C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Airbag recall...get yours

Old Mar 26, 2018 | 06:20 PM
  #1  
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2005 C230K SS
Airbag recall...get yours

Had this done this morning, took about an hour. They also replaced the steering wheel buttons. The color is off too...
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 08:50 PM
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2005 w203 C230
Really?!
I just received my letter today regarding this issue, and thought...shoot...I really need to clean up and repaint the spare button units I bought before I get a new airbag. You’re reporting they changed out the steering wheel button (assemblies) units too?! The airbag unit is off in color? It looks more ash grey/almost looks like it has a little red in it compared to your original wheel ring...
Thanks!

Last edited by BF_JC230; Mar 26, 2018 at 08:53 PM.
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 09:01 PM
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The fit and finish off the airbag looks terrible. Are you sure they installed it properly?

The 05+ w203s have takata airbags. Earlier model years have Autoliv.
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by tjts1
The fit and finish off the airbag looks terrible. Are you sure they installed it properly?

The 05+ w203s have takata airbags. Earlier model years have Autoliv.
I thought so too...I checked the screws, nothing seems off. I might actually pull it off and reinstall just to make sure.
And yes they are also replacing the trim pieces that have the buttons on them.
Sigh..it looks hideous....
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 10:05 PM
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It all comes as one unit. The finish doesn't match the old faded leather wheel but that's the way they all work.
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 10:08 PM
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Anyone can check their vin here
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/recall

Get this recall done. It can save your life.

Last edited by tjts1; Mar 26, 2018 at 10:16 PM.
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 10:57 PM
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2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
My most recent communication from Mercedes-Benz moved the availability date for my part of Virginia from March to June. I guess it doesn’t become hot and humid enough here and our air bags haven’t deteriorated as much those located a few miles to the south. (I suppose that should be reassuring.)

It’s nice to know that the replacement includes the steering wheel buttons - the previous owners of my car scratched the plastic on mine. I agree that the alignment on yours could use some help.

Last edited by KevinH2000; Mar 26, 2018 at 10:59 PM.
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Old Mar 27, 2018 | 02:18 PM
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Yes, that is true that the whole assembly can be (should be) fitted with the steering wheel buttons as it would have been at the factory. I am just surprised at roughly $200 (retail) PER SIDE they are also being replaced...not just swapping over.
Now...knowing that...do I go for the silver assemblies I painted long ago...or keep it black surround with silver buttons?! It's only six screws...

Also, yes...your single image here definitely looks like they missed the mark/match on our specific car's interior and that's a bit deflating.
Unfortunately...there are "so many" and "confusing" bits of information on interior color, both names, option codes and for what , i.e. plastic or leather dye.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...olor-code.html

Black samples include but are not limited to; 9045, 1874, 221, 211, 121, 111...

This should not have been a problem though for the OEM
- in our case, the face lifted r171 unit. MY interior code is 111 with plastic bits being/ending in 9045/and or 9174.

Thanks for the info all!







Last edited by BF_JC230; Mar 27, 2018 at 03:52 PM.
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Old Mar 27, 2018 | 02:19 PM
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Last edited by BF_JC230; Mar 27, 2018 at 02:20 PM. Reason: showing some quick silver photo shopping...
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Old Mar 27, 2018 | 03:51 PM
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2006 C230 Sport
Until I saw this thread, I never even looked to see if it matched...

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Old Mar 27, 2018 | 08:10 PM
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From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
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You can see the current condition of the plastic around my steering wheel buttons - so I'm hoping that they will still be replacing them by the time they get around to owners in Virginia. The previous owners of my car were tough on the steering wheel as you can see in these pictures. I was fortunate to find a reasonable deal on a replacement steering wheel. Although it's difficult to tell in these pictures due to the effect of the flash, the current wheel and airbag are a good color match.



Original Steering Wheel


Replacement Steering Wheel
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Old Mar 28, 2018 | 12:32 AM
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2005 C230K SS
BTW if you have a tune make sure you flash back to stock before you drop it off...and obviously most of your settings will revert to default.. I was surprised that my seat memory stayed intact.
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Old Mar 28, 2018 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by RWDlifer
BTW if you have a tune make sure you flash back to stock before you drop it off...and obviously most of your settings will revert to default.. I was surprised that my seat memory stayed intact.
Why? We do nothing that would relate to the tune. The bulletin actually says to not connect the scanner, and we aren't paid to. It says to verify no SRS light on, then disconnect the battery, change the airbag, reconnect the battery and verify still no SRS light. That's it.
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Old Mar 28, 2018 | 11:00 AM
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True, but in my experience some dealers will hook your car up to the scanner for reasons unrelated to the visit. Last July I was getting roadforce balancing done and through the glass window in the waiting area I saw my car with the hood up vertical, and the cables going into the car. Even before they started on the wheels. Maybe it's courtesy, or they were doing training, either way anytime I have to drop it off I flash back to stock. Heck, they apparently managed to squeeze in a multi point inspection during the airbag job...didn't ask them to, even though on the invoice it states "customer requested multi point inspection blah blah..."

Last edited by RWDlifer; Mar 28, 2018 at 11:04 AM.
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Old Mar 28, 2018 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by RWDlifer
True, but in my experience some dealers will hook your car up to the scanner for reasons unrelated to the visit. Last July I was getting roadforce balancing done and through the glass window in the waiting area I saw my car with the hood up vertical, and the cables going into the car. Even before they started on the wheels. Maybe it's courtesy, or they were doing training, either way anytime I have to drop it off I flash back to stock. Heck, they apparently managed to squeeze in a multi point inspection during the airbag job...didn't ask them to, even though on the invoice it states "customer requested multi point inspection blah blah..."
The multipoint is a dealership group thing, autonation in our case, requires it. It's more to cover the dealer, as it checks tire and brake condition and notes it on the report. So if you leave on tires with the cord showing and it blows out and you crash, you can't say 'oh but I was just in for service, why didn't they say something'.

As far as flashing, we are under pretty regular instruction to not update without a reason, to the point where warranty won't pay for updates if they weren't justified. So the odds of a tech connecting to you M/E and flashing it for no reason, are very slim.
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Old Mar 28, 2018 | 11:08 PM
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Good to know...either way it takes all of 10 minutes..
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