Summary
The Mercedes-Benz B Class has 11 recalls spanning 2006 through 2019, with the most serious being a steering shaft universal joint that can loosen and separate on 2017 models, causing complete loss of steering control. There is also a transmission drive belt that can fail on 2011 CVT-equipped models, cutting drive power and leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate in traffic.
The 2019 model year has an emergency call system where the communications module can lose power during a crash and transmit the wrong GPS location to emergency services, potentially delaying a response. On 2018 models, a software issue can block a portion of the rearview camera image while reversing, reducing visibility behind the vehicle.
The 2015 model year carries two separate issues: a passenger seat sensor that can misclassify occupants, either suppressing the front passenger airbag when an adult is seated or failing to suppress it when a child seat is installed, and an Easy-Vario rear seat option where mounting screws may be missing on one side, allowing the seat to lift in a crash and preventing the seatbelt anchors from holding properly.
On 2014 models, fuses in the passenger-side interior fuse box may have been installed incorrectly, potentially disabling several systems including the windshield wipers, instrument cluster, and passenger airbag indicator. The 2013 model year has two concerns: the power steering control unit can corrode and fail, causing a sudden increase in steering effort particularly at low speeds, and on gasoline-engined examples the vacuum line connection to the brake booster can break, reducing braking assistance and extending stopping distances.
Going further back, 2006 B200 and B200T models have wiring insulation on the combination switch that can wear through and cause the front or rear wipers to malfunction. Those same 2006 vehicles also have an owner's manual error containing incorrect instructions for securing child restraints in the rear seat.
