front › Anchorage |
| Report date | November 22, 1999 |
| Owners notified | December 29, 2000 |
| Vehicles affected | 85,970 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seat belts
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 99V-328 repair free?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the seat belt buckles. If either the driver or front passenger seat belt buckle is found to be defective, it will be replaced.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 85,970 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.