Recalls: Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class
2014 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class Diesel: oil leak and fire hazard
In January 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the OM651 turbo-diesel engine that were available for sale during 2014. In these vehicles, the seal ring between the timing chain tensioner and the engine may leak oil – this could result in a hazard for other road users and, in extreme cases, a fire risk (PRA 2015/14509).
2012-13 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: potential loss of drive
In July 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale from 1 September 2012 to 30 June 2013. Under extreme driving conditions, the drive shaft retaining rings in these vehicles may break – this could cause a loss of drive, creating a hazard to the vehicle occupants and other road users (PRA 2015/14802).
2014 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: airbags may not deploy
In August 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale from 8 September 2014 to 7 November 2014. In these vehicles, fuses within the interior fuse box may become loose – this could cause various systems to fail and potentially incorrect deployment of the airbags. Incorrect deployment of the airbags in the event of a collision could increase the risk of injury to occupants (PRA 2015/14844).
2012-13 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: loss of power braking assistance
In July 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia prior to from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013. In these vehicles, the connection on the brake booster vacuum hose could break and cause a loss of power braking assistance. As such, the driver would have to apply greater force to the brake pedal to reduce vehicle speed and there was an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please seePRA 2017/16170.
2016 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: front passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
In July 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale from 1 October 2016 to 1 December 2016. In these vehicles, the propellant mixing ratio in the igniters of the front passenger airbag assembly may not meet specification. In the event of deployment, the front passenger airbag may therefore not deploy as designed, thereby increasing the risk of injury for the front passenger. For the recalled vehicles, the front passenger airbag assembly was to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please seePRA 2017/16195.
2015-17 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: starting current limiter could overheat
In October 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 31 January 2015 to 31 January 2017. If the starter were to become blocked due to prior damage and if multiple and/or extended start attempts were made, then the starting current limiter could be electrically overloaded and overheat. At worst, this could cause nearby components to ignite and cause a fire. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16367.
2012-17 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: deployment of driver’s airbag
In February 2018, recall RC2437/A was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from March 2012 to September 2017. If the steering column was not sufficiently grounded and the steering column switch was damaged or faulty, an electrostatic discharge could cause the driver’s airbag to deploy. If these conditions occurred, an airbag warning message in the instrument cluster display and a red airbag indicator lamp (signalling that the steering column module was damaged/faulty) would alert the driver. If the airbag deployed in the absence of a collision, it could injure and distract the driver. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16572.
2018 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: front passenger airbag may not deactivate
In January 2019, recall campaign RC2594 was issued for 2018 model year Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 March 2018 to 2 May 2018. In these vehicles, the automatic occupant detection function for the front passenger seat may not comply with specifications. If a rearward-facing child seat was installed in the passenger seat, the front passenger airbag may not be deactivated as intended and could therefore be deployed in the event of a collision – this increased the risk of injury for the child. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17304.
2016-18 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: front passenger seat detection
In August 2020, recall campaign RC2749 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 April 2016 to 28 February 2018. In the front passenger seat, an installed child seat may be identified as a person, or a lightweight person may be identified as a child seat. If the front passenger seat occupant was misidentified, then:
- The front passenger airbag may not deploy as intended, despite the presence of a person in the front passenger seat;
- The front passenger airbag may deploy, despite a child seat being installed.
In the event of a collision, there was an increased risk of injury or death to the person sitting in that seat in the event of a collision. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18462.
2019-20 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class with M282 engine (1.3-litre turbo): oil leak
In October 2020, recall campaign RC2819 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles that had 1.3-litre M282 turbocharged petrol engines and were available for sale in Australia from 1 December 2019 to 31 March 2020. In these vehicles, engine oil may escape from the turbocharger oil feed line, leaking onto the underfloor panelling and the road. If the engine oil came into contact with hot components in the engine compartment, it could cause a fire. Furthermore, oil leaking onto the road would increase the risk of a collision for other road users. Both of these consequences could increase the risk of a collision and injury for vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18612.
2017 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: faulty universal joint in the steering shaft
In July 2021, recall campaign RC2894 was issued for 2017 Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles. A component in the universal joint of the steering shaft was not manufactured to specifications and this, over time, may impair the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle. If the steering did not perform as expected, there was an increased risk of a collision and therefore injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001672.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class: ‘Power Steering Malfunction, Service Required’
In June 2014, Mercedes-Benz USA issued Service Bulletin LI46.35-P-059241 for Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class vehicles with VINs preceding WD#246####J251692 or WD#246####N085775. After the engine was started, the instrument cluster may display the warning message ‘Power Steering Malfunction, Service Required’, an acoustic warning would sound and the steering would feel sluggish. Furthermore,
- No faults would be logged in the steering control unit; and,
- Fault code C063100 would be logged in the ESP control unit and fault code U013187 would be logged in the instrument cluster control unit.
According to the service bulletin, these symptoms could be due to:
- Faulty contact of power supply to the electric steering system; or,
- A component fault in the control unit of the electric steering system.
Initially, the power supply to the electric steering was to be checked. If the problem was still present, then the control unit/motor unit for the electric steering was to be replaced.
Mercedes-Benz W246 B 200 CDI: timing chain/tensioner wear
For the OM651 turbo-diesel engine, there have been reports of wear of the simplex timing chain and/or chain tensioner at higher mileages. Since the chain is installed on the transmission side of the engine, access is restricted and replacement is expensive.
