Daimler Recalls 1.2 Million Cars to Fix Airbag Flaw

Daimler AG is recalling an estimated 1.2 million Mercedes-Benz cars and crossover vehicles worldwide to fix electrical problems that could cause the driver’s frontal airbag to deploy when it shouldn’t.

The campaign is not related to the 351,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles targeted in China last weekend that will have their explosion-prone Takata Corp. airbag inflators replaced.

The new callback involves 2012-2018 model A-, B-, C- and E-Class luxury cars and CLA small sport sedans, GLA small crossovers and GLC midsize SUVs. The carmaker says about 495,000 vehicles are in the U.S., 400,000 are in the U.K., roughly 250,000 are in Germany and 75,000 are in Canada.

The new recall will repair a broken “clock spring” connector and insufficient electric grounding in the steering wheel that could trigger the airbag. Affected vehicles are certain 2012-2018 model A-, B-, C- and E-Class luxury cars and CLA small sport sedans, GLA small crossovers and GLC midsize SUVs.

Mercedes reports a few cases of minor abrasions and bruises but not fatalities or major injuries caused by the problem.