Recall - Driver Air Bag Replacement: Overview
FILE:SERVICE: GROUP 00 OF SERVICE INFORMATION BINDER
PARTS: GROUP I OF INFORMATION - PARTS & ACCESSORIES BINDER
Campaign No. 2006020005, March 2006
TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS
SUBJECT:
MODEL 203, MODEL YEAR 2005-2006
REPLACE DRIVER AIRBAG
This Recall Campaign has been initiated because DCAG has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Model Year 2005 - 2006 C-Class vehicles (see VIN range down below) with regard to the driver's airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently conducted low-risk out-of-position/unbelted airbag deployment tests on a Mercedes-Benz C-Class "Sport Sedan" produced between May 2004 and November 2005. Results of this testing included values which exceeded the permitted neck injury score for a dummy simulating an unbelted female driver of extremely small stature located extremely close to a deploying airbag.
DaimlerChrysler believes that the test readings in question reflect differences between the crash test dummy used in this type of test and humans, and do not represent a risk in real world crash situations. In spite of this belief that the current system is safe in real world accident situations, DaimlerChrysler has developed a new driver airbag module, which will be installed in the steering wheel on all vehicles subject to the recall.
Please review the Effective Serial Number Chart.
Shown is a sample copy of a letter which owners of the affected vehicles will receive.
Prior to performing this Recall Campaign:
^ Please check VMI to insure the vehicle is involved and to determine if the vehicle has been previously repaired.
^ Please review the entire Recall Campaign bulletin.
Approximately 60,070 vehicles are involved.
Effective Serial Number Range
Note:
Every vehicle in the VIN range may not be included in the campaign. VMI must always be checked before performing campaigns to verify that the campaign is required on a specific vehicle. VMI always overrides the bulletin in reference to a specific vehicle's inclusion in a particular campaign. Please also note that Recall and Service Campaigns do not expire and may also be performed on a vehicle with a vehicle status indicator.
Procedure
WARNING!
Risk of injury. Injuries may result when performing testing or repair work on airbags. Prior to performing the following procedure carefully review and adhere to the safety instructions as described in the following WIS documents: AS91.00-Z-0001-01A, AH91.00-P-0002-01B, AH91.00-P-0004-01A and AH91.00-P-0006-01A.
Note:
^ All airbags returned for warranty consideration must be shipped in the original container, observing all applicable safety regulations concerning the shipping of warranty components classified as hazardous material. Do not deploy the airbags prior to shipping. Package recalled airbag modules in the same fiberboard packaging in which you received the replacement airbag modules. Ship airbag modules by GROUND transportation only, to MBUSA Jacksonville Warranty Inspection.
^ The shipping of airbag modules, a hazardous material, must be done in accordance with the rules and regulations in Title 49 CFR (the U.S. Department of Transportation's Hazardous Materials Shipping Regulations). Refer to the "Hazardous Materials Shipping/Guidance" section shown to assist you on how to properly mark label package and document this hazardous material for transportation.
1. Move steering wheel to fully extended position.
WARNING!
Risk of explosion caused by oxyhydrogen gas. Risk of poisoning and caustic burns caused by swallowing battery acid. Risk of injury caused by burns to skin and eyes from battery acid or when handling damaged lead-acid batteries.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable.
3. Remove two screws (arrows, Figure 1) located in back of steering wheel.
CAUTION!
The airbag unit is still attached to the steering wheel with electrical connectors.
4. Gently lift airbag out of steering wheel.
5. Remove orange connector locks (arrows, Figure 2).
6. Disconnect green (A) and yellow (B) squib electrical connectors.
7. Disconnect multifunction steering wheel electrical connector (C).
8. Remove airbag.
9. Install new airbag (Figure 3) in reverse order.
10. Connect battery ground cable.
11. Check function of new steering wheel switches and horn.
12. Connect Star Diagnosis; read out and erase fault codes and event memory.
13. Disconnect Star Diagnosis.
Special Tools
Parts Information
Note:
^ Please be aware that only the part number(s) referenced in the Campaign Bulletin is approved for use to repair the vehicle. Repairs performed using any other part(s) will not have been performed in accordance with the campaign. Accordingly, warranty claims submitted with reference to an improper part number(s) will be denied.
^ The following allowable labor operation should be used when submitting a warranty claim for this repair:
Warranty Information