Airbag Deployment Risk In Certain Mercedes-Benz Metris

Owners of certain Mercedes-Benz Metris vans should be aware of a newly announced safety defect involving a potential airbag deployment failure. The issue affects certain 2020 and 2022–2023 right-hand-drive Metris (447 platform) vehicles and centers around water condensation that may interfere with the airbag control system.

What Is the Defect?

According to Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) and Mercedes-Benz AG (MBAG), increased condensation may accumulate on the air distribution housing of the air conditioning system under certain operating conditions. That moisture can seep onto the airbag control unit positioned beneath the housing.

Over time, this moisture exposure can cause:

• Corrosion in the electrical connector
• Impaired electrical conductivity
• Failure of the airbag system to deploy properly

If the airbag system does not deploy as intended during a crash, the risk of injury increases significantly.

Why This Is Serious

The airbag control unit is part of the vehicle’s occupant restraint system. If corrosion compromises the electrical connector, it can impede airbag deployment in a collision.

That means:

• The airbags may not deploy
• The restraint system may not function as designed
• Occupants may face greater injury risk in a crash

While the issue is linked to specific operating conditions, Mercedes-Benz determined that a potential safety risk cannot be ruled out, prompting a recall decision.

What Caused the Problem?

MBAG determined that:

• The amount of condensation that may collect under certain extreme conditions was not anticipated during development.
• Corrosion traces were found on affected vehicles’ airbag control unit connectors.
• Environmental testing confirmed condensation could form under very specific and extreme operational scenarios.

Importantly:

• The issue is not caused by a supplier defect.
• No anomalies were detected during normal expected vehicle operation.
• Condensation was reproducible only under specific conditions.

However, even if rare, the potential safety implications required action.

Timeline of the Investigation

Between June 28, 2021 and May 13, 2025, Mercedes-Benz AG received 50 field reports related to the issue. In August 2024, the company noticed an increased number of reports involving illumination of the airbag warning lamp during delivery operations. This prompted a formal technical investigation in October 2024.

From October 2024 through February 2025, detailed inspections were conducted on suspect vehicles and retrieved components. During this phase, corrosion was confirmed on the electrical connectors of certain airbag control units.

Throughout the first half of 2025, Mercedes-Benz carried out environmental testing under varying climate and operational conditions to evaluate how condensation could form and affect the components.

Between August and December 2025, further studies examined the progression of corrosion without continuous water exposure and analyzed a very specific operating scenario under which larger volumes of condensation could develop.

After completing its technical review and identifying potentially affected vehicles, Mercedes-Benz determined on January 30, 2026 that a potential safety risk could not be ruled out and decided to initiate a recall. At this time, the company reports no incidents outside of the specific vehicle operation scenario identified during testing.

What Warning Signs Should Owners Look For?

Drivers may notice the airbag warning light illuminated in the instrument cluster. This warning lamp indicates a potential problem with the airbag or occupant restraint system.

If the light appears, the airbag system may not function as intended in a crash, and the vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

What Is the Fix?

Dealers will:

• Install a protective cover on the airbag control unit to prevent condensation exposure

Owner notification schedule:

• Interim notification letters: Expected March 20, 2026
• Final remedy letters: Expected April 2026

Recall identifiers:

• DVUSA Recall Number: VS2KORSRS
• NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-070

Does This Qualify Under California Lemon Law?

If you own a 2020 or 2022–2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris and are experiencing repeated airbag system issues — especially multiple repair attempts related to airbag warning lights or restraint system failures — you may have rights under California’s Lemon Law.

Generally, a vehicle may qualify if:

• The defect substantially impairs use, value, or safety
• The problem occurred during the warranty period
• The manufacturer has had a reasonable number of repair attempts
• The vehicle has been out of service for 30+ cumulative days

An airbag system defect that cannot be properly repaired after multiple attempts could potentially meet these standards.

What Metris Owners Should Do

• Watch for recall notification letters
• If your airbag warning light is on, schedule service immediately
• Keep detailed repair records
• If problems persist after repairs, consult a qualified attorney about your consumer rights

Final Thoughts

While Mercedes-Benz reports that the condensation issue only occurs under very specific conditions, the potential for impaired airbag deployment makes this a serious safety concern.

If you drive a 2020 or 2022–2023 Metris — especially a right-hand-drive model — stay informed and act promptly if warning lights appear. Safety systems are not optional. When they fail, the consequences can be life-altering.