Its Shop Time Mondays: Honda And Mercedes-Benz Are In The Hot Seat

1. Walk-In Seatbacks May Stay Unlatched

An unlocked second row left outboard seatback increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V170000

Manufacturer Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Components SEATS

Potential Number of Units Affected 254,568

Summary

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats have a lever to fold the seatback and slide the seat forward to access the third row seats. Due to a manufacturing error, if the walk-in release lever is used to fold a fully reclined left outboard seatback forward, the seatback may stay in the unlocked position (free-folding) or unexpectedly unlock without engaging the walk-in or recliner lever.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will confirm proper operation of the second row left outboard seatback, and install a support bracket to the seat recliner. If the seatback cannot lock, dealers will replace the seatback frame assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X0R.

Rear Seat Belt May be Unable to be Latched

If the rear seat passengers cannot fasten their seat belts, they have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

2. NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V177000

Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Components STRUCTURE, SEAT BELTS

Potential Number of Units Affected 121,861

Summary

Mercedes Benz USA LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, 2016-2019 GLC300 4Matic, 2016-2018 GLC300, 2018 GLC63 AMG 4Matic, and 2018-2019 GLC350e 4Matic vehicles. The seat belt latch plates (the parts that insert into the buckles) for the outboard rear seats may retract into the interior paneling, preventing the occupants from being able to use the seat belts.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a buffer to the c-pillar paneling, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.