Mercedes-Benz USA (MBG.DE, MBGAF OTC U.S.) is recalling more than 900 2026 model-year GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE 450 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 580 4MATIC, GLS 580 4MATIC, GLE 450 E 4MATIC, AMG GLE53 4MATIC, AMG GLS63 4MATIC, AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC, GLS 450 4MATIC, and GLS 600 4MATIC vehicles.*
“The passenger air bag fabric may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.,” Mercedes said in the required safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).**
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge as required by U.S. Federal safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 22 May 2026. Owners may contact MB USA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov. ( ID 26V199 or 26V-199)
*AutoInformed on
Chronology
- At the end of February 2026, MB AG was informed by its supplier [Joyson Safety Systems in Mexico- AutoCrat] that certain airbags delivered to the US vehicle production plant might have been built using deviating passenger airbag fabric. Following this initial information, MB AG immediately initiated a plant action based on the affected airbag units supplied. At that point in time, some potentially affected vehicles had already left the plant.
- Up to mid-March 2026, MB AG reviewed the supplier’s test results, which were conducted using specially prepared airbags containing the deviating fabric. MB AG then identified the potentially affected vehicles in the field.
- On 20 March 2026, MB AG determined that a potential safety risk cannot be ruled out and decided to conduct a recall. MB AG can confirm there are no warranty claims, field or service reports, and other information (such as the numbers of deaths and/or injuries) related to this defect in the USA.
**Mercedes- Benz USA Air Bag Recall Affected Models
- Mercedes-Benz/GLE 350 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes-Benz/GLE 450 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes Benz/AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes Benz/AMG GLS63 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes Benz/GLS 580 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes Benz/GLS 450 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes-Maybach/GLS 600 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes Benz/AMG GLE53 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes Benz/GLE 350/2026
- Mercedes Benz/GLE 450E 4MATIC/2026
- Mercedes Benz/GLE 580 4MATIC/2026
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Mercedes-Benz USA 2026 Model-Year Air Bag Recall
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBG.DE, MBGAF OTC U.S.) is recalling more than 900 2026 model-year GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE 450 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 580 4MATIC, GLS 580 4MATIC, GLE 450 E 4MATIC, AMG GLE53 4MATIC, AMG GLS63 4MATIC, AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC, GLS 450 4MATIC, and GLS 600 4MATIC vehicles.*
“The passenger air bag fabric may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.,” Mercedes said in the required safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).**
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge as required by U.S. Federal safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 22 May 2026. Owners may contact MB USA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov. ( ID 26V199 or 26V-199)
*AutoInformed on
Chronology
**Mercedes- Benz USA Air Bag Recall Affected Models
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.